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Happy December, y’all! It’s been almost two years since I left the corporate world, stepping into a solopreneur lifestyle. While the freedom from working for the man is the greatest reward, I have found there are still challenges in finding my daily “structured purpose,” monetizing it, and trusting myself that I can in fact run a successful business.

One of the biggest habits I have implemented this last year is writing daily affirmations. Yes, I have a special notebook where I also write daily gratitude, growth, and goals. Every morning, I make my best effort to grab my coffee, glasses, notebook, and pen and have a little writing ritual.

Now, I’ll admit, I wasn’t always one for journals. I used to see daily writing as a chore. And I’m still not keen on documenting everything I do. But here’s what I have realized: affirmations are a game changer.  I feel as though they have become daily doses of magic.

Here’s a mind-blowing stat: the National Science Foundation says we churn 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts daily. (I can’t help but think most women likely have more like 60,000…) But guess what? Out of all those thoughts, a whopping 80% of those are negative, and 95% are the same old reruns from the day before.

So, what’s an affirmation? It’s like hitting the ‘confirm’ button for your dreams. Your mind’s a sponge, soaking up whatever you feed it. Why not feed it dreams, ambitions, and heaps of positivity? Let’s rewrite the story we tell ourselves.

And why write them down? Our brain’s cognitive process is activated by putting our intentions on paper. Writing simply reinforces the commitment and helps clarify your intentions, making them more tangible and achievable. To me personally, if I write it down, it’s official…in progress…I mean business.

Every morning, I pick three power-packed affirmations. Sometimes, they are ones I’ve used before because I’m a work in progress, and Rome wasn’t built in a day. Oftentimes, they have to do with what I am facing that day and how I want to show up in the world. But here’s what I need you to know: this ritual has boosted my confidence and fired up my life. It has helped me connect with myself and others and aids in my great intention to possess a growth mindset. These statements of truth ground me, giving me a thought to return to in times of heartache and struggle. And it only takes a few minutes from my day.

The most important story we tell is the one we say all day to ourselves. Affirmations take our thoughts and make them into reality. They build us up personally and also help us encourage others.

So here’s my challenge to you this year: dive into the world of affirmations. Maybe start with just three you want to take into the year, write them down, and read them every morning! As you write your affirmations, ask yourself:

• Who am I becoming?
• What’s lighting up my heart?
• What truth am I seeking?
• What is my intention and how do I want to show up in the world?
• What’s the incredible spark about me that you want back?
• What do I wish I was told as a child that I still need to hear today?
• What do I know for sure that I struggle to believe about myself?        
• What is my Heart of Hearts telling me today?

Affirmations are personal. Oftentimes they start with “I am…” or “I will be…” but they can also be statements about your goals, desires, and future self.

Vulnerable share – 2023 has been a good year, yet there have been a lot of moments I battle feeling inadequate. I truly am my harshest critic. As I wrote this blog, I looked back at the affirmations I penned in 2023. I could literally write a blog about each, but you catch my drift. I feel so strongly about the power of affirmations, I’m sharing a few of mine that keep recurring:

• I am plenty.
• I radiate love.
• Boundaries are love and it is healthy and necessary to set them.
• I am creating the life I always dreamed of.
• I prioritize sleep and rest.
• There is enough time for me today to do what is needed.
• I am becoming the best version of Davonna.
•  Life is magical.

To take things a step further, consider the I AM app. It’ll sprinkle affirmations onto your phone screen at your chosen time or randomly throughout the day. You can personalize it by selecting categories tailored to your needs. And the backgrounds are pretty and serene.

In conclusion, allow me to “affirm you” – incredible things await you in 2024. I’d love to hear the affirmations you currently use or are planning for the upcoming year. Here’s to our 2024, brimming with affirmations and an abundance of sparkle. We’ve absolutely got this!