In May, I began doing what I’ve been calling my Ten at Ten. Basically, ten affirmations at ten AM every day.

I know that for some people, daily affirmations are a cop-out. They say the words, but never honestly follow up on doing the things.

One of my issues is that I don’t tend to give myself credit for the things that I actually do. And I do a lot of things. For me, the daily affirmations are partially for me to recognize the things I do.

I figured I’d share my list of affirmations and some thoughts on some of them.

1. “I am responsible for my life.” Yup. I am. I continue to live a life of choice, and I am responsible for those choices.

2. “Today I will control what I can and release what I can’t.” For me, this is a very good reminder. There are lots of things outside of my control. So while I am responsible for my own life, I am just a passenger sharing the journey on other people’s lives. I always do a physical action with this one, closing my hands then opening them as I say this line, as yet another way to drive home the point that I can’t control everything and trying is only going to make me crazier.

3. “I am capable of learning anything I need to.” Boy, has this been helpful, particularly with all the new software and Shopify stuff! It helps me reframe things as a challenge and not an overwhelming threat.

4. “I can do difficult things.” I regularly actually do do difficult things. And I need to give myself credit for that.

5. “I’m grateful for…” (and why) While I don’t believe that having just a practice of gratitude is enough, I still think it’s important. I list off things that I’m grateful for three times a day: once when I first wake up, doing the ten at ten, then before I go to bed. Usually it’s different things, but sometimes there are repeats. (Like this morning I’m so grateful that the heat has broken and we had a cool night last night!)

6. “I will stay consistent even when it’s hard.” I generally point at my writing computer when I say that. The writing hasn’t been as easy lately. But I’m still plugging away at it, every day.

7. “I am responsible for my emotions, thoughts, and actions.” This is more granular than the first statement, and lets me hone in on staying true to myself and not overreaching.

8. “My future is shaped by what I do today.” Boy, howdy! This statement is very much an acknowledgement that I’m doing the right thing, every day. I’m writing. I’m working on the business. I’m publishing. What I do is important, and I need to value it. Even when it isn’t hard or difficult.

9. “I choose to focus on solutions and not problems.” Yup. Again, this is part of the letting go of things I can’t control. Can’t necessarily stop the problem. Can adjust how I’m reacting to it, and arrive at a fix, not just ruminating on what’s wrong.

10. “I am working to better myself every day.” Honestly? The first version of this was, “I’m becoming the best version of myself every day.” And I ALWAYS stumbled over that.

I was in the best physical condition of my life when I was 57. Will I ever reach that peak again? Over take it? I don’t know. I’m not as hale and healthy as I once was. (Though to be honest, I’ve had health issues my entire life.) I’m smarter and wiser, sure. But I have to also acknowledge that I’m aging.

So I’ve changed it to be more accurate for me, more reflective of where I actually feel I am and what I’m doing. Plus, again, these affirmations are as much acknowledgement that I’m doing the right thing, to give myself credit for the work I’m doing. 

So what about you? Do you have regular affirmations that you say? Does this sort of thing work for you? Or not?