Are positive thinking affirmations too good to be true? They seem too simple to make a difference in the way we think, the way we act, and the way we live our lives. But can they make a difference? Let’s take a look.
Breaking Down Positive Thinking Affirmations
Let’s start by talking about positive affirmations. What are they? There is no one true definition for a positive affirmation. The simplest explanation is to say they are positive phrases or statements that you say to yourself to change how you think and feel.
The practice involves repeating them enough times to take hold and change negative or self-sabotaging thoughts and actions into positive, self-affirming ones. While the statements might not hold true when you first begin the process of saying them to yourself, they become true over time as you absorb them into your subconscious, and you start to believe them.
Can Affirmations Work for Everyone?
Some people might feel like affirmations are a touchy-feely, new-age thing to do. People may also dismiss them as too holistic or too spiritual to be useful in everyday life. However, the truth is they can work differently and have a different influence on different people. There are many variables involved. Things that impact how quickly or effectively the process might work for different people include:
- Whether or not a person is open to the power of positive thinking and its ability to create change
- Different life experiences and different thought processes impact how people think and feel.
- The belief in the ability to change the way you think and feel
- The willingness to try to create positive thoughts and feelings and to change the negative mindset
- How deeply rooted the negative belief is in someone’s subconscious
So, can affirmations work for everyone? Positive thinking affirmations can work with the right mindset, the proper guidance, and the right tools. However, if the individual isn’t open to the idea of affirmations creating change, affirmations may not be able to override those deeply held beliefs. Nevertheless, with help from a good psychotherapist, even these people with overwhelmingly negative and self-sabotaging thoughts could benefit from positive thinking affirmations given enough time and the proper support.
Do Positive Thinking Affirmations Make a Difference?
Positive thinking can lead to a better, more joyful, more productive, and more successful life. The old mantra “saying it makes it so” is the belief system behind this method for changing negative thought processes into positive ones. Therefore, you can learn to be a more positive person.
There’s no time like the present if you’re ready to take the first step. Contact Positive Living Psychotherapy to learn more about how positive thinking affirmations can make a difference in your life.