Positive Affirmations: A Great First Step in Your Self-Development Journey

First love yourself and the rest will fall into place.

Sometimes the smallest steps are the ones that shift everything. For me, affirmations were one of those steps. They aren’t magic spells, but they do have the power to gently rewire your mindset and help you show up for yourself in a new way.

I first stumbled across affirmations a few years ago and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think. But as I kept experimenting, I realised just how powerful they can be, and how unique they are to each of us. Let me walk you through what they are, why they matter, and how you can start using them today.

What Are Positive Affirmations?

At its simplest, an affirmation is just a statement you repeat to yourself, something you choose to believe or want to believe. The Cambridge Dictionary defines an affirmation as “a statement or sign that something is true.”

And here’s the wild part: your brain doesn’t actually know the difference between a true or false thought. It just believes whatever it’s told.

So, if you constantly think things like “no one likes me,” “I don’t look good in this,” or “I’ll never be good at my job,” your brain will absorb those as truth even if they’re not. That’s where affirmations come in.

Why Positive Affirmations Work

By repeating positive affirmations daily, or as often as you can, your mind slowly begins to believe them. Over time, the negative patterns get quieter, and the new, empowering ones take up more space.

No, affirmations alone won’t change your whole life. But they can give you a quick and powerful mindset shift, especially on days when you’re feeling low. For me, they’ve often been the first step back toward a more positive, intentional headspace.

How to Start Using Positive Affirmations

The best part is that you don’t need anything fancy to get started. All you really need is a willingness to try.

Use YouTube: Search things like “affirmations for a positive day,” “money affirmations,” or “self-love affirmations.” There are endless options, and you’ll eventually find a voice and style that clicks with you.

Make it practical: I fit affirmations into my morning routine. For example, I’ll play a 10-minute video while getting ready after my shower. It doesn’t have to be a deep, meditative practice unless you want it to be.

Stick with one set: For best results, repeat the same affirmations daily for at least 30 days. But even if you can only manage every other day, it still makes a difference.

Don’t force it: Some affirmations won’t feel right at first, and that’s okay. Keep experimenting until you find ones that feel true or at least possible for you.

My First Experience With Positive Affirmations

A few years ago, I was in a really low place. I had convinced myself I was unloveable, no matter what anyone said. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t true, but my inner voice was so loud and cruel.

One day, I searched for a self-love affirmation video. Within the first few statements, I completely broke down in tears. Saying words like “I am lovable” felt impossible. But I let the video play, repeating what I could.

After a few days, I noticed something had shifted. I no longer cried when I heard the words and eventually, I could say them without resistance. After a week, I felt lighter. Not “fixed,” but more hopeful. That’s when I realised just how powerful affirmations can be.

Final Thoughts

Affirmations won’t solve everything. But they’re an easy, gentle step you can take right now, and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.

If you’re curious, give it a try. Find a video, repeat the words, and see what happens. Let yourself be surprised. And if you want to take it further, I’m in the process of creating my own personal set of affirmations that fit exactly where I’m at in life. Once they’re ready, I’ll share a step-by-step guide so you can create your own too.

Until then, be kind to yourself and remember that even the smallest steps count.