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Practical Advice Affirmations help

LumberJack

LumberJack

Huggy Bear 🐻
#1
#1
I have always had resistance to doing positive affirmations. I tried it a couple times and it felt corny.

Lately I’ve been noticing that I do a metric ton of negative affirmations though. I am wondering if trying positive affirmations again would help? If so how do I get started, and what to do about the hurdle of thinking it’s just a bunch of new age woo-woo nonsense?

I’m curious and I want to have an open mind. It feels so weird though, like trying to sign my name using the non-dominant hand. I feel like everything is crap regardless of what I tell myself, while I also recognize that as a distorted thought (over generalization). I was thinking that if I am so good at telling myself that I suck, maybe I could replace that self talk with something more constructive.
 
1Lefty

1Lefty

SF Supporter
#2
#2
I agree with what you said about speaking positive affirmations, that's been my experience as well.
I can write them down, though, and personally, I feel that's helpful.

A few years ago, I said into a mirror, daily "I love you" to myself. After several weeks, it seemed less artificial, but I eventually stopped. I'm not sure if it helped, I can't say it didn't. Maybe saying that on the surface made other things possible beneath the surface.

My therapist is a big proponent, especially when done with EFT tapping

I think it's a technique to try, if it works, great, otherwise, move on to something else. Keep trying and growing.

peace
:)
 
Livelife

Livelife

SF Supporter
#3
#3
Positive affirmations alter the tracking of the neurons, reroutes thought and neural pathways for many. It's been years of pattern of the mind thinking particular thoughts, starting in childhood for many, of going in a particular (negative) direction so it takes time to recreate thought pattern. That's why most kinds of meditation are effective in eventually altering or minimizing or giving one the ability to redirect negative thought quickly. It's finally being shown in studies that some kinds of yoga and meditation (they are different) have a potent and altering affect. I don't care for affirmation approach myself but it seems to work well for so many people. I do enjoy and respond to several kinds of meditation practices though....

And I like tapping too. It can be done quickly. I like using Nick Ortner's techniques, he offers quite a bit at no cost and it's easy to learn....in minutes.

I hope you find something that you will enjoy doing. Ignore the mind thinking it's woo woo. Just try some stuff and see where it takes you. It will take consistent practice.......start at 5 minutes a day and see where it goes. Yes, in answer to your last sentence.
 
Last edited:
AmberMarie

AmberMarie

SF Supporter
#4
#4
LumberJack said:
It feels so weird though, like trying to sign my name using the non-dominant hand.
Click to expand...
There's this thing called.... practice. i'm not trying to talk down to you by far... so i do hope you don't take it as such. trying to add a tiny bit of comical...ness.

Anyway... if you break or, God forbid, lose a dominant hand, you have to then practice with the other. Yes it feels strange at first... however it becomes natural over time. And even after a while, it's as if that was your dominant hand all along.

i am absolutely in no way good at affirmations. For me, they are a waste of time and energy. i would rather put on a clown suit and parade around a bull ring. However, i have seen them work for many many people. It doesn't hurt to try. If all else fails... put on a clown nose and make yourself smile! *shock
 
LumberJack

LumberJack

Huggy Bear 🐻
#5
#5
AmberMarie said:
There's this thing called.... practice. i'm not trying to talk down to you by far... so i do hope you don't take it as such. trying to add a tiny bit of comical...ness.
Click to expand...
haha no I laughed when I read that. I don't take myself too seriously, but sometimes I am extremely good at ignoring the obvious. Like of course it's going to be uncomfortable to get started. It sounds like people have had a mixed experience with affirmations nonetheless. I just have it on my mind because it seems like multiple people are recommending it. I already do meditation and yoga; maybe I could use that work to redirect the way I'm thinking.
 
LumberJack

LumberJack

Huggy Bear 🐻
#6
#6
Livelife said:
Positive affirmations alter the tracking of the neurons, reroutes thought and neural pathways for many. It's been years of pattern of the mind thinking particular thoughts, starting in childhood for many, of going in a particular (negative) direction so it takes time to recreate thought pattern. That's why most kinds of meditation are effective in eventually altering or minimizing or giving one the ability to redirect negative thought quickly. It's finally being shown in studies that some kinds of yoga and meditation (they are different) have a potent and altering affect. I don't care for affirmation approach myself but it seems to work well for so many people. I do enjoy and respond to several kinds of meditation practices though....

And I like tapping too. It can be done quickly. I like using Nick Ortner's techniques, he offers quite a bit at no cost and it's easy to learn....in minutes.

I hope you find something that you will enjoy doing. Ignore the mind thinking it's woo woo. Just try some stuff and see where it takes you. It will take consistent practice.......start at 5 minutes a day and see where it goes. Yes, in answer to your last sentence.
Click to expand...
Yeah not to be repetitive, but I do love yoga and meditation. Maybe I will check out that tapping thing. I already do something called stimming - which I didn't know there was that name for it, I just have a tendency to rub my thumbs on opposite palms when I feel nervous. The tactile sensation helps me stay grounded.
 
seabird

seabird

meandering home
SF Supporter
#9
#9
LumberJack said:
was thinking that if I am so good at telling myself that I suck, maybe I could replace that self talk with something more constructive.
Click to expand...
That is basically what I've been doing, quite gradually, for a few years. I started first simiply noting that I'd made a negative comment to myself, or a black humour kind of jokie thing, but they're in the same category. After becoming aware of the chronic garbage my mind churns out I stopped a couple of the really nasty self-recriminations. It's ongoing; I still enjoy black humour but I'm aware, and keep it in its very limited place.

To me, un-memorizing most of the mean and shameful things I used to say has a very specific effect. I have chosen and taken action to free up space in my mind and body for more natural, creative, positive, fun, or whatever thoughts to flourish. Caveat: a huge setback was the separation from my husband, but at least I have the tools to attempt to deal with this situation.
 
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