Stell: My Pandemic Affirmation Practice

In early 2020, I was talking to my friend Jennifer Mencarini about the weirdness of it all when she offered to share some Affirmations with me. As I read the words, I knew an Affirmation practice was something I was ready for.

Jennifer shared Affirmations from Mastin Kipp, author of Daily Love:

• I am flexible and able to safely manage change.
• This unforeseen event is a chance to evolve, grow and discover even more of who I am.
• I do not have to solve this problem by myself. I am free to ask for help from others, the Universe or God.

These phrases resonated with me, and I wanted to know more.

What is an Affirmation practice?

This wellness approach uses positive statements to challenge the negative self-talk that often happens in our heads.

These positive mental repetitions can reprogram our thinking patterns so that, over time, we think and act differently.

As I looked back at 2020 and 2021 Affirmations, and set my 2022 Affirmations, I was happy to see how my mind and attitude has shifted in a more positive direction in the past two years. I don’t want to discount the importance of other health-related measures I’ve taken to deal with the upheaval of the world, but I am convinced that my Affirmation practice has made a positive difference.

2020 My Affirmations

In 2020, my affirmations addressed the anxiety I felt in the new role, the isolation of working from home, and the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic.

• I can do this work. I have the skills and experience. I have the network and resources.
• I will look for joy in my work. I am helping people. I am not solving their problems single-handedly, but I am helping them find solutions that ease their pain.
• This is a difficult time, and I will give myself grace.

As I look back on these Affirmations, I remember the exact way I was feeling when I wrote them. I was honest in my declarations. I started every day by reading and repeating the Affirmations. During the day when I was stuck, I would go back to them almost as a breathing exercise.

The Affirmations made me feel much more at peace at a time when the world felt out of control, as did my response to the world.

2021 Affirmations

The MindTools website says that using Affirmations is a way of harnessing positive thinking. Many of us experience the negative thoughts I was experiencing in 2020. A problem with negative thoughts is they can become self-fulfilling prophecies. However, if we deliberately use positive thoughts, the effect can be powerful.

Affirmations are not just “wishful thinking.” MindTools compares repetitive positive self-talk to the repetitive exercises we use to improve our physical health.

Here are my 2021 Affirmations

• What is meant for me will come to me
• Recognize that ruminating will blow events out of proportion. Action is a deterrent to the ruminating mind; stop ruminating and start moving.
• Recognize what I have no control over and stop worrying. Learn what I can control – primarily my own response – and focus on that.
• Let go and let God.

MindTool shares that evidence suggests that Affirmations help us perform better at work.

For example, before a job interview (or performance review, ugh!), spending a few minutes thinking about your best qualities can calm your nerves, increase your confidence, and improve your chances of a successful outcome.

2022 Affirmations

I spent January 4 preparing myself for the New Year. I finalized my goals, I started new spreadsheets to track progress on projects, and I wrote my new Affirmations.

• Words matter.
• Embrace the mindset of abundance.
• I choose peace over being right.
• I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
• Everything is unfolding in perfect Divine order in my life.
• Look through eyes of faith and forgiveness.

After writing my new Affirmations, I was struck by the progress I ‘d made in two years as I compared my 2022 list to 2020 and 2021. Instead of using words such as “difficult time” my Affirmations seemed to reflect a shift in thought.

Instead of convincing myself through self-talk that I can get to where I need to be, I noted that I AM where I need to be. That was a WOW moment for me.

Set Your Own Affirmations

Visit Using Affirmations – Stress Management From MindTools.com, to learn more about the benefits of an Affirmation practice, how to use Affirmations, and how to create your own Affirmations.

Continue this conversation by contacting Camille Stell at camille@lawyersmutualconsulting.com or 800.662.8843.