Avoid this mistake after writing your own affirmations for over a year
Yes, I wrote personalized affirmations for more than 300 days in a row back in 2021.
But after putting in all that hard work and dedication…
After learning so much about myself…
After growing into the belief that I do deserve better and I can actually have it…
After developing more and more confidence to start doing the things that will yield me that “better“ life I dreamed of living…
I made a huge mistake.
I forgot to keep going.
THE TRAP OF FEELING INVINCIBLE AFTER WRITING AFFIRMATIONS FOR A LONG TIME
Once you write affirmations for months and months, you start to feel the change that’s happening within you.
I’ve heard some people say it’s because you’re literally rewiring your brain and creating new neurological pathways.
I say it’s because you inner voice has actually become accustomed to cheering you on instead of being a hater.
The thing about change is theres an old way…
And theres a new way…
Unfortunately, your old way has a lot more skin in the game than your new way.
So, when times get hard and you’ve broken your affirmation writing routine “because you’ve got this…“
Guess which way of doing things is going to be on supercharge as an auto response?
THE OLD WAY!
THE REAL REASON YOU MAY FALTER ON YOUR AFFIRMATION JOURNEY
Let’s say you’re 30 years old.
And you didn’t know you could change the negative self talk that permeates your inner voice until a year ago.
So, for the last 365 days, you’ve been writing your own affirmations…
Making them personalized to you…
Specific to what you’re going through…
And they’ve been working so well that you now automatically reframe your negative thoughts without having to write them down on paper and think through what words will best combat each thought.
So, you stop writing affirmations all together.
You’ve kept your affirmation journal handy, but you don’t openi it daily anymore.
You’re no longer spending time debunking the thoughts you have; finding out whether they’re made up feelings that are consuming you or actual facts that are true of you.
A few months go by and you think you still feel fine…
Something’s different – but you’re sure it’ll be okay because you were literally just high on life, feeling super confident in who you are, how you show up in the world, knowing you deep within your soul that you deserve to take care of you in the ways you desire to be taken care of….
Another month goes by…
Something is definitely off – you can’t really put your finger on what it is; but life is kind of lifeless, like a gloomy day with overcast skies and endless rain…
There’s a doom and gloom that hovers around you now – it feels odd, but familiar…
And then it hits you…
The only thing that changed in the last 3 months is the fact that you stopped intentionally writing affirmations.
HOW TO PREVENT THE INVINCIBLE TRAP FROM HAPPENING TO YOU
The best way to keep yourself from succumbing to the old way of thinking and feeling – is to maintain your affirmation writing practice some way, some how.
Every little bit counts…
Even when you don’t think it counts.
Remember the example I shared in the previous section?
The old way has 29 years to the new way’s 1 year.
I wouldn’t expect a 1 year old infant to be stronger than a 29 year old body builder. So, how is this self care skill any different?
29 years of doing something the same way, untamed, and unruly will always be stronger than 12 months of trying a new way of doing things.
BUT!
In time…
The new way way can continue gaining strength…
The scales can eventually be balanced…
And on that day, should times get hard and you haven’t written your own affirmations in a while, you can be confident that you mind won’t auto revert to shaming you, guilt tripping you, crippling you with feelings of fear, doubt, unworthiness, and unproductiveness.
You can’t hide from your negative self talk.
It will always be a part of the story of you.
An old habit will always be an old habit. It will win in a battle against a weakened new habit – simply because it’s older, stronger, and more experienced.
🤎 LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY?
The CoResting Circle is my self care community where busy women make self care a habit – one intentional moment at a time, together.
You’re invited to join us so you’re not alone in remembering to write your affirmations and prevent negative self talk from creeping back in and stealing your peace.
Your self care awaits,
Kahdija Imari
Self Care Strategist
Founder of COCO LOVE™