In a world where finding out who you are can be hard, my time as an “Affirmation Collector” has been life-changing, helping me grow and feel more powerful. It can sound strange or abstract to gather affirmations, but it has helped me change the way I think and who I am. This path hasn’t been a straight line; there have been good and bad times along the way. But through it all, I’ve learned how important it is to be true to myself, be conscious of what I’m doing, and have a clear goal.

My journey started when things were tough for me. I, like many others, had to deal with self-doubt, worry, and the pressure of expectations from myself and others. The sound of negative self-talk was so loud that it drowned out any acceptance of myself. It was during these times that I learned about affirmations. I was doubtful at first since saying nice things about myself over and over seemed silly. But because I was so desperate for change, I decided to give it a shot.

At first, I started with small things. Every morning, I would write a little affirmation on a sticky note and put it on the mirror in my bathroom. On bad days, it was easy to connect with phrases like “I am enough,” “I deserve love,” and “I have the strength to get through tough times.” It may seem small, but with time, I started to notice changes in the way I thought. Recognizing even the smallest positive things on purpose gave me a new feeling of hope.

As I learned more about this practice, I started to gather a list of affirmations that fit with different parts of my life. For instance, I learned how important it is to say positive things about my creative work. I often doubted myself when I was working on my Blog. To counteract this, I added affirmations about my Blog, such as “My creativity flows easily” and “I welcome every chance to express myself.” These words became my own mantras, making it easier for me to be creative.

Over time, I started to see the profound importance context was for my affirmations. The phrases I chose weren’t random; they were based on my own experiences, problems, and victories. I began to look more closely at who I was and what was important to me. I made it a habit to say things like “This too shall pass” and “I choose to be EXTRTEMELY grateful for the abundance I have every day” that reflected my underlying convictions. Collecting affirmations not only helped me stay positive, but it also helped me understand who I am and what I stand for.

As I added more affirmations to my collection, I also learned more about how important it was to find a community. Something amazing happened when I posted my journey on social media. I realized that a lot of other people were looking for their affirmation group. As I read other people’s stories, I finally found a place where I could not only encourage others but also agree with them—strangers sharing their own thoughts —which helped me see things from a different angle. Interacting with a variety of affirmations made me feel more connected and reminded me that growth is not always straightforward. We could motivate each other, and together we can ignite a tapestry of support that can go beyond our own lives.

Collecting affirmations is wonderful, but my journey wasn’t without doubts and problems. When external events made me feel like I was going to drown, I began to doubt the value of this practice. A lot of the time, I would wake up feeling overwhelmed or like I wasn’t good enough, and I would doubt the truth of my affirmations. It was during these trials that I learned a vital lesson: affirmations are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They need time, practice, and the ability to change.

To get through this learning curve, I had to accept my weaknesses and realize that it’s okay to feel weak. I learnt how to change my affirmations to fit the situation. When things were really hard, I cut my affirmations down to one strong phrase that I thought I could do, such as “I will take today one step at a time.” This challenge taught me how important it is to be flexible in my affirmation practice.