Trauma Support Community Check-in: Thursday-Friday, 28-29 January 2021
Hello everyone!
How are you feeling today?
Today I'd like us to practise some affirmations! Feel free to post your favourite affirmations, or follow some of the tips here for making new affirmations.
What is an affirmation? In this context, affirmations are sentences designed to support and encourage ourselves. They are positive messages. In healing from trauma, affirmations are especially powerful because often we do the opposite of affirmations all the time unconsciously (the opposite being discouraging comments towards ourselves) and this repetition makes us think very negatively about ourselves. To counteract this, we must think positive things over and over. The repetition is what makes them feel true. So it's something we must do consciously, repeatedly, and no matter what our mood is. What does this sound like??? It sounds like habit building or practising to me! Affirmations are a skill like any other that we must practise, work up to, and maintain.
So tips on designing affirmations that work for you. One idea is starting with something true and real. What do you like about yourself? Your laugh? Your eyes? A skill you have? Your kindness towards others? A personality trait? Pick something to focus on and just re-affirm it. "I am so funny" or "I have beautiful eyes" or "I remember song lyrics SO easily."
Some other common affirmations are "I'm safe", "It wasn't my fault", "I am worthy of respect", "I am allowed to say no", "I am strong". Pick an affirmation that is something you want to learn to feel about yourself. For me it was things like "You are allowed to feel angry" and "So what if this thing isn't hard for other people, it is hard for me and I'm doing it anyway, I am awesome".
Another tip is to use these affirmations while looking in the mirror, to make it more real. Some people also write out affirmations and put them all over the place. It's nice to go over to the fridge and see a "You're beautiful!" every morning. We deserve to think these things about ourselves, and change comes from within through practise.
Ending with a classic,
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I am doing better than I have in a while.
Affirmation. . .
I am a good person.
I am enough.
I have good hair.
I am a creative writer.
I will get out of my current living situation.
@Rebekahwriter13
I'm so glad that you're doing better! Thank you for checking in today. I love these affirmations. "I am enough" is so simple but so strong, and most importantly, so true.
I really needed this
@Elmertr12
Hey there, I'm glad to hear this post was helpful ❤️ Remember that you matter, your experiences and feelings are valid, and this community cares about you
@Hoxenos
Wow. This affirmation post was perfect timing.
@SnippyHam
Hey there! How are you? I'm so glad you appreciated this post ❤️ Always remember that you're enough, you're a valued member of our community, and we're always here to support you if you need it
I'm doing great right now and I'm enjoying my time. Thanks for asking, and for the support. Hope you have a nice day! :)
@Hoxenos
Hello 😌
I'm doing pretty well. The affirmation I repeat constantly is "it's past and I'm safe now". Sometimes i hear things from the past or I see a room that is not there, and I kind of panic, but then I try to remind myself that it is not true, that everything happened in the past and I'm safe now. It also helps me when I come to 7 cups because I know I came here after everything happened, so if I'm here it means everything is in the past.
Maybe I didn't explain myself very well, but my point is that repeating my affirmation gives me a feeling of safety almost every time, but off course nothing is perfect and sometimes it doesn't work.
@Kimmkimm
Hey Kimm ❤️
Those are some amazing affirmations! Good job on continually being kind to yourself and trying your best to stay in the moment. I know it can be so hard somtimes, but you've been fighting through it and you're doing so well! Keep going, and remember that you are loved and we're always here for you 🥰
@hopebeyondpain
I owe a lot to friends like you. Thank you for trusting me and believing in me. 🥰
How are you feeling today?
I feel so bad. I can't search or apply for a new job because I can't forget what happened in 6/1/2021 when I was fired in a sudden and insulting way and without getting my last salary. I feel injustice and dispair.
Affirmations:-
I don't know I am so blind now to see or know anything.
@DinaElwy
Hi Dina, thanks so much for checking in. I know it's tough to start affirmations on days when things are especially dark. Perhaps this is an exercise to try again on another day when the positives are more possible to see. Hang in there. you have time to work things out. There's no rush.
I have had a decent day I guess. I know I am okay now. Throughout the day I will say I was NOT okay
@Hoxenos My trauma recovery is going very slowly. My sister Kathryn completely invalidates any abuse I've had. I've been traumatized by what didn't happen, as well as what did. This past week I had a therapy appointment, but it was only for 30 minutes. I wish I could do 90 miinutes per week. Thursday I had an appointment with my primary care physician. There's nothing she can do for me. I just keep her updated on my progress with other providers. Friday I had an appointment with my homeopath. She is supposed to be sending me a new remedy soon. I'm putting all my hope into acupuncture. My next appointment should be Friday February 5th. I'm tired of living in a creepy house, with creepy room mates, in a creepy neighborhood. I'm always the brunt of someone else's incompetence.