I believe in the power of positive reinforcement.

I have always been that child that craved my parent’s guidance at home and my teachers’ direction at school. I excelled when faced with challenges and was always up for healthy competition. I knew I was doing well when rewarded with praise and recognition. On the flip side, I knew I could have put in more effort when I lacked the reinforcement. I began to chase the happy, rewarding feelings that came with the power of positivity and knew I had to adopt these habits to maintain this level of joy in my life.

What is an affirmation?

We all need reminders every now and then to stay positive and motivated throughout our day. You don’t just wake up feeling fabulous (well, some of us don’t) as soon as the alarm goes off. Some of us need help keeping calm when a mountain of responsibilities, projects, deadlines, kids, work, friends, family loom over us daily. An affirmation is that little voice that guides your thoughts telling you it’s all going to be ok. Even though you may not feel all cool and collected, the affirmation reminds you that the time will pass and you will power through it.

How to use affirmations?

It takes exactly 11 days to form a new habit. To make affirmations become a part of your healthier lifestyle, you must use it daily. As soon as you wake up, tell yourself that today will be a great day! So simple, no? It REALLY is that simple! The hardest part is staying consistent. Remind yourself throughout the day that you’re doing a great job and don’t sweat the small stuff when things don’t go your way. Life is never fair but your self-talk is your first foray into making affirmations work for you. You don’t need to shout it from the rooftops or repeat the prayers in your mirror, a simple brain-shift to quietly focus on your mantra should do the trick.

Why affirmations work

The more connected you are to what you’re saying and feeling, the more power your words will have to bring about positive change. Having this mindset early on helped me to navigate the treacherous waters of my teenage and early adult years. I knew that happiness was a muscle, one that must be exercised regularly to stay strong and accessible. You must stay positive to keep the positivity going. If you don’t use it, you lose it. We all need that extra boost of self-esteem when life happens and we pick up little scars along the way.

The pain is what makes us human. The positivity is what makes us divine.

You truly can overcome just about anything if you train yourself with daily affirmations, every day, in every way.

How to stop the negativity

The holidays are hectic enough as it is so if you find yourself overwhelmed and lost through the madness of it all, try this little exercise:

Stop what you’re doing. Relax your body and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose (wait 2 seconds) then breathe it all out of your mouth. Then think of 2 things you are grateful today and let that memory seep through your pores and simply settle in the moment.

Gratitude is your first foray into ultimate happiness and full-time euphoric bliss. The more gratitude you have in your heart, the more grateful you will feel no matter what life throws your way. Adjusting your attitude of gratitude will help your affirmations flow like water and you’ll be able to turn it on and off at the flick of your internal switch.

SHOP THE LOOK

Use code juliekhuu20 for an Extra 20% OFF all SHEIN purchases valid until January 1, 2019

Affirm your way to your dream life

When you master the art of daily affirmations, you are one step closer to manifesting the life you have always desired. I used to be very negative, very judgmental, and always very critical of myself and others. I didn’t know why I always beat myself up or always felt uneasy in my body and mind? I had to make a very conscious decision to stop the insanity before I lost control. You must be very deliberate and determined to make affirmations work for you.

But once you’re on the other side babes, it’s like an entire dream world just opened itself up to you. You can DO anything, BE anyone, LOVE deeper, LIVE better, FEEL stronger; you can virtually create any life you can imagine.