25 self-love affirmations to pick yourself up on bad days

self-love-affirmations

 

When I think of self love I think self-indulgence,  an enlarged ego and the desperate desire for attention.

 

I think of all the stereotypes and the critical things people have to say about millennials. I think of the way we are mocked for our participation awards, our inspirational quotes and our obsession with documenting our lives online.

 

But what they often fail to mention are the pressures millennials face in this modern world.

 

The massive amounts of debt we incur through student loans, the impossible search for a stable job, the completely unrealistic housing prices and the constant inferiority we feel because of the highlight reel we see from our peers online.

 

This world squeezes us from every side. It crushes us beneath its weight. It tramples on our dreams and takes delight in leaving us feeling like a failure.

 

It can be hard to keep your head up against those pounding waves.

 

It can be a challenge to step into anything new, bold or daring when the way before you is paved with potential failure and an onslaught of “I told you so’s.

 

self love affirmations, importance of self love, learning to love yourself, be kind to yourself, self care, self compassion, things to remember on bad days, self love quotes, millennial,

 

I have struggled with self-love for as long as I can remember…

 

I have fallen into the trap of trying to be like everyone else many times.

 

I’ve berated myself for my differences and done everything I can to change them. To smother my uniqueness. To stifle my individuality.

 

However, I have come to realise that my greatest successes always come when I am being my authentic self. But it takes so much courage to live that way. To be unashamed of ourselves and to live without putting up walls that keep people out.

 

That kind of vulnerability requires incredible inner strength and an abundance of self love.

 

We have to recognise that in order to thrive in this world we need unshakable confidence in ourselves.

 

We have to believe in ourselves because we might just be the only one that does.


 

When you treat yourself with gentleness and compassion you create a safe environment where you have room to be vulnerable, to make mistakes, to try without fear of failing.

 

That’s what is so great about self love affirmations. They are more tangible. We can say them out aloud, write them down, hang them on our walls.

We can thread them through our lives so that they become part of our vocabulary. A familiar, friendly voice of encouragement.

 

They can change the way we think and talk about ourselves.

 

For many people, self-love can seem trivial. A luxury. An indulgence. But I believe that self-love is a necessity. Not a after thought or an add-on, but the one of the things we need most of all.

 

Self-love is important because it is our foundation

 

It is the place where we build all our beliefs about ourselves from. It is the difference between having the confidence to say YES or giving into fear and saying NO.

 

So here are some words of encouragement for you today and every day. For the bad days and the good. Words for you to speak over yourself and let sink deep down into your heart.

 

May they become part of your vocabulary, the new way you think and feel about yourself.

 

My dear millennial friends, this is your participation trophy, your pat on the back, your gentle reminder that you are doing a good job. I hope these self love affirmations will give you the confidence you need to face the world.

 

 

25 self love affirmations to remember on bad days:

 

 One. I’m proud of myself for daring to try, most people don’t even do that.

 

Two. I am not my mistakes, I forgive myself for those.

 

Three. I deserve love, compassion and empathy from others.

 

Four. No one is me and that is my super power.

 

Five. I am learning every single day.

 

Six. Fear is only a feeling, it will not hold me back.

 

Seven. I am doing the best I can with what I have.

 

Eight. I choose to stop apologizing for being myself.

 

Nine. I am free to make my own choices and decisions.

 

Ten. I will only surround myself with people who bring out the best in me.

 

Eleven. I will not compare myself to others.

 

Twelve. I am allowed to feel whatever emotions I do.

 

self-love-affirmations-4

 

Thirteen. I will not be controlled by my emotions, I am in control.

 

Fourteen. I don’t need to be impressive to anyone else.

 

Fifteen. I will treat my body with respect.

 

Sixteen. I am leaving the past behind me.

 

Seventeen. I am capable of handling whatever comes in the future.

 

Eighteen. I will be patient with myself as I grow.

 

Nineteen. I am grateful for my uniqueness I will not be ashamed of it.

 

Twenty. I accept I have weaknesses but they do not define me.

 

Twenty one: My vulnerability is my greatest strength.

 

Twenty two: I am proud of everything I have achieved so far.

 

Twenty three: I am a creative person when I give myself the chance to be.

 

Twenty four: I will take things one step at a time.

 

Twenty five: I am enough just as I am.

 

“I once was afraid of people saying ‘who does she think she is’ now I have the courage to stand and say ‘this is who I am.” Oprah Winfrey

 

If you would like to have a copy of each of these affirmations (like the image above) to stick on your bathroom mirror or fridge or bedside table… I’ve made a PDF document you can download and print out.

 

Just fill in your details below and it’s all yours!

 

What self love affirmations would you add to my list?

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12 Comments

  • Claire W.

    That last one though! The very trickiest one to embrace–which I think means I need to use it. I’ve equated my self-worth with my accomplishments for as long as I can remember. I really need to focus on just letting myself BE and be content with me in the present moment. I really love this list! <3

    February 22, 2019 at 2:13 pm Reply
    • Megan Hallier

      I totally get that. I was just thinking this morning how obsessive I can get about different causes. First it was healthy living and now being sustainable. And I really need to learn BALANCE and giving myself a break. Accepting yourself just as you are is so hard. And believing that we don’t need to DO anything is one thing that makes Christianity difficult!

      February 27, 2019 at 10:59 am Reply
  • Julie Hood

    It’s SUCH a relief to know that, for those of us that are following Jesus, God doesn’t see our mistakes and our failures, that he sees us as whole and as His. This post is loads of encouragement for any kind of day!

    February 23, 2019 at 5:34 am Reply
    • Megan Hallier

      That’s so true and also kind of hard to accept. Like really God? But didn’t you see all the ways I messed up? Are you sure I’m okay? Crazy.

      February 27, 2019 at 11:00 am Reply
  • Caitlin

    It’s so important to find ways to love ourselves! I feel like I need to laminate this list and post it near my desk for those days when you just need a pick-me-up. Thank you for sharing these, Megan!

    February 25, 2019 at 4:53 pm Reply
    • Megan Hallier

      That’s a brilliant idea! In fact that’s what Dom said when I got him to check over the post and that’s why I made the downloadable images. It would be an awesome thing to see every single day to be reminded of!

      February 27, 2019 at 11:01 am Reply
  • Emily Swanson

    I really love how so many of these actually describe the things God would say about us in Christ; that we are enough in Christ Jesus, that fear is only a feeling, and to trust God will free us from that fear! <3 One of the things that I struggled with the most when people would say 'self love' is thinking of it as egotistical and selfish, but what the Lord has taught me is that it is OK, it is GOOD to see ourselves as people, precious souls made in His image, for His glory, valuable, not meaningless or a mistake. <3 you so much friend.

    February 27, 2019 at 4:32 pm Reply
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  • Claudia

    What a beautiful post! I love everything about it. I’m actually also planning an affirmation post right now, and my affirmations are totally different again! This shows there are SO many great thoughts we can have… we must only think and learn to believe them! I really really love your writing style, Meghan! Keep rocking it 😀

    March 7, 2019 at 3:52 am Reply
    • Megan Hallier

      Oh that’s awesome Claudia, I look forward to reading it! True…and that’s the really tricky part, actually believing those words. Thanks so much <3

      March 7, 2019 at 9:15 am Reply
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