Choose Affirmations That Resonate with You and Are Believable
You know those affirmations that sound like they were written by a unicorn on a sugar high? Yeah, toss those. This is about picking mantras that don’t make your inner skeptic roll its eyes so hard you pull a parenting muscle. If you’re tired of pretending you’re a zen master when you’re actually running on three hours of sleep and cold coffee, this might be your jam.
When you repeat affirmations that actually feel true, your brain gets a tiny hit of dopamine and your stress levels can drop (instead of spiking from trying to convince yourself you’re a parenting superhero). Believable affirmations help wire your brain for resilience, self-compassion, and realistic optimism, which means you’re less likely to melt down when your kid pours milk on the cat.
How to do it
First, let go of any affirmations that make you cringe. If a phrase feels forced or reminds you of a Pinterest fail, skip it.
Choose one or two affirmations that feel supportive and encouraging—think of them as a gentle nudge, not a guilt trip.
Place your chosen affirmations somewhere you’ll see them often, such as:
- On your bathroom mirror
- As your phone lock screen
- Inside your diaper bag
Say your affirmations out loud, even if your only audience is the family goldfish. The act of speaking them helps reinforce the message.
If an affirmation stops feeling genuine, don’t hesitate to adjust it. Tweak the wording until it feels right for you.
You can even use your toddler’s snack time as a moment for affirmations. While they’re busy with crackers, take a minute for yourself—no judgment from them!
