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Keys to Self Care: Positive Affirmations vs. Afformations and Why It Matters

Teri Karjala • Aug 28, 2018

The power of positive thinking. We’ve all heard that phrase, and yet the majority of us still fall into patterns of harsh negativity.  I’m not smart enough to get that promotion. I’m too out of shape to train for a 5K. I’m not strong enough to walk away from this destructive relationship, this is what I deserve. 
 
There’s an old saying, water seeps to its own level. And when your thoughts are perpetually negative, your life sinks to that level.

But think about the opposite effect, the way your life would change if you could train your brain to instinctively think positively! This is where positive affirmations and afformations come into play.

Positive Affirmations vs. Afformations

Positive affirmations are statements that can be used to overcome self-sabotaging behavior and negative thinking patterns. By repeating these phrases, and believing in them, positive changes will manifest in your life. Think of it as exercise for your brain: we do sit-ups or pushups regularly, to improve our body’s strength. When we repeat positive affirmations regularly, we train our brains to become stronger—more positive, and more resilient.

Our top 10 favorite positive affirmations include the following, though any positive statement that resonates with you will work just fine:

• I am love. I am purpose. I was made with divine intention.
• I don’t sweat the small stuff.
• I can. I will. End of story.
• I am in charge of how I feel today, and I am choosing happiness.
• I am my own superhero.
• I am enough.
• I let go of all that no longer serves me.
• I deserve the best, and I accept the best now.
• I am going to make myself so proud.
• I refuse to give up because I have not tried all possible ways.

Repeating positive affirmations can help you control feelings of frustration, anger or impatience; raise your confidence before an important meeting or presentation; overcome bad habits; improve your self-esteem and improve your productivity.

We recommend repeating your positive affirmations several times every day—especially when you find yourself engaging in negative thoughts or behaviors.

Positive afformations, on the other hand, serve the same purpose as positive affirmations…but are based on the principal that the subconscious mind responds more effectively to questions rather than statements. An afformation is simply the question form of an affirmation:

Affirmation: I deserve the best. I accept the best now.

Afformation: Why do I deserve the best? How can I accept the best now?

Asking your brain questions rather than making statements subconsciously triggers your brain to search for an answer. Be careful not to ask yourself disempowering questions, for example, Why don’t I have the best? Why don’t I accept the best? This will work against reaching your goal of positive life change.

At our Denver-area counseling center, we use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Therapy), which leverage the power of positive affirmations while tapping on various meridian points in the body. This therapeutic modality is highly effective for helping our clients overcome phobias and eliminate the mental blocks standing between them and happiness.

Whatever approach is right for you—positive affirmations, positive afformations, EFT therapy or a combination of the three—training your brain to intuitively default to positivity won’t happen without consistency and commitment. But the power of positive thinking is real, and can transform your life.

Free Download: The Little Book of Self-Care

In our mission to find happiness and achieve a rich, fulfilling life, we need many tools. This guide to self-care can help you give your mind and body what it needs to attract positive energy into your life. Download the guide for free, or follow us on Facebook for tips for improving your day-to-day life. Just enter your name and email address below and click the Download the Book button!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Teri Karjala is a Licensed Professional Counselor & Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the founder and Executive Director of Creative Counseling Center, LLC. Working in the field since 1999, Teri and her team of therapists specializes in counseling for those who have experienced trauma. They work with children as young as age 2, as well as teens and adolescents, adults, seniors, families, and couples.

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