Personal mantras—or positive affirmation—when repeated out loud regularly, can harvest positivity within you and in your life. Ideally, you should at least have some belief that this mantra is true, but even if you don’t, with the help of repetition, you will hopefully begin to believe it. To remember to recite your mantra(s) each day, try sticking a post-it note on a mirror, door, fridge or make a virtual note.
Below is a list of some personal mantras—I prefer to use ones that are short and to the point. If you’re interested in another style of mantra, you could use quotes. Gandhi’s words of wisdom are highly inspirational, as he expressed, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Only you know what will work best for you and hopefully give you inspiration and motivation, which will lead to a positive change. Here are some examples:
- I am beautiful (or handsome) inside and out
- I am worth it
- I am worthy of _____
- I am proud of my accomplishments
- I am intelligent, caring, and dependable
- I am loved
- I am successful
- I am talented
- I am my best self
- I am strong
- I am the master of my own destiny
- I am capable of overcoming my fears
- I am thankful for _____
- I have the right to speak my mind
- I love who I am
- I love my _____
- I can achieve any goal I set my mind to
- I accept myself for who I am
- I choose to live my life to the fullest
- I deserve to be happy
Another way to help you believe these affirmations is if you list reasons why they are true. For example:
I am beautiful inside and out because …
» I care about others and don’t discriminate
» I always see the good in people
» I have a great smile which makes others smile
» I have lovely eyes and a big heart
Having reasons listed as to why your mantra is true can help dispel any negative thoughts. If you say your mantra “I am beautiful” and your mind thinks “but I’m not beautiful,” all you need do is read the reasons why it’s a fact that you truly are a beautiful person, and your negative thoughts will run out of fuel.
My only words of caution in making a mantra would first be to avoid the use of negative or conditional words such as “can’t,” “don’t,” “won’t,” “should” or “could.” They can subconsciously promote negativity which defeats the purpose of this practice. Instead of stating “I won’t let my fears control me” or “I should overcome my fears,” it’s more effective to say “I am capable of overcoming my fears” or “I can overcome my fears.”
Also, it’s important to keep your mantra realistic. You don’t want to set expectations so high that you can’t achieve them or believe them. Instead of voicing “I am perfect,” change your mantra to something more along the lines of “I am my best self,” or “I accept myself for who I am.”
Do you have any personal mantras you live by?
Read more on this topic in THE POWER OF WORDS: Use affirmations to reprogram your life»
[su_panel background=”#f2f2f2″ color=”#000000″ border=”0px none #ffffff” shadow=”0px 0px 0px #ffffff”]by Michelle Balge