Why Affirmations don’t necessarily work

Do you use affirmations? I confess that, while I fully appreciate the power of our thoughts and our words, I sometimes have a problem embracing affirmations.

When it comes to standing in front of a mirror, looking myself in the eye and declaring “I love and approve of myself just as I am” a part of me (the Itty Bitty Shitty Committee inside my head) is grimacing and saying “Yeah, right!” in it’s most sarcastic tone of voice. My physical body feels uncomfortable. At best I feel a little silly, at worst I feel that I am lying to myself. If you don’t resonate with your affirmation but you continue to say it anyway, does this not lead to a mistrust in yourself?

I believe that it is the energy we put out, not just the words we speak, which tunes us in to our “receiving channel.” So, I was really excited to learn about using Aspirations rather than Affirmations.

Instead of saying something which you don’t believe, try putting “I aspire to” in front of it. So, the example above becomes: “I aspire to love and approve of myself just as I am.” I can stand in front of a mirror and say this and my body is happy to agree with my words. Once you are OK with this then you can move up a notch eg “Wouldn’t it be lovely to love and approve of myself just as I am”; then ”I am starting to treat myself with more love and approval” …you get the idea. Each time you move your statement up a notch check in with your body and make sure that your body, thoughts and words are all in agreement.

Your thoughts?

af·fir·ma·tion ( f r-m sh n) n.

1. The act of affirming or the state of being affirmed; assertion.

2. Something declared to be true; a positive statement or judgment.

3. Law A solemn declaration given in place of a sworn statement by a person who conscientiously objects to taking an oath.

as·pire ( -sp r ) intr.v. as·pired, as·pir·ing, as·pires

1. To have a great ambition or ultimate goal; desire strongly: aspired to stardom.

2. To strive toward an end: aspiring to great knowledge.

3. To soar…..ILOVE this definition!