Research reported in Clinical Psychological Science indicates that taking time to think kind thoughts about ourselves has psychological and physical benefits.
Being loving and gentle with ourselves helps us see ourselves more honestly. We aren't afraid to recognize our shortcomings and admit to our assets. Self-love encourages us to be flexible, and gives us confidence and freedom to change aspects of our makeup that no longer serve us well.
Are you considerate, tender, and supportive of yourself all the time?
At various moments during the last couple of weeks, I have gotten in my own way. I felt emotionally drained and unhappy.
I know I'm not alone in feeling off-kilter. It appears that most of my friends, family, business contacts, and acquaintances are finding it hard to find peace and feel centered in the midst of this Pandemic. There is so much uncertainty.
To add to my anxiety, we in Tucson are affected by the Bighorn Fire, a 120,000 acre fire that is filling the air with smoke and is only 54% contained as it burns in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Yet, I haven't been stuck in despair.
One of the most amazing methods I continue to use to center myself is to recite and repeat affirmations aloud daily. I write out new ones or use ones that are tried and true.
I've discovered from personal experience and research, conducted as a health and lifestyle writer, that affirmations have healing power.
When we express these positive statements aloud each day, it puts a positive spin on things, elevates mood, and comforts us. Science backs this up.
This post presents amazing affirmations and additional tips to self-validate and empower ourselves.
Why is that important?
Self-validation means to accept our
internal experience as it is, and acknowledge we have a right to think and feel as we do in each moment.
When we honor and cherish ourselves, even the fear of identifying and owning difficult emotions and working through them, can be overcome.
We also need to get in touch with how often and to whom we go to for validation. This knowledge helps us understand our motives better. Do we rely on others more than we count on ourselves for approval and to make us feel worthy?
This post shows us ways to surrender thoughts, ideas, and expectations that other people, places, and institutions can see and acknowledge our true value.
Additional ideas and tips will help us accept full responsibility for validating ourselves.
Devote attention and look inward to identify and feel anger, sadness, grief, anxiety, self-consciousness and doubt. Be honest with ourselves, and admit we're having a difficult time.
When we don't stuff, minimize, or label our feeling as bad, eventually they pass. That clear space we've created helps us get along better with ourselves and others.
Another technique that helps center us, is to take steps to improve the quality of our self-talk.
The words we use when we refer to our thoughts, feelings, and actions or inaction, helps us notice a lack of motivation, depression, boredom, progress, strengths, self-judgment, and successes.
We humans are social animals, and a basic need is to seek and want companionship from others. However, when we buy into negative chatter either from ourselves or others, we do ourselves a disservice. Read more at 5 Things to Do to Change Negative Self-chatter.
Treating ourselves with self-compassion is an especially helpful self-care practice, when we can't seem to complete projects or make mistakes, feel vulnerable, and less than. Read this for 9 Practices to Help You See You are Enough.
I believe treating ourselves with self-compassion and high regard is the most powerful self-care policy we can ever adopt.
Write a love letter to yourself. Why not include pictures of you and the things you love to do? Record many reasons why you are so in love with you.
10 Amazing Affirmations and Tips
for Self-Validation
1. My breath is my superpower, and I breathe-in self-love and
release all traces of self- doubt and disapproval.
2. I look inward
for my sense of self-worth, joy, and approval.
3. I treat myself with self-compassion and high regard, because I know it's the most powerful self-care practice I can ever adopt.
4. Any path I choose is an adventure and an opportunity for
personal growth.
5. I acknowledge and accept painful and joyous feelings and know
my emotions indicate I am a passionate person.
6. I'm mindful of my thoughts,
feelings, and actions, and experience them with a nonjudgmental attitude.
7. I am worthy of self-care and set aside time each day to have fun, relax, and nurture mind, body, and spirit.
8. I look
in the mirror and see someone who is authentic, courageous, and willing to do what
it takes to grow and prosper each day.
9. My thoughts influence how happy I feel and I choose to feel joy
right now!
10. I radiate health, happiness, harmony, and thrive.
Click on the following link to see additional affirmations I wrote. They highlight things to say to Create Positive Energy and Health with Affirmations.
Include self-care practices such as prayer, meditation, exercise, and journal writing to daily routines. When we use any, it helps reduce stress, and renews joy in daily living.
Do as many or as few as you like. Each one helps us feel more grounded and present in today.
A big advantage of slowing down to look inward, is it helps us connect to our personal vision and principles.
Taking time to tap into our higher wisdom, shifts our focus from dependency on others to increased self-sufficiency.
Another important key to self-validation is to find a calling/purpose and go after it.
Some great ways to start on that are to investigate fields of study, take courses, get a degree, and/or work or volunteer in an area that intrigues us.
We feel greater life satisfaction when we pursue our own dreams, sense the value in what we do, and shine our light freely. Let's sparkle so the unique beauty that is inside can be seen, especially by us.
Knowing and aligning with our life purpose allows us to focus on what is truly important to us, rather than seek approval or direction from others.
Need ideas to help explore how to discover more meaning in life? Read this from Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W.
We can make the decision, fresh each day, to use affirmations and healthy lifestyle tips to enhance our sense of well-being, self-sufficiency, and self-compassion to enrich our lives.
Do you say affirmations for self-validation? Is it a regular practice? Please comment in the space provided below.
Which self-care tips resonate with you? Please share your ideas about that in the comments section below.
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The purpose of this post and one of my greatest passions is to educate people and help my readers love and care for themselves wholeheartedly.
Wishing you a happy day and many chances to affirm your goodness.
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