A short affirmation to read before a difficult task or at the start of the day. Straightforward, and takes a few seconds.
Worth knowing: research suggests affirmations work best when they are believable and connected to your actual values. Statements far from what you currently believe can make people with low self-esteem feel worse rather than better.
A note on scope
These are general wellbeing exercises, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are recovering from injury, or find that an exercise causes pain rather than mild discomfort, speak to a qualified professional rather than working through it.
Frequently asked questions
- Do affirmations actually work?
- Research on self-affirmation shows genuine effects, particularly around values and stress, but the results depend heavily on believability. Statements far from what someone believes can backfire, especially for people with low self-esteem.
- What makes a good affirmation?
- One that is specific, believable, and about effort or values rather than fixed traits or guaranteed outcomes. Believable and modest outperforms grand and implausible.
- When is the best time to use one?
- Before something demanding, or at the start of the day. Connecting the statement to a specific upcoming situation makes it more useful than reciting it in the abstract.