Pro Tips Link Copied 07.25.24

28 Self-Love Affirmations That Won’t Make You Feel Like a Fraud

Being delulu can only take you so far. ByOludara Adeeyo, LCSW

Shutterstock / Wondermind

Practicing self-love in a world that demands a lot of us isn’t easy. At school or work, we’re asked to go above and beyond to succeed. At home, we may have people, animals, or things that depend on our care—even if it’s just a pile of dirty laundry. All of that can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself, depleted, and like you’ll never be enough. That’s where self-love affirmations come in.

As a mental health therapist and affirmation pro (no, for real, I write books full of affirmations), I am here to say that you’re more than enough, no matter what slander your negative thoughts spread. 

If you’re not familiar, self-love affirmations (or any kind of affirmation really) are positive statements you can use as a healthy coping mechanism when life gets you down. These little phrases flip the script on the rude lies you tell yourself or limiting beliefs you subscribe to. Ultimately, kicking off an affirmation practice can help you improve your mental fitness, reconnect with who you are, and start believing in yourself again. You’ll likely find that, yes, you are incredible and unstoppable.

It’s not even that hard. You can incorporate affirmations into your routine by repeating them to yourself in the mirror as you get ready, at your desk, or in your car. If you want to really dig in, set aside a block of time to concentrate on them, quietly writing them down or repeating them out loud to yourself or just in your mind. You can use affirmations as soon as you wake up, during a break in your day, or before you go to bed. Ultimately, the best way to use self-love affirmations is whatever way works for you. That could be every day or as needed to increase your self-esteem. 

When you add affirmations into your self-care strategies, you’ll quickly start to see the effects of speaking positively to yourself. Your self-love will get a boost, you’ll prioritize your needs more easily, and find it easier to help those who need you. 

Sounds amazing, right? Well, the catch is this: In order to be effective, your affirmations need to be realistic. Unfortunately, they won’t work if you don’t actually believe they’re true. 

And that’s where I come in. If you’re ready to get started, here are 28 affirmations that feel down to earth and pragmatic enough for your Debbie downer mindset to accept. Plus, they’re specific to whatever struggle you’re going through. 

As always, choose what works for you, leave the rest, and prepare yourself for some serious self-love. 

When you’re comparing yourself to others

It’s true, comparison is the thief of joy. Still, comparing your looks, life, or aesthetic to others feels unavoidable when social media delivers your high school classmates’ lives straight to your eyeballs. Three kids? New car? Fourth vacation this year? Cool.

But, remember, you don’t know the full story. Everybody’s life has a hard part to it. That’s why it’s best to trust your life’s path and focus on your journey. Your life is yours and nobody else’s—so it deserves your full attention. When you’re stuck in a social media comparison trap (or any kind), use these affirmations to see yourself out.

1. I trust that what’s meant for me will not miss me.
2. My life’s path is uniquely designed for me.
3. Comparing myself to others distracts me from my life’s purpose.
4. I will not envy other people’s lives, as I don’t know the full story.
5. I choose to see the good in my life and trust its journey.
6. My life’s story is still unfolding, and I will not allow comparison to steal my joy.
7. I choose not to judge where I am in life.

When you’re feeling unmotivated 

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by life. We’ve all been in that place where it feels impossible to do anything productive or positive, and you can’t predict when it will strike. Whether you’re in a depressive funk, burned out, or just took a couple Ls, try not to let any of these hurdles hold you back. Instead, be gentle with yourself and use these realistic self-love affirmations to inspire self-care and a bit more confidence.

1. I deserve the same love and appreciation I show others.
2. I am capable of tapping into my inner confidence.
3. Doing what feels right for me is OK.
4. I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
5. My mindset can help me reach my goals.
6. I release the negative thoughts that are holding me back.
7. My past does not dictate what my future will be.

When you’re going through a stressful time

In the thick of it, taking care of yourself is probably the last thing on your mind. Self-love? Don’t know her. But to prevent yourself from spiraling deeper into stress-induced emotional despair, you’ll need to make time for yourself and some positive self-talk. Even if you’ve just got two minutes, take a deep breath and repeat one of these self-love affirmations.

1. I will get through this hard time as best as I can.
2. I inhale peace and exhale stress, anxiety, and all the things that are bothering me.
3. Making time for myself in the midst of my stressors is a priority.
4. This feeling is temporary, and I will be at ease again soon.
5. I am in control of my reactions to stressful situations.
6. I deserve rest even when I’m stressed.
7. I will not believe the lies my anxiety tells me.

When work is a lot right now

Most of us have work, coworkers, clients, deadlines, and other tasks that have to be handled in order to pay our bills. But when our job is becoming a little too much, it can impact every area of our lives. If you’re in one of those seasons where the 9-to-5 feels like nonstop nonsense, it’s time to pull out the self-love affirmations so you can finish the week feeling just a little better than when it started. 

1. I am confident in my abilities to complete all my tasks.
2. This job provides me with the means to take care of myself.
3. I am grateful for my job, even when it’s pissing me off.
4. My efforts at work are more than enough.
5. Each day is a new opportunity for me to achieve greatness.
6. I will try to be patient and understanding with difficult situations.
7. I do not have to respond with urgency to everything at work.