I haven’t done a monthly challenge since last Fall. Today is the first day of the second astronomical month of this year and the perfect time to get back into a challenge-minset with something that should not be a time sink. Affirmations are a great way to realign oneself with thier core values and identity when in the midst of a challenging circumstance.

I already have 12 affirmations which resonate with me saved on the Gratitude app. These are:

• I love and care for my body and it cares for me.
• I am worthy of beautiful endings and exciting beginnings.
• I will be my own best advocate.
• My mind is strong and disciplined.
• I am ready and open to receiving good things in my life.
• I am capable and calm in any situation.
• I am worthy of being loved, being happy, and doing what brings me joy.
• I am always finding something to appreciate around me.
• Every person I meet can teach me something; I am grateful for their wisdom.
• I am loving myself to the fullest.
• I am giving myself space to grow and learn.
• I am passionate about my goals and have a burning desire to fulfill them!

My challenge this month is very simple:

Say all of the affirmations OUT LOUD at least once per day!

This can be done all at once either by utilizing the Gratitude app or just remembering them on my own. I can also do a couple here and there throughout the day.

Some ideal times I think I will try to utilize are:

• First thing in the morning – This is often the point of greatest struggle for me right now. Once I have momentum, I have developed a lot of skills to maintain that momentum and increase it when possible and appropriate. However, getting out of bed almost invariably feels like a chore. My back is incredibly achy from being immobile for 8ish hours, and my mind is often cranky, espeically if I kept drifting into and out of sleep.
• Last thing before bed – I know that setting a positive tone heading into sleep is more likely to allow my to drift off sooner and enjoy more restful sleep and dreams. Sometimes when I have a lot of things to take care off at the end of a day, my mind can feel overactive and ill-suited for rest. Affirmations could be a great way to reestablish a sense of equanimity.
• In the car to and from work – Even if I just picked a couple to do during this time, I believe it could be very beneficial in grounding me. If I am driving at the start of my day, accept the day for whatever it will be. If I am driving at the end of my day, accept the day for what it was. Breathe.

This is a fairly simple challenge, but one I am looking forward to actualizing. If you are interested in creating some of your own affirmations, this blog post has some hints for how to craft them. You can also find plenty of ready-made ones online or in a variety of positive thinking apps.

Namaste.