You Can Change Your Mind
If you’re like me and you watched the Daily Affirmations skits on Saturday Night Live back in the 90’s, you might think that they are a joke. But if you want to improve your self image, or change the way you feel about yourself, or your body, you can actually rewire your brain.
I know we just went from Saturday Night Live to training your brain in a very short time. Stay with me because this is powerful stuff. I know because I have used daily affirmations and high fiving myself in the mirror and they have worked in my life.
Your mind can choose what it believes. In fact, you don’t have to believe everything you think. If you fill your mind with negative thoughts you will probably have a negative outlook, but if you want to change your thoughts, say positive affirmations repeatedly to yourself, especially in the mirror, and you will start to change your mind.
So let’s say you’re frustrated with yourself. Either you can’t seem to lose those last 10 pounds, or you’ve been trying to get back to the gym but it just hasn’t happened. Or you look in the mirror and feel like you lost your energy you had when you were younger. Instead of agreeing with yourself and sliding into a downward spiral, look yourself in the mirror and be kind and compassionate with yourself. See if any of these speak to you or find one and make it your own:
I deserve to feel peace in my body.
I accept myself unconditionally.
I will be comfortable in my own skin.
Affirmations have been around since the late 19th century but Louise Hay made them popular again and she created something called Mirror Work. She said “It (Mirror Work) makes you immediately aware of where you are resisting and where you are open and flowing. It clearly shows you what thoughts you will need to change if you want to have a joyous, fulfilling life.”
She recommended that people do mirror work for 30 days. Like any habit it can take effect from 21 days to 166 days. So try it and reap the benefits for yourself!
Mel Robbins used Mirror Work in a different way. She gave herself a high five in the mirror and then sets an intention for the day. If you tell yourself “You’ve got this.” or “You are enough.” enough times in the mirror and you seal it with the high five you are adding that physical affirmation to cheer for yourself. By telling yourself “You deserve to win.” you are setting yourself up for success. It’s really powerful, even if it feels weird at first. Be ready for that by the way. You may be uncomfortable looking yourself in the mirror for any period of time, but work with what comes up for you and give it a chance.
In order to get the full benefits, do mirror work consistently. If you have a physical reminder like a piece of paper or a sticky note, or if you just want to write on your mirror, you need to keep at it every day, preferably 2-3 times per day. It will help build your confidence, it will help you see yourself as capable and strong, and it will give you that extra boost when you need it most.
