32 Energizing Affirmations for When You're In a Funk

What if we exercised our brains the way we do our bodies? Showing up day after day to put in the work and make positive changes adds up over time, and this is as true for our minds as it is our abdominals. It’s easy to forget that, when it comes to living out our fullest potential, we’re in the driver’s seat.

I frequently remind myself that there are no shortcuts in life, and real growth comes from focusing on the process – those small changes that, over time, change everything.

All that being said, the process can sometimes be a pain in the ass. We don’t usually treat ourselves with the same kindness we might show other people, especially when we’re in a funk. We all know that feeling: your brain gets cloudy, your anxiety skyrockets, and you can’t find the motivation for even the smallest of tasks like making your bed. I know I’m in a funk when I’m constantly getting in my own way. I get reactive instead of intentional, worried instead of present, and distracted instead of grounded. I start to look outside of myself for validation and peace, when I know those things can only be found within. Stress, exhaustion, big life events and burnout are usually to blame, but there are so many reasons why we might feel off our game every once in awhile. During these times, it’s especially important to be aware of how you’re talking to yourself. You might be ruminating, dwelling on something out of your control, or you’re simply on autopilot because your brain is everywhere else but the present moment. This, my friends, is where the process (and affirmations) come in.

Your whole world is built by your thoughts. Some of these thoughts swirl around at the forefront of our minds, but even those that exist deep down affect the way we think and make decisions. Of course, being self aware can often lead to healthy self-criticism, and staying true to yourself is always a good thing. But the goal of practicing positive affirmation is to tap into these reservoirs of thought, both conscious and unconscious, in order to challenge the negative thinking patterns we can all fall into. By writing down just a few of these mantras daily, you can completely change your mindset for the better. In fact, self-affirming is so powerful that it can literally rewire your brain. It’s been scientifically proven that positive affirmations help lower stress levels, improve well-being, and actually increase neural pathways in the brain. Our minds are powerful, but we don’t give them the same attention and care that we might our bodies or our homes.

Below is a list of affirmations I’ve collected from books, journals, and various corners of the internet that have helped me reinforce a positive mindset. If you’re new to affirmations, “fake it ’till you make it” is the name of the game here. Choose a few to write down and meditate over in your journal day after day, even when you feel totally fine. It might be a little uncomfortable to write to yourself about how awesome you are, but trust me, it works. Over time, you’ll gain confidence, awareness, and feel more connected to your values. You’ll also be able to better regulate your emotions, and respond more constructively to stressful situations.

We can’t control most of what happens to us, but we can control our minds. Positive affirmations have the power to translate words into thoughts and thoughts into actions. So go tell yourself how awesome you are, and start feeling good! You deserve it.

All images are original artwork from Morgan Harper Nichols. You can find more of her amazing work at her website here.