What are affirmations for self-love?
Affirmations for self-love are positive things you say to yourself to quiet your inner critic. You can say these affirmations out loud, put them in your phone, or hang them on your mirror—whatever feels good to you! Personally, I mostly say them silently in my mind whenever my inner critic has something unpleasant to say. I also have them saved in a Word document and in an email to myself. That way, I always have those positive words on hand whenever I fall into negative thinking.
It might sound a bit simplistic, as if one positive statement could erase all your self-criticism. That’s not the case. The power lies in repetition, and in continuing to say those words to yourself even if you don’t fully believe them yet. The more often you replace your self-criticism with positive words, the more you’ll start to believe them. Or at least, you’ll begin to question your critical thoughts. You get to decide whether you let those negative voices affect you or not.
Try These 10 Positive Affirmations for Self-Love
Thinking of yourself as a likable (or at least good enough) person is the foundation for so many things. It gives you the confidence to face challenges. It helps you handle criticism better (because if you believe in yourself, one negative comment won’t throw you off course). Plus, when you’re less critical of yourself, you’re more likely to grant yourself things like rest, say “no” when needed, and set healthy boundaries.
Sounds pretty great, right? That’s why I believe self-love affirmations are definitely worth trying. Here are 10 positive affirmations for self-love that I personally use:
1. “I am good enough, even if I’m not perfect.”
You don’t need to hit milestones, achieve goals, or accomplish major things to be good enough. You’re good enough even when you mess up sometimes, or when you’re not chasing any goals at all. Everyone is human. Everyone occasionally makes mistakes in order to learn what works better. Realize that you don’t have to meet your own sky-high standards to deserve your place here. You are you—your talents, your flaws, and your areas for growth included—and that’s perfectly okay.
You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect. (Spoiler: It never will be! Life is an ongoing process of learning and adjusting.)
2. “I deserve it.”
Do you recognize the thought, “I can only have X once I achieve Y”? I certainly do, especially the thought, “I can only rest once I’ve finished Y.” But honestly, that’s nonsense. Everyone deserves rest—whenever they feel the need for it.
The same goes for eating when you’re hungry, taking time for yourself when you’re drained, or simply enjoying life.
If you only allow yourself something (like rest, a treat, or even pride) after meeting a specific condition, challenge that thinking: “I deserve it. Even now.”
If that’s hard to believe, imagine a friend saying, “I don’t allow myself X until I achieve Y.” What would you tell them? Likely you’d say they deserve it already—and the same goes for you.
3. “I can handle more than I think.”
Sometimes a mountain seems way too high to climb. In those moments, I tell myself this affirmation.
Looking back, you’ve likely faced many moments where you thought, “Can I really do this?”—and you made it through.
You’ve faced challenges, overcome obstacles, and pushed through fears. You’re stronger than you sometimes realize.
If you need proof, reflect on past moments where you surprised yourself with your resilience.
4. “I’m working at my own pace, and that’s enough.”
You don’t need to have “arrived” to be proud of yourself. You don’t even need to be halfway there. Sometimes it feels like you’re stuck, but in reality, you’re moving forward more than you realize.
Never compare your progress to someone else’s.
Everyone has their own timeline, shaped by different life events and challenges. Being okay with where you are—even if it’s not where you want to be yet—is crucial. You’re making progress. That’s enough.
5. “I’m proud of where I am.”
We should give ourselves more pats on the back.
Compliments from others are great, but they’re rare for most people. That’s why it’s important to feel pride internally.
No matter what others say (or don’t say), you can be proud of your journey and how far you’ve come.
Even if you aren’t where you want to be yet, you’ve certainly taken important steps. That’s something to celebrate!
6. “I trust myself.”
Certainty is an illusion. Life will throw unexpected obstacles your way.
That’s why I find it comforting to focus on what I do know: I bring myself into every situation.
Trusting yourself is powerful. It helps you make decisions from a place of confidence rather than fear.
You may not know everything, but you do know things like:
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I know I have experience with X.
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I know I’m good at Y.
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I know I’m thoughtful in making decisions.
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I know I listen to my gut.
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I know I’m resilient.
Remind yourself of these truths often!
7. “Bring it on, I got this!”
I use this affirmation when nerves are running high—like before a presentation.
Even if you have shaky hands and pounding heart, you bring talent, value, and resilience to the table.
Tell yourself, “I got this.”
You’ll probably surprise yourself by doing better than you expected.
8. “I am valuable.”
The thought “Who would want me?” is a toxic lie.
You are valuable. People need what you offer—whether that’s your skills, your friendship, your perspective, or simply your presence.
Even if there are thousands of others doing similar things, your unique way of doing it makes you special.
You are not replaceable. You are needed, exactly as you are.
9. “I am allowed to make choices that are good for me.”
You’re the only one who truly knows what’s best for you.
Sometimes, saying “no” will disappoint others. That’s okay.
Protecting your own well-being isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
If you’re prone to people-pleasing, repeat this affirmation often: “I can choose what’s right for me.”
Even if it makes someone pout, you are still allowed to prioritize your health and happiness.
10. “I accept myself, including my imperfections.”
Nobody loves every aspect of themselves—and that’s fine.
You can still find yourself lovable even with flaws.
Think about your friends: You probably adore their quirks and imperfections, right?
You are lovable exactly as you are, not despite your imperfections, but partly because of them.
Focus on the bigger picture of who you are rather than zooming in on small flaws.
Life gets a lot easier when you see yourself as a good, worthy person at your core.
How to Use Affirmations
These are just a few examples of affirmations I use.
Affirmations work best when you choose ones that resonate personally with you.
If you often think, “I’m not good enough,” then “I am good enough” is the perfect one to practice.
Or you can create your own affirmation tailored to your needs.
Some tips:
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Make sure the affirmation feels empowering to you.
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Start with “I” or “My”—this keeps it personal and powerful.
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Use them whenever you catch yourself having negative thoughts or when facing a challenge.
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Say them daily, write them on your mirror, set them as phone reminders, or keep them by your bed.
Repetition is key to making them sink in and reshape your self-belief over time.
Would you also like me to make a beautiful printable version of these affirmations if you want to use them daily? 🌟
