Life skills are a part of the programs and services that CHV uses to support and empower youth. Some workshops, like cooking and Rent Smart, help youth navigate practical, daily challenges that they will face when they become independent. Some workshops focus on less tangible, but just as important, challenges, such as positive affirmations.
What Are Positive Affirmations?
According to WebMD, “Positive affirmations are made up of phrases that you can say aloud to yourself or in your head. You can also write them down and make sure they’re always visible. Positive affirmations are meant to help build you up and improve your confidence, even when things are difficult.
The purpose of positive affirmations is to help you overcome negative thoughts that make you doubt yourself. Daily positive affirmations are meant to minimize negativity and help you see yourself in a positive light.
An essential part of doing positive affirmations is not to deny your reality. Denial isn’t a good coping strategy. It’s necessary to process the tough times you’re dealing with and start working through the feelings. Affirmations are meant to acknowledge what you’re going through and how difficult it is, then help you get through the other side of this challenge.”
Research has shown that positive affirmations help you to:
- Decrease stress
- Increase well-being
- Improve your academic performance
- Help you become more open to behavioural change
Positive affirmations affirm your self-worth by reflecting on your core values. Repeating positive phrases help disrupt negative thoughts and help build new pathways in your brain for positive thoughts.
Here are some examples of positive affirmations:
- My efforts help me succeed.
- My hard work will pay off.
- I am strong.
- I have the power to make the right choices for myself.
- I have faith in my abilities.
- I am confident.
- I trust myself.
- I am safe.
- I love myself.
- It’s okay for me to have fun.
Mirror Workshop
On a Wednesday morning, Desiree, Life Skills Coordinator at CHV, led a drop-in style workshop on mirrors. The workshop spanned the majority of the morning, so that youth could attend, based on their schedule for the day.
Several tables were pushed together to create one large surface that contained self-standing mirrors, a variety of sculpting foam clays, and paints. In addition to the craft materials, there were pads of sticky notes. On a white board, Desiree had written down examples of positive affirmations.
While youth decorated their mirrors, Desiree talked about positive affirmations and how they are like an exercise for your mind which will help combat negative thoughts by rewiring your brain. The affirmation work will help youth foster self-care and self-love.
While decorating their mirrors, youth were asked to think about what affirmations might help them. They were encouraged to write them down on the sticky notes and place them on their mirrors. That way, when they look at themselves in their mirrors, they will be reminded about repeating their positive affirmations.
Not every day is a good day, in front of the mirror. As one youth stated, “Some days the mirror is your friend, and other days it’s not.” Seeing the positive affirmations will help youth to overcome the negative thoughts and focus on positivity.
By the end of the workshop, youth had very personalized mirrors that showcased a variety of design ideas, as well as positive affirmations, which they could take back to their rooms.
A New Year
At the start of a new year, many people set goals for themselves, such as getting fit, eating healthier, or pursuing a hobby.
How many people include positive affirmations as part of their resolutions? Are you going to start?
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and X, and, if you’d like, share the positive affirmations that you will work on, this year. Who knows, your affirmations may help someone overcome their negative thoughts, or inspire them to work on self-love.