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Affirmations

Affirmations

Did you make any resolutions or set any goals for the New Year? I did not. I have written about my resolution making avoidance before. And about goal setting. And the three words thing. I’ve tried them all. I have discovered none work for me. Perhaps I have accountability issues. Regardless, I’ve ditched them all. Now, stating affirmations, that just might work.

The idea of stating a few simple affirmations appeals to me.

Will this work any better?

Who knows.

What is an affirmation?

It’s a simple statement affirming something, duh…right?

This sort of thing seems way more appealing. Resolutions can be so restrictive. Usually they are all about fixing what’s wrong with us. Same old, same old, right?

So, what are my affirmations?

1. I will honor my grief. 

I will give myself permission to do what I’m always suggesting others should do. Why is it sometimes so hard to follow your own advice anyway?

2. I will practice self-care. 

This is a biggie and covers a lot of ground. But don’t you think its sounds so much kinder and less judgmental than saying, I will lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, get organized or whatever? Practicing self care is so much broader. So much more forgiving, so much more gentle sounding. After all, showing compassion should start with yourself, right?

3. I will keep writing for the sheer enjoyment, fulfillment and overall benefit the process brings to me.

I need to write. I do. I feel better when I write. I am thinking about starting a new book about grief. I will continue blogging weekly because this gives me structure and a deadline (remember, I’m a procrastinator). I intend to put together a few new ebooks in the coming months. I might even start journaling again. I will not worry about the number of readers or followers I have or do not have, or how many books I sell. I will write because I want to. Because writing helps me figure shit out. And there is nothing in the world like the feeling I get from helping others figure shit out, too, once in a while in the process.

4. I will let go of resentments. 

Some people, some things bug the heck out of me, but I will not allow resentments to build and fester. But I will write about them if I want to.

5. I will strive to inspire others.

By this I do not mean I want others to look at me and say, oh look, she is so inspirational in what she says and does. No, not at all, but by sharing my cancer truths, opinions, fears, dreams or whatever, I hope to encourage others to do the same. I want others to realize it’s okay to ditch societal expectations regarding cancer, grief (or whatever) that bog us all down.

So there you have ’em, my five affirmations for the new year. Well, for now anyway ‘cuz I can change, delete, or add to them whenever I want. They’re mine after all.

Do you think you might like to give affirmations a try?

Do you make New Year’s resolutions or choose three guide words?

If yes, share if you’d like to. If you don’t, why is that?

Would you like to share an affirmation or two of yours?

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affirmations

Ilene

Sunday 3rd of January 2021

You inspire me. You can absolutely tick that one. And these are all wonderful go-bys. I’ve made some private decisions to get things in the right priority - my health first the rest all come naturally if that’s the first thing on my to-do list each day. I might be not quite up to it some days but I won’t beat myself up anymore. That’s a good way to show myself I care and that my words meet my actions. Much love dear Nancy.

Nancy

Tuesday 5th of January 2021

Ilene, Aww, you say the nicest things. Sometimes I wonder why it's so hard to put ourselves first when, in fact, it's something we all need to do. You're so right, if we do that, the rest comes more naturally, more easily - at least somewhat. Thank you for reading. Much love to you too, Ilene. xo

Abigail Johnston

Saturday 2nd of January 2021

These are great affirmations!! Looking forward to all your new work and seeing how your affirmations show themselves in the coming year. ❤️

Nancy

Tuesday 5th of January 2021

Abigail, Like you, I don't do resolutions. Affirmations seem more forgiving, so they appeal to me more. I know you pick a word to serve as a guide of sorts. It'd be tough for me to zero in on just one word! :) Thank you for stopping by and taking time to comment.

Beth Gainer

Friday 20th of January 2017

Hi Nancy,

Your affirmations sound great, and I think this is a great way to bring in a new year. I especially love the one on self-care. It is excellent. You are right: it's much better to say we will practice self-care than say we will lose weight and so on. For me, self-care involves taking care of myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Thank you for the inspirational post!

Nancy

Monday 23rd of January 2017

Beth, I am hoping going the affirmation route helps me do better with practicing self-care; I think it might. We shall see. Thanks for sharing.

Eileen@womaninthehat

Wednesday 18th of January 2017

Affirmations can be very powerful. Like you, I'm not a fan of resolutions. They often seem a setup for failure. I think resolutions can feel like an overbearing, perfectionist authority figure. Affirmations feel more like our own personal cheerleader who believes we can do whatever we set our minds to.

Nancy

Thursday 19th of January 2017

Eileen, Resolutions are generally a setup for failure for me, that's for sure. I much prefer the idea of affirmations. They feel more like our own personal cheerleader, I like the way you put that. Thank you for reading and sharing.

Lindsay

Monday 16th of January 2017

I don't necessarily make new year's resolutions or goals but I'm always writing down priorities and "systems" for reaching certain goals, usually at the start of each month. But most of these are work related. These "goals" usually change each month. Basically I'm obsessed with lists and following a schedule!

Nancy

Tuesday 17th of January 2017

Lindsay, It sounds like you take after your father when it comes to list making. :) Good for you for writing down priorities and goals on a monthly basis. There's something about the act of writing them down that further "cements" them. Sometimes I wish I was more obsessed with lists, goals, and such. I do like this affirmation thing though. We shall see how it goes. Thank you for sharing.