For many of us, giving a compliment to a family member, friend or even a stranger is often a part of daily conversation. We give these compliments to others because we want to help lift their spirits and confidence, but how often do we say the same positive things to ourselves?
Positive affirmations are positive and motivational statements that can be used each day to help confront self-doubt and negative perceptions of ourselves. For some, negative statements can become a permanent state of mind and almost a self-fulfilling prophecy – by inviting negativity into our mindset we are inviting those negative thoughts to become true. If we tell ourselves repeatedly that we aren’t good enough, we will soon start to believe it.
By using positive affirmations we can retrain ourselves to think in a more positive way and be more kind to ourselves, use them as a motivational tool and replace the negative thoughts that follow us around with thoughts that make us feel good. They can be used for anything, including times when we are lacking in self-confidence or are dealing with overbearing people in our lives, want to work towards our goals, go for a new job promotion or increase our productivity.
15 positive affirmations to tell yourself each day

I am doing my best each and every day. Remember that any progress made and goal achieved, however big or small, is something to celebrate – remind yourself that you are doing your best each day to make your life better!
I love myself for who I am. In the words of Ru Paul, “If you don’t love yourself, how… are you going to love somebody else?”. Look at yourself in the mirror and start to work on accepting yourself for who you are, flaws and all. tell yourself the same things you would tell a loved one.
I choose to be happy. While there are lots of factors that can cause stress and unhappiness, making the choice to be happy makes all the difference.
It is my choice to decide how I feel. Nobody can tell you how to feel about a particular situation (although many will often try to!). It is entirely up to you to decide how you feel, and you can be content in your decision.
I am going to trust my instincts. It is incredibly easy to allow others to tell us that our instincts are wrong – this affirmation is a powerful tool to overcome self-doubt and start trusting your own thoughts.
I am worthy of investing in myself. Whether it is time, money or both, you are allowed to invest in yourself in the same way you would invest in others.
Today is an opportunity to grow. Every new day is a new opportunity for anything that you want.
I have everything that I need to succeed. You don’t need anything or anyone else but yourself to achieve your goals and dreams.
This is only a short phase and will be over soon. When negative things happen, remember that it won’t last forever and things will start to get better.
I love what I love. There is no such thing as a guilty pleasure – embrace what you love and make no apologies for it.
I strive for joy, not for perfection. There is no such thing as perfection – indeed, nobody is perfect – but finding happiness in what you do will bring you far more.
I will grow by being still. Sometimes, it is okay to remember that doing nothing, resting, recharging or taking a more relaxed, simple approach will bring better results.
I will put myself first. This is difficult, particularly if you are a people pleaser and feel responsible for everyone around you. Remember that you are allowed to make yourself a priority, even if isn’t all the time.
I am deliberate in what I do and am not afraid to achieve my goals. Making a plan and being intentional and deliberate in every action will help you to work towards what it is that you want.
I am grateful for everything I have and for every day. Problems are always relative to each individual, but sometimes can be overwhelming. Be thankful that you have woken up that morning and have the opportunity to experience whatever the day may bring.
Remember that positive affirmations can be anything you want that suits you and your purpose, so don’t be afraid to make up your own. Write them down, stick them on post-it notes around your house, and then stand in a mirror and tell yourself your positive affirmations every day!