Daily Self-Love Mantras & Positive Affirmations for Inner Peace
Who do you spend the most time with? Your spouse or best friend? Your children or your co-workers? Technically neither. You spend the most time with yourself, which is why the tone and content of your internal dialogue are incredibly important to how you feel about yourself.
For instance, if you do poorly on an exam or a performance review, there are different ways you can talk to yourself about the situation. One reaction would be to say to yourself, “I am such an idiot. I am not smart enough to succeed.” Another way to respond is to say to yourself, “I am smart. I will figure out how to overcome this setback and do better next time.”
The first example illustrates negative self-talk, which has been proven to negatively impact the outcome of tasks that hold significance in your life and your overall emotional well-being. Conversely, the person in the second example is more likely to do better next time because they didn’t let it define how they view their true self or give into self-doubt. They were able to separate the obstacle from their own self-worth.
Another time this is prevalent is after a break-up or falling out with a friend. After being rejected by a loved one, it can be all too easy to forget that just because one person doesn’t love you anymore, it doesn’t lessen your self-worth. In both of these instances, self-love mantras can be used to replace negative thoughts and rebuild your self-confidence.
What is a Mantra?
Mantras are a part of the Hindu and Buddhist religions. According to Merriam-Webster, a mantra is “a word or phrase that is repeated often, or that expresses someone’s basic beliefs.” It originally comes from two Sanskrit words: “man,” meaning mind; and “tra,” meaning vehicle or instrument – a tool to transport the mind from a state of activity to one of stillness and silence. Mantras are often associated with praying or meditating, so they’re best suited for positive self-talk. They can improve your mental health and change your life in profound ways.
10 Powerful Mantras for Self-Love
Show yourself some self-compassion with the following mantras and affirmations.
1. I love myself.
I am a beautiful, unique spirit. There is no one else quite like me.
2. I am worthy of love.
As a creature on this earth, I am worthy of being loved and cherished by others. My worth is untarnished by my imperfections or the way others see me.
3. I am worthy of good things.
It is ok to want the best for myself and to pursue the things that bring me joy and happiness.
4. I can choose positive thoughts.
I understand the power of my self-talk and choose to select thoughts that are uplifting and positive.
5. I let my happiness be visible to others.
My happiness overflows from me. I can use my happiness to bring joy to others.
6. I am strong.
I have many strengths that I use to navigate the ups and downs of my life. I am tougher and braver than I look.
7. I am beautiful.
I am embracing my journey to self-acceptance and beauty. Every day, I am committed to nurturing and growing into the person I aspire to be.
8. My life is moving forward perfectly.
Each bump in the road is there for a reason. Everything is happening according to a greater plan.
9. I am confident in my decisions.
I am the creator of my own destiny. I stand behind the things I do and say.
10. I surround myself with loving people.
I can choose the people I allow in my life. I choose to surround myself with people who love and lift me up.
Over the next few weeks, choose one self-loving mantra and aim to incorporate it into your daily routine. Focus on one mantra each week, ideally practicing it when you wake up each day. Of course, if you don’t feel like one is providing you any benefits, feel free to switch up your daily affirmations or mantras. You will find that some of them are more fitting to your needs and personality, as your internal dialogue is unique to you. If you find something that works for you, it should only be a matter of days before you start feeling more confident and loved.
Mantras and Meditation
When meditating, a mantra is a powerful tool to deter one’s mind’s natural tendency to wander off. Mantras are also useful when practicing yoga. Picking a mantra at the beginning of class can help you keep your focus on your set intention for that particular class.
If you are new to meditating, you should find the type of meditation that is best for you, as there are all sorts of meditations based on your likes and dislikes. For instance, many people don’t realize that there is a type of meditation called movement meditation, which is good for beginner yogis who struggle to sit still.
Finding Your Perfect Self-Loving Mantras
A mantra can go beyond a phrase to keep you focused on positive energy and give you spiritual strength; a mantra has the power to affect your actions. For instance, when Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” he didn’t just say it; he lived it. What is the mantra you want to live? Is it a positive, self-loving mantra?
One easy way to get started is by incorporating some Loving Kindness Meditation into your daily routine with this mantra meditation video, which takes you step-by-step through the process of adding a mantra to your meditation. All you need is 20 minutes to get started.
Self-care mantras can originate from various unexpected sources. For example, a popular mantra frequently cited during times of instability comes from a Dr. Seuss book often referenced in high school graduation speeches. The excerpt reads, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” In times of uncertainty, these wise childhood words can guide internal reflections.
This is all to say that your perfect mantras can come from anywhere. Perhaps for you, it will be something a loved one once told you or a poignant song lyric. You just have to be on the lookout for a word or phrase that makes you feel whole and loved, that brings you joy and encouragement.
We all have a friend or family member who lets their self-criticism overpower their positivity and self-loving thoughts. It is so painful to watch them beat themselves up, but we all do it from time to time. If ever you feel yourself being anything less than kind to yourself, try one of these self-loving mantras to regain confidence and move forward positively. You can focus on the first phrase, memorize the entire thought, or modify one of the positive mantras provided.
About the Author
Hanuman: Myth, Mantra and Asana
Hanuman was born on the wind and a prayer. His father was Kesari, a sort of meditating gladiator monkey-like humanoid, called in Sanskrit, a “vanara”. His mother, Anjana, held the essence of her name: “anj” in Sanskrit means reverence.
Anjana and Kesari really wanted a kid and prayed to Lord Shiva for the blessing of conceiving a son. Shiva, pleased by their devotion and prayers, sent Vayu, the god of wind, to carry Shiva’s essence to fulfill their wishes, perhaps something like a sacred stork.
Turns out that Vayu delivered a pretty gifted kid. Like his gladiator father and like many of our modern-day mixed martial art competitors, Hanuman had a plethora of skills and talents. He wrestled demons, transformed himself to fit the needs of the particular circumstances against which he was fighting, and did so all with unwavering devotion.
Hanuman was devoted to Lord Rama, the god of righteousness and virtue.
Through his devotion, he was characterized as a lifelong Brahmachari (celibate). The belief that Hanuman’s celibacy is the source of his strength became popular among the wrestlers in India.
Hanuman: Behind the Name
Sanskrit texts mention several stories about how Hanuman got his name. Hanuman had a lifelong obsession with the sun, and as a youngster, blazed towards it, mistaking the sun for a mango and mischievously chomping a bite out of it. This really pissed off Indra, the king of the gods, who struck Hanuman’s jaw with lightening, to scold his impetuous nature. A bit harsh, right? Regardless, Hanuman is said to have received his name from the Sanskrit words “hanu” meaning jaw, and “man” meaning prominent or disfigured.
Another lore credits the name as a derivative of the Sanskrit words “han” meaning killed or destroyed, and “mana” meaning pride; indicating that Hanuman is the one whose pride was destroyed.
As Saul David Raye shares in Earth Heart Hanuman, “humility comes when the jaw is broken.” Whether you’re an elite mixed martial artist, or simply a modern-day yogi maneuvering through daily challenges, we discover that when our hearts are full of devotion, our spirit is unbreakable. Saul David Raye says that the stories of Hanuman can teach us, “the balance of incredible opening while still staying balanced.”
It’s Hanuman we can thank for the devotion it takes to practice Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskars, which are a series of poses linked by the breath. Sun Salutations invite us to bow to and unite with the sun, as a pathway to the divine.
