Have you ever heard of the phrase, “What you think will become your reality” ?
You know, the idea that you can train your mind to think certain things. Kind of like willing things into existence. Well, I want to take this idea and tweak it to relate to motherhood.
Now, I am by no means saying that you can control your mind at all times. As mothers, we go through maternal mental illnesses that cause us to have thoughts we might not necessarily be able to get rid of. For example, when we are depressed, we might not be able to get out of the black and white mindset that we are a “bad” mom or “not enough” for our little ones. Or if we are having anxiety, we might be experiencing intrusive thoughts about something happening to our baby. And these can be unbearable and uncontrollable until we learn to work through them.
But I want to talk about affirmations in motherhood as a way that we can find things to compliment ourselves about. Every person deserves to feel appreciated, especially a new mom who is giving her all for her family. When we compliment ourselves throughout our day, we challenge negative thoughts that we are having and introduce more positive thoughts, but gently.
What is an affirmation?
An affirmation is a phrase or sentence that resonates with you and helps you challenge a negative thought you might be having. These can be short, two word phrases or even passages composed of several sentences that provide you the ability to think about your life from a different angle than what you normally do.
Here are some of my favorite affirmations. Pick one that resonates with you.
1. I Am Enough
2. I have everything I need to be the best mother to my baby.
3. I am doing my best.
4. I trust my maternal intuition.
5. It’s okay to ask for help.
6. The difficulties I am facing now will not last forever.
7. I am capable of amazing things.
8. I am not “just” a mom.
9. I will stay calm, even in the midst of chaos.
10. I am strong and loved.
Do your own research – go online and type in affirmations and your search will provide you with thousands of affirmations to choose from. Or even better, make up your own!
Now here is where affirmations can really be helpful.
Take these affirmations and post them EVERYWHERE. The background screen on your phone, your bathroom mirror, on a piece of paper in your car or on your refrigerator. Literally everywhere. Remind yourself as much as possible that these phrases can really be true.
You are complimenting yourself.
Give it a try. It doesn’t cost a thing to give yourself a compliment. It doesn’t take any time to say three words to yourself.
You’ve got this, mama. You deserve to be appreciated.