"I am strong. I am powerful. I am beautiful." This is the mantra spoken in moments of doubt by Ryan Pierce, the brilliant and conflicted character played by Regina Hall in Girls Trip - the cinematic masterpiece of 2017 which I am proud to say I have seen 3 times. No. Shame.
Ryan's character seemed to have it all but we soon find out that like many women, she is struggling to keep it together while secretly battling an internal struggle - be perfect or be real. Thankfully, she has a badass band of hilarious and strong women to help her see the light - life is hard, no one is perfect and you don't have to go it alone. Ugh, Girls Trip is just the BEST MOVIE EVER. If you haven't seen it, get. your. life. honey.
Affirmations are positive, specific statements that help you to overcome self-sabotaging, negative thoughts. They help you visualize, and believe in, what you're affirming to yourself, helping you to make positive changes to your life and career. The idea of affirmations has always been intriguing to me, however, let's be real, I don't actually tell myself I'm great everyday - but I do believe I should. While cliché, the concept that you must be your biggest fan is 100% true. I have my daily routine which brings me joy but maybe it's time to wake up every morning and affirm my greatness. Because I am great and so are you. Yea, that's mad corny but you know what? Positivity is MAGIC and it does work so no shame in this game. Shine on like the Queen (or King) you are.
As part of our community inclusion here at WORD, we talked to a few women about their daily affirmations and while not everyone believes in this type of visualization, it's safe to say that women with purpose are also women with a purposeful practice.
Jessica Flores - Director of LATAM for Musically, Los Angeles
“I am enough
I am capable
I am beautiful
I am worthy
I deserve the best
I do not settle
I am kind
I care ”
Gabi Richmond Laub - Momma + Experiential Marketer at Shopify, Los Angeles
“I don’t really have an affirmation, more just about working out and working so soon after giving birth.
I tell myself my body is strong and I’m working my ass off to show my baby boy what hard work means. I’m doing it all for him.
Kinda cheesy but it works!!”
Vanessa James - Founder of VJMedia. Radio Vet, VO Actor, Curator of Travel & Lifestyle content, Miami
“Brush off the fear V.. Why not you, why not now.. Just go for it.”
” Nothing is by chance”... Embrace and appreciate your blessings and your lessons. ”
Lily Stone - Founder of Red Dot Culture, Philadelphia
“I have this Amy Poehler quote taped up in my bathroom:
’Great people do things before they’re ready.’
Really helps to see it every morning before I start my day!”
Photo Courtesy of Lily Stone
Sadye Campoamor - Mother & Director of Community Affairs at the NYC Department of Education
“I am abundant. I am compassionate. I am kind.
I welcome: mental, physical, spiritual, romantic, and financial success for myself and the ones I love.
I am thankful. I am strong. I am loving.
I will continue to live generously and believe that the universe will be generous with me.”
Katherine Castro - Actress, Los Angeles
“There are three things that always stand out to me. Three quotes:
’If You can dream it you can Do it’
’Where there’s a will there’s a way’
’Leap, and the net will appear’
These are my constant daily reminders”
Ana Flores - Momma + Founder of We All Grow Latina, Los Angeles
“I’m not big on affirmations! I wake up and meditate every morning and then listen to my astrologer’s audios for the day and then take it from there. There’s no one phrase I repeat to myself every day BUT...I do have this I wrote a few weeks ago and put it on a stickie to look at daily:
”Embrace uncertainty with huge certainty”
Photo via Ana's Instagram