A habit is defined as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that’s hard to give up,” and it’s often said that it takes 21 days to form a solid one. If you’re looking to elevate your vibrational frequency or boost your self-confidence, daily affirmations are one of the most powerful tools you can incorporate. Affirmations help reprogram your mind by replacing negative or self-limiting beliefs with positive, empowering ones. The more consistently you practice them, the more your energy will shift, as affirmations become one of the most transformative habits you can add to your self-care routine.

Whether you’re already familiar with affirmations or are just starting out, we invite you to try our affirmations exercise below. Find a quiet space where you can focus, follow the steps, and make a commitment to practice them daily. Our only request is that you embrace them as a consistent part of your daily rituals, so they can begin to work their magic.

Step 1: Begin by closing your eyes, taking a few deep breaths and saying out loud or to yourself: “My words are extremely powerful and allow me to connect directly to source energy. What I speak, I create. What I affirm, I believe. And with the help of the universe, I program my dreams and desires into a new and beautiful reality.”

Step 2: Repeat the “Affirmations” pdf. (Looking at yourself in the mirror with conviction and confidence as you repeat them is highly suggested.)

Step 3: Close out by taking a few deep breaths and saying out loud or to yourself: “Universe, I am open to receiving. I believe in the power of the affirmations that I repeat, and with your blessings and my faith, I am certain they will become true.”

Self-love means something different to everyone, and that’s perfectly okay—our diverse perspectives are what make humanity so rich and unique. However, one thing we can all agree on is that self-love is the foundation of true happiness. Just as the definition varies, self-love practices also look different for each person. Regardless of where you are on your self-love journey, we invite you to try our “Daily Self-Love Checklist” below. It’s a powerful tool to infuse positivity into your energy field and enhance your relationship with yourself.

1: Meditate for ten minutes.

2: Say aloud five things that you are grateful for.

3: Say aloud five things that you affirm about or for yourself.

4: Perform some sort of exercise for fifteen minutes.

5: Perform a stretching routine for five minutes to loosen up your muscles and get more limber.

6: Journal. Write down how you are feeling at the current moment or what you would like to release or call in.

7: Perform a random act of kindness.

8: Give a big smile to anyone that you make direct eye contact with.

9: Give someone a compliment.

10: Prepare yourself a healthy and nutritious meal.

11: Look in the mirror, smile, and tell yourself “I Love You.”

The shadow work exercise that inspired this approach comes from Delphina Wood’s Chakra Healing with Shadow Work. While it was both challenging and transformative for me, I adapted it to better align with my own practice, which made it even more effective. Consistently doing the work with intention has helped me cultivate a healthier, more compassionate relationship with my shadow and myself. With time and dedication, I hope this practice can have a similarly profound impact on you. Please check out our shadow work exercise below.

Step 1: Breathwork

Find a quiet space where you can totally focus. When you do so and you are ready, close your eyes and take three deep breaths, holding at the top for five seconds each time. At the bottom of the third return to your normal pattern of breathing.

 Step 2: Meeting Your Shadow

I find this portion more impactful if you envision yourself in a place that you love and makes you feel safe. A place that I love is the where the River Alzette flows through Luxembourg City so I am basing the exercise from that point of view.

Imagine that you are walking through the Alzette valley where the river flows peacefully through Luxembourg. As you continue to walk, you glance around at the beauty and serenity of it all, then close your eyes and take in a nice deep breath. You walk some more, until you come across a bench. You sit down and take in all the ambiance. As you sit there quietly a person sits directly to your right. Take notice of the person; is it a male, female, non-binary? What is the demeanor, sad, happy, upset, or angry? Regardless of who it is or how it feels, this is your shadow self and it is ready to speak with you.

Allow your shadow to speak freely. It is very important to listen to what it says and allow it enough grace to express itself.  Listen carefully and identify how your body relates to its words. It might be extremely triggering or hurtful to hear, but take note and hold on to those feelings no matter how daunting they are. If the exercise feels hard or begins to get tough, start practicing some breathwork. Breathe deeply and try to bring yourself at ease while trying to reconcile your feelings.

 Once your shadow is done speaking and if you feel comfortable, express your feelings and point of view. Be open, honest, and authentic because after all your shadow is a part of you and knows if you are being upfront. Let it all out. While your shadow might feel hurt or emotional, all it wants to know is that you are there, present, and listening to it.

Step 3: Closing Out the Exercise

 Take as much time you need, but when you are ready to conclude the exercise make sure to thank your shadow. Express your appreciation for the time you’ve spent together and how much you love and care for it. Depending on your level of comfortability, try to give your shadow a nice, tight, loving embrace. You can say farewell in any manner that feels comfortable to you.

Before you reopen your eyes, take three deep breaths, holding at the top for five seconds each time. At the bottom of the third return to your normal pattern of breathing. As you open your eyes take note of how you feel. Partaking in this exercise might give you a hint of anxiety, but it will make you feel much lighter and place things into a much better perspective. Be sure to journal and take notes afterwards and it is highly recommended to check in with your shadow often in order to cultivate a healthy relationship with it. The more you work towards healing the dynamic, the healthier and more empowered you will become.

If you’re seeking spiritual coaching, we highly recommend working with our partner Tracy Livingston of God Sunshyne. As a certified life coach, spiritual guide, and medium, Tracy uses her unique abilities to support individuals ready for growth, seeking guidance, or navigating challenging times. She offers a sanctuary of peace, helping you connect with universal wisdom and discover the answers within. To learn more about Tracy and the services she offers, click here for more information.