The Problems with Positive Affirmations Beállítások

[joselcollin]

Last year I used positive affirmations to avoid getting anxiety attacks again while studying for a very difficult exam and for boosting my self-worth when it came to my job. I really did feel good about myself and passed the exam even though it was a very stressful time for me.

However weeks ago I started experiencing depression and anxiety which I hadn’t experienced in a couple years. Before this happened I had stopped saying my previous affirmations and started to constantly tell myself I was at peace and calm even though I was stressed out. It really came to a point where they didn’t seem to be doing much. Eventually I just stopped saying the affirmations.

Now that I’m learning more about TMS I realize that I’ve just been repressing my emotions by saying those affirmations when I never fully believed them. I’ve basically been programming myself that feeling bad about myself is bad and that I can only allow good thoughts to enter my consciousness.

What puzzles me is that the positive affirmation advice was given to me by a Life Coach who’s been doing this for years. She must have success using these techniques otherwise she wouldn’t still be in business. This just seems like something that eventually leads to worsening symptoms of TMS.

Your thoughts please.

[ftrsquish]

G.R….I so enjoy you. Thank you for your powerful post. I am going to be more intentional today in practicing affirmations. Yesterday, I did a mindless thing. It was a minor - like accidentally putting too much baking soda in a recipe. Sure, I scooped out the excess…and proceeded to chide myself. All day long I was battling the accuser. I need to be on the offense today.

To answer your query about journaling. I only do it on days I feel I need to work through something or release some frustration. (Like the mother-in-law encounters this week.) With our new puppy (puppy love!) and a house on the market, my times to journal are sometimes limited.

Herbie, beautiful words of wisdom. Thank you for all you do here. I'm eager to get back into your book.

Aurora, thanks for starting such a great thread.

Love to you all,