But for anyone who struggles with positive thinking, getting into an affirmation practice can feel challenging. As mental health expert Mollie Aklepi, LMSW, explains to mbg, “Some people shy away from affirmation statements because they do not have much evidence to believe that the affirmation is true. Statements like, ‘I am great’ or ‘I believe in my ability to…’ do not tap into understanding your feelings—and may even sound silly when you don’t believe them.” According to Aklepi, framing affirmations as questions helps you explore your thoughts and emotions around mental barriers. “Open-ended questions such as, ‘Why am I great?’ or ‘What would my life look like with less anxiety?’ would allow for creativity and exploration,” she notes, “leading to some insight into which thoughts or actions are serving you, and which could be creating barriers.”
