25 powerful positive affirmations for happiness, confidence and more!

What are positive affirmations?

An affirmation is an assertion that something is true. Simply put, it is a statement that we say to ourselves repeatedly until we believe it wholeheartedly. This is something we do all the time, whether we know it or not. A positive affirmation, however, is something positive we say about ourselves or to ourselves.

And this is something we don’t tend to do quite so often.

Positive affirmations can help us overcome negative self-talk, by replacing our unintentional thoughts with carefully chosen phrases that re-frame the way we think.

We can say them to ourselves aloud, or we might have them on wallet cards that we read daily, or it might even be on a sticky note on your bathroom mirror. And over time, our subconscious begins to assimilate the information and it becomes truth in our subconscious mind. (While it’s awesome to think of how easily we can influence the subconscious mind, it’s also a little scary to think how often we don’t bother and just let that negative self-talk take over).

Do positive affirmations really work?

Yes! Powerful daily affirmations can change your life. I’m not even exaggerating. You see, affirmations are more than a quick moment of positive thinking. They re-wire your brain by breaking your negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones.

Now, this is not just my opinion! Studies show that by using positive thoughts and affirmations, creativity and productivity increase by up to 25%.

And as well as replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, just using this practice of self-affirming encourages us to pay more attention to the voice in our head.

What are some examples of positive affirmations?

Positive affirmations are wide-ranging, but some of the most popular ones follow one of these patterns:

• “I am capable”
• “I can do this”
• “I love the work I do”

The first example is the very popular “I am” statement. This can be used in so many ways, but most importantly it is a positive reflection of ourselves as a person.

The second is a capability statement, and is useful when faced with a challenge or when we are seeking motivation and inspiration to keep focused on our goals.

And the third is a reflection of our environment and how we interact it with it. It’s choosing to see and feel the positive in the world around us and our place in it. To see the glass as half full! 🙂

The best proof is experiencing it for yourself!

But, at the end of the day, the best way to see for yourself if they work is to try them! Personally, I started using positive affirmations in a regular way about two years ago. I had downloaded an app onto my phone, and the affirmations were all sorted into categories so you could easily select one that you wanted to focus on. I kid you not, within a few days I could see just how powerful using affirmations was. And not just for turning around negative thinking. But for lifting yourself out of habitual thinking, those (fairly) useless thoughts that just circle around lazily, taking up your head space.

The two things I noticed immediately, was that, first, I felt like I was lifting myself into a more positive mindset. Instantly. And second, I could see the increase in my focus. It actually highlighted how half-arsed (excuse my language!) I was approaching some things. Setting a morning goal, but letting it slip from my thoughts almost the minute I left my house.

This was an epiphany for me. (And the reason I developed the VIBES method, but that’s another story!).

How many times a day should you say affirmations?

The key here is to say them regularly. And to really get the best bang for your buck, I highly recommend incorporating your list of positive affirmations in a number of different ways. Rather than just committing to saying them every morning, let’s try a few tactics and hit it from every angle!

First, definitely start the day with your positive affirmations. It’s a great opportunity to start the day off on the right foot. Tape them to your bedside, or post-it note them to your mirror.

Second, keep them up your sleeve during the day for when you notice your thoughts turning negative, or just not lining up with your affirmations. Maybe you are trying to practice keeping calm in work situations and you find yourself becoming heated. Take yourself off to the bathroom, or somewhere quiet. Take a few deep breaths and repeat your positive affirmation to yourself a few times.

And lastly, incorporate your positive phrases into your bedtime routine. The first half hour of the day and the last half hour before sleep are the most effective in terms of accessing our subconscious brains so use this to your advantage!

And how long do affirmations take to work?

Honestly, from Day 1 they are working. The beauty is that they just get more and more powerful as you use them. You are teaching your subconscious a new way of thinking and creating a strong foundation for a positive mindset.

Why are words of affirmation important?

Let’s be very clear here. That voice in your head? It’s you. And you are telling yourself all sorts of things, all day long. ALL DAY LONG.

Sometimes it’s general chit chat – I wonder what the time is, I’m starting to feel hungry…

Sometimes it’s thoughtful or kind – I must remember to ring grandma tonight and check in, looking goood today 😉 …

And then other times it can be a little less than kind – I should’ve known better, I always mess up, I will never be good enough. Or even just untrue.

We are so capable of intentional, conscious living, but we just don’t often do it! Using a list of affirmations throughout the day is a key way to do this. Are you ready for some examples of positive affirmations? Let’s get into it! 🙂

Examples of affirmations you can use daily.

Positive Affirmations for Happiness

1. I find joy and happiness in the smallest moments.

2. Happiness is a choice, and I choose it.

3. I am happy, healthy and centered.

4. I am grateful for the abundance in my life.

5. Life is an adventure, and every day brings me happiness.

Positive Affirmations for Success

6. I am successful.

7. I am exactly where I need to be. Good things are coming!

8. I have a positive mindset and I love accomplishing my goals.

9. I am laser-focused on my goals!

10. If I fail this time, I’ll get up again. There is always another opportunity to succeed.

Positive Affirmations for Mental Health

11. I am enough.

There is nothing, nothing more freeing than knowing and believing that you are enough. Although I think it’s great that we strive to achieve our dreams and goals so that we are challenging ourselves, I don’t believe in striving to be some ideal version of ourselves that we are not. Every little thing about you, every quirk, every passion, every doubt, it’s all… you. And that’s enough.

12. I know what I can control, and I let go of what I can’t control.

13. I honour my commitments to myself.

14. When I need help, I know to ask for it.

15. I can always rely on myself.

Positive Affirmations for Students

16. I am prepared and ready for this exam, I’ve done the work.

17. Today and every day I’m learning and growing.

18. A change to learn is a chance to grow. I am growing!

19. My mind is powerful and always improving.

20. I am ready and prepared to face new challenges.

Positive Affirmations for Confidence

21. I can do this.

Don’t be sucked in to thinking that affirmations have to be deep and profound. Some of the best ones are short and succinct like this one. I recently used this one, in a rather fretful way, but it did the trick!

We had a family excursion to the local clip ‘n’ climb (it’s like a playful version of an indoor rock climbing arena). You’re clipped on via your harness and once you’ve climbed, well… you just let go and it lowers you down to the ground. Easy right? I thought so, until I was about a metre off the ground and couldn’t let go for the life of me. My kids were watching. My husband was watching. I closed my eyes. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. 🙂

22. I believe in myself and will always be my biggest cheerleader!

23. I am a beautiful person.

24. I have faith in myself and my future.

25. I am courageous and brave.

And if you’re interested in positive affirmations for kids you can read my post over here at MomLifeHappyLife.

How do I write affirmations for myself?

Not keen on any of these? That’s OK too. It’s really important that you use affirmations that mean something to you. So feel free to create your own list of positive affirmations, with your own spin and in your own voice. Or if you are looking for more suggestions, check out developinggoodhabits.com for an almost unlimited selection (1,132 to be exact!).

I hope you feel inspired by this short list of positive affirmations and have found one or two to build in to your daily practice! Let me know in the comments below if you have any other favourite affirmations.