12.22.23
27 Realistic Affirmations for Anyone Who Isn’t OK Right Now
New year, same struggle.
*Ominous voice* New Year’s Eve is coming. And if 2023 was very much not your year, it can be really hard to get psyched about what’s next. Instead of setting lofty resolutions, you might just be struggling to get by thanks to grief, unfinished 2023 goals, anxiety that won’t quit, or any other misfortune. So, let’s have a chat about how to navigate 2024 NYE stress with realistic affirmations that don’t sugar-coat your shitshow of a year.
If you’re new here, I’m a licensed therapist and your resident affirmations girlie. Hell, I even wrote a book filled with them, and I’ve got another one on the way. So yeah, I know a thing or two about how these positive (or sometimes neutral) statements can carry you through dark times, like New Year’s. While affirmations aren’t magic, regularly repeating them (aloud, in your mind, or in a journal) can validate your feelings, help you feel less alone in your struggle, and encourage you to crawl out of whatever funk you’re in. They’re an easily accessible tool to add to your self-care kit, and they can serve as regular reminders that you deserve peace and that happiness is just around the corner.
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So, if you’re ready to say good riddance to 2023 but nervous about what 2024 has in store, here are some realistic affirmations that will make you feel seen and address some not-so-fun emotions you might be experiencing as the year comes to an end.
For anyone dealing with a loss
While the end of year should be reserved for enjoying festive lights and watching Andy Cohen tell it like it is on NYE, December can also bring up overwhelming feelings of loss. Instead of sporting matching PJs, you might be grieving a broken engagement. Instead of gathering around a table of delicious food, you might’ve just buried a loved one. Instead of knocking out holiday shopping, maybe you’re dealing with the financial consequences of a “company restructuring.” Jerks. No matter the situation, it’s normal if you’re not feeling the holiday spirit and are wondering, What’s there to look forward to in the new year anyway?
As you grieve, it’s important to honor your feelings and have grace for yourself as you weather life’s changes and gather your emotional strength. If you’re mourning something or someone, these affirmations might help.
1. I am gentle with myself as I adjust to life after loss.
2. Grief has no timeline, so I will be patient with myself.
3. This is the end of a chapter that meant a lot to me, but there's still joy ahead.
4. I release judgment of my emotions and call in compassion.
5. The way I feel is normal, and I honor my emotions.
6. It is OK for me to experience happiness in the midst of my pain.
7. The hurt I feel from my loss is temporary, because things will get better.
For anyone who’s bummed about not completing their goals
It’s that time of the year where you look back at the goals you set 12 months ago and think, Who said that? As much as we hate to admit it, many of us create resolutions at the top of the year and don’t keep any of them. But you know what? That’s OK. (You don’t need six new outdoorsy hobbies anyway.) But what’s not cool is you feeling like a failure or comparing yourself to others who seemingly accomplished their goals. It’s better to embrace life as it happens than to obsess over resolutions you ditched.
To help you manage the self-loathing and shame that can come with not being where you want to be, keep these affirmations nearby.
1. I have the power to reach my goals when I am ready.
2. What I do or don’t accomplish does not define my self-worth.
3. My life’s journey is uniquely designed for me.
4. There is no expiration date on my goals.
5. I reject the need to compare myself to others.
6. A new year gives me another chance to complete my goals.
For anyone who feels hopeless about basically everything
Raise your hand if you’re tired of living though historic events that shock your system and leave you feeling defeated. Same. It basically feels like the entire world is in shambles at all times and there’s little we can do on an individual level to fix it. (That’s not actually true, but it can feel like it is.) Meanwhile, you could also be going through your own personal hell, which just adds to that existing hopeless feeling.
If you’re emotionally maxed out while others around you are hyped about 2024 (damn, what’s that like?), try to find some solace in knowing that it’s understandable if you’re not feeling celebratory and don’t know how to fix *gestures wildly* all this. To help you push through and regain a bit of hope, lean on these affirmations.
1. I deserve to have a life that I love.
2. My best is more than enough.
3. I’m living through unprecedented times, and it’s OK if I’m struggling to keep up.
4. I welcome new opportunities and people that bring me joy.
5. Giving up on myself is not an option.
6. I must prioritize myself, because it helps me to feel better.
7. Hopelessness no longer has a home in my heart.
8. In time, I will find a path to contentment.
For anyone who feels anxiety creeping in
While the new year can signal new opportunities and possibly the best year of your life thus far, it could also mean new problems or continuing whatever dumpster fire you’re currently in. The potential for a garbage year can cause anxiety to do a number on you by giving you bubble guts (ah, just what you need for a NYE bash), wreaking havoc on your mind, and causing your perfectionism to flare up. Letting anxiety win isn’t an option, so try making a commitment to building resilience and facing obstacles with more courage in 2024. For some peace of mind, you already know what to do with these affirmations.
1. My anxiety is temporary, and I am safe.
2. Being anxious about my future is normal, but I won’t let anxiety dictate my every move.
3. I let go of the things I can’t control and embrace freedom.
4. I’m inhaling peace and exhaling those anxious BS thoughts.
5. I am at ease with what’s to come in the new year.
6. I trust that I can handle any future obstacles.
Wondermind does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health or mental health professional with any questions or concerns about your mental health.
