“I’m a failure.” “I can’t do it perfectly.” “I’m ruining my kids.” “I can’t stop worrying.” “What if…” “Why can’t I be more like…” Why can’t my kids be more like…”
The messages that replay in the mind of a mom are anything but positive.
And in a thankless job like motherhood, compliments from others are often few and far between.
Without even realizing it, our thoughts are filled with self-criticism. Comparing to others. Focusing on what we did wrong or how we messed up.
These thoughts are hard to ignore.
A new focus.
It’s time to break this pattern of negative thinking. And remind yourself who you are as a person. Not just a mom.
Affirmations are statements about you, your character, or your abilities. They can be true, even if they don’t always feel true (or if you make a mistake!)
Think about the “brainwashing” you are doing to yourself now. What messages repeat in your head as you lay in bed at night? Are they positive and true? Or exaggerated lies and fears?
Let’s do some positive “brainwashing” for a change.
Here are a few positive affirmations to get you started.
You can pick one to repeat each day of the month, or choose a few that you need to focus on right now. Write them down, put them in a place that you will see them often or set a reminder on your phone. Repeat often.
- I am strong.
- I am patient.
- I am understanding.
- I am forgiving.
- I am creative.
- I am calm.
- I am focused.
- I follow through.
- I am respectful.
- I am honest.
- I am trustworthy.
- I am consistent.
- I am happy.
- I am loved.
- I am worthy.
- I am assertive.
- I am confident.
- I am peaceful.
- I am encouraging.
- I am prayerful.
- I am content.
- I am fair.
- I am gracious.
- I am joyful.
- I am playful.
- I am enthusiastic.
- I am hardworking.
- I am inspiring.
- I am responsive.
- I am a listener.
- I am slow to judge.
Changing thought patterns is difficult, but not impossible. When you hear yourself going back to the old negative, untrue or exaggerated statements, counter the thoughts by repeating a few affirmations.
With time, affirmations will feel less like work, and more like a true expression of who you are as a mom.
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