Why Your Affirmations Might Not Be Working
Why Your Affirmations Might Not Be Working—And How to Fix It
If you’ve ever tried using affirmations to create the life you desire, only to find them falling flat, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
When I first discovered affirmations, I was eager to use them as a tool to propel me toward my goals. I crafted positive statements, borrowed inspiring phrases from spiritual authors, and repeated them religiously. But instead of feeling empowered, I felt… stuck. The words seemed hollow, almost like a lie. Rather than inspiring action, they left me spiraling in doubt, locked in my head, and questioning their validity.
After several failed attempts, I gave up—until one pivotal realization changed everything:
The words themselves are not the magic.
The Missing Ingredient in Your Affirmation Practice
What I’ve learned is that affirmations are not just about repetition; they’re about evocation. The true power of affirmations lies in the feelings they awaken. When affirmations resonate emotionally, they spark a transformative process in the brain, paving the way for real, lasting change.
Here’s the science behind it:
Dr. James R. Doty, a renowned neurosurgeon, explains that engaging the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) allows the brain to step out of its reactive, automatic patterns. In this state, the brain creatively integrates past experiences, present awareness, and future possibilities into a cohesive, inspired vision.
But when the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)—our fight-or-flight mechanism—takes over, our brain becomes hyper-focused on threats and limitations. This state suppresses imagination, closing the door to hope, innovation, and meaningful change.
In other words, if your affirmations are emotionally flat, they won’t bypass the mental roadblocks created by the SNS. To break the cycle, you need affirmations that resonate with your heart and engage your PNS, opening your mind to new possibilities.
How to Make Affirmations Work for You
To transform affirmations into a powerful tool for creating the life you love, focus on cultivating the emotions that bring them to life. Use exercises that actively engage your PNS and foster a state of openness and curiosity. Here are a few you can try:
1. Pair Affirmations with Deep Breathing
Why it works: Deep, mindful breathing calms the SNS and activates the PNS, making you more receptive to affirmations.
How to do it:
Inhale deeply for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale slowly for six counts.
On each exhale, repeat an affirmation like: “I am safe and supported” or “I trust the process of life.”
Feel the calm and reassurance settle into your body.
2. Visualize the Affirmation as Reality
Why it works: Vivid mental imagery engages the brain’s creative centers, helping to form new neural pathways.
How to do it:
Close your eyes and repeat your affirmation, such as “I am living a joyful, fulfilling life.”
Imagine this reality in rich detail—what it looks like, how it feels, and the sounds around you.
Let the emotions of gratitude and excitement fill you as you visualize.
3. Practice Nighttime Affirmations
Why it works: The brain is particularly suggestible during the moments before sleep.
How to do it:
As you lie in bed, repeat affirmations like: “I release all worries and embrace peace.”
Let the words sink into your subconscious as you drift off to sleep.
The Key to Creating a Life You Love
Affirmations aren’t about simply saying the words—they’re about aligning your heart, mind, and body with the possibilities those words represent. When infused with genuine emotion and paired with practices that engage your PNS, affirmations become a gateway to transformation.
The journey to creating a life you love begins with small but intentional steps. With every heartfelt affirmation, you’re rewiring your brain, opening yourself to possibility, and stepping closer to the life you envision.
Now it’s your turn: What affirmation will you start with today?
For additional help, download our “Affirmations Activation Toolkit’ or email us at info@poshlifeconsulting.com.