09/27/2025
Day 27! So close!
THE CHALLENGE 🌿
Write one positive affirmation or encouragement and put it somewhere you see often, like a mirror or your office desk.
Here are some suggestions if you get stuck:
✦ I am worthy of love
✦ I am important
✦ I don't need to apologize for existing
✦ Progress over perfection
✦ I can do hard things
✦ I am loved
✦ I am safe
✦ New morning, new mercies
✦ My needs matter and I will meet them without apology
WHY THIS HELPS ✨
If you struggle with negative thinking and rumination, it is because you have created a pathway in your brain that it is very familiar with. Think of it like walking on a snowy path - the more you walk on it, the deeper the path gets. If you were to try to make another pathway, it is totally possible, it just takes more work than going down the same old path. Until you actively work on changing your thinking, your brain will continue going down the easy path automatically and indefinitely.
Luckily, changing that path (rewiring your brain) is not too difficult or time consuming! It starts with recognizing what negative thought you are thinking and beginning to tell your brain the truth instead. If you do this often enough, eventually you begin to believe it and your brain will be able to think the new, positive thought more easily.
If you want to go deeper into this topic, a great place to start is the book "Switch on your Brain" by Dr. Caroline Leaf. She explains everything you need to know about brain retraining and how to do it without making it overly complicated.
HOW TO DO THIS REGULARLY ❖
Do NOT overwhelm yourself with this. It is easy to begin identifying EVERY thought pattern you want to change, but going slowly will be the most efficient way to make real change. Target one thought pattern at a time, regularly reminding yourself of the truth every day, several times a day. Aim for at least 7 times! You can have affirmations placed around your common areas, reminders on your phone, etc.
It is important to act on that new truth as well, even if you are still struggling to believe it. Repetition and action will help your brain begin to create a solid new pathway. For example, if your affirmation is "I do not need to apologize for existing," actually begin to stop apologizing for unnecessary things all the time! Don't say sorry for things that you do not need to be sorry for.
It gets easier with time! The current recommendation is to do this for 63 days to make this new thought pattern a true habit for your brain. After that, it should be an automatic thought, just like the negative thinking once was.
Hope this helps! See you tomorrow!