A look at the difference between affirmations and validations

Times are difficult, especially now. With internal and external hardships alike that cause us to react in negative ways, it is even more vital now to be less emotionally responsive in negative ways and more positive to ourselves and others. Two ways of doing this are to self-affirm and self-validate, or to give both to others as a way of lifting their spirits as well as your own. Though many may not know this – using the two words interchangeably – there is a difference between affirmations and validations.

With validations we render a statement true. Those things that we validate are, in our hearts and minds, true, sufficient, and factual. Affirmations, on the other hand, are statements that are said in order to create the truth in your heart and mind gradually. Whether you believe it or not – whether it is currently true or not – affirmations can be stated out loud or on paper to really get you going towards making the statement itself true.

We tend to validate when we are encouraging others to remember something great about themselves, while we affirm more to manifest such truths in our lives. When we affirm, we acknowledge the good and the strong in ourselves and others.

Using Affirmations to Discover the Joys in Your Life

Affirmations will, when practiced as a ritualized routine, improve self-esteem, help reach a goal, break habits, find love (in many different forms), and of course activate joy. With our subconscious, positive affirmations work to help us gain lasting changes for the better. Joy as an emotion may be experienced many times in our lives, but sadly, we either don’t celebrate even those small moments of joy, or we don’t even recognize its presence. By practicing affirmations, we will rediscover peace, health, and happiness, and activate our joy.

I bring positivity and joy to me and I express the joy that comes my way.

Examples of Positive Affirmations and How They Can Improve Your Life

So, of course, I would like for use to practice this together now. Here are a few affirmations, I want you to say out loud in front of a mirror, and then write in your journal for the next 21 days (to form it into a habitual thought, of course!).

• “I’m worth it” – you deserve to be happy. Know this, own it, and write it down. Whether you believe it enough now or not, it will improve as you say this truth to yourself every day. This affirmation will combat feelings of dejection or worthlessness. It will help you realize you are MORE than worthy of the joy you can activate from within.
• “I see the beauty in my surroundings and I radiate love and joy.” This positive affirmation will help you to look up and around more, realizing the beauty that really is in your life. Joy will come in time simply from the beauty that comes in your mind, and then radiates outward in time. You can enjoy everything this world has to offer; all you have to do is give yourself permission to celebrate!
• “I take time regularly to do the things that I love to do; I follow my heart and I am happy.” This positive affirmation is a way to celebrate you and the heart within that makes you happy and activates your joy. With this affirmation, you are seeking to make a choice, to take time to love and nurture yourself. You are choosing you so that when others are in need, you can help them without draining from your own pot. Joy follows when you realize that making this decision and choosing you is most important of all.

These are just a few of so many countless affirmations you can say to yourself. I would love to hear how things are going after simply practicing affirming yourself for a few days! In time, you can create your own affirmations and speak them into your life with ease and gratitude.

So much love and joy wished to you all today and always.

Blessings, KrisE