Positive Affirmations to Grow Confidence

Ever since I was a little girl, my mother always reiterated the old saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Perhaps I didn’t listen because my mother, a former English major, loved dropping random Shakespeare and Byron quotes without any rhyme or reason. But as I grew up, developed my writing skills and, more specifically, started writing for Her Campus about diversified and personal topics, I began to resonate with that quote more and more. Words have the power to impact how you feel and are often more impressionable than actions.

I never really understood the power of what I myself or others said until high school, when I surrounded myself with people who didn’t want to see me grow. One of the things I’ve learned now, years later, is that that groups of people wanted to see me do well, but never better than them. Surrounding myself in that mindset made my inner monologue one that was quite negative, and again, I realized words are powerful. 

Today, sometimes my inner critic still lurks in the back of my mind when I’m trying something new, struggling, taking a risk or being bold. However, I’ve learned to calm it down using words. Positive affirmations, phrases or mantras that one repeats to themselves to describe a specific outcome or image of self, have the ability to influence your outlook on life. Even if at first, the affirmations feel or seem untrue, the constant repetition of them forces your subconscious to believe in them. This process was influential in my journey to self-acceptance, and I am excited to share twenty of my personal favorite positive affirmations that grew my confidence.

1. I am worthy of great things.

2. I am in charge of my own self-worth.

3. There are endless opportunities around me.

4. I am enough.

5. Having a bad day is okay.

6. I’ve done my best today.

7. I am capable of more than I think.

8. Small steps are progress.

9. I am exactly where I need to be right now. 

10. I’m brave enough to climb any mountain.

11. I was not made to give up.

12. My growth is a continuous process.

13. I am doing my best.

14. My possibilities are endless. 

15. I am proud of myself and all that I have accomplished. 

16. I love my body as it is today.

17. I will not worry about the things I cannot control.

18. I am grateful for new experiences.

19. I am proud of who I am becoming.

20. I believe in myself.

I hope repeating these affirmations is a daily practice you consider. Not only will you feel your outlook on life begin to change, but you will feel more confident and comfortable with being as you are.

• affirmations
• confidence
• self worth
• self-identity
• words