Do you ever feel defeated because of the negative thoughts that run through your mind?  Negative, critical self-talk that you allow to seep into your subconscious and make you feel unconfident and inadequate with nothing to offer?  

I feel you, mama.  Confidence is something I’ve always struggled with.  It’s something I STILL struggle with every day. Streams of worries and negatives thoughts run through my head more than ever now that I’m a mom.

Is Eden okay?  Am I doing this right?  I’m not ready to be a mom.  I have no idea what I’m doing.  I’m not good at this.

Without affirmation from others, I’m quick to put myself down and beat myself up.  I’m quick to let discouragement and doubt take over my motivation, to let my negative self-talk grow louder than my cheering section.

But then I realized, if my own thoughts are all it takes to put me down, then surely my own thoughts have the power to lift me up.  I can’t keep relying on other people to make me feel better when I have doubts or when I’m stressed. I am the BEST person and the ONLY person i need to keep myself happy, hopeful, and grateful in my life.  I can be my own source of inspiration.

And it goes the same for you, too.  

This is where positive self-talk comes in.  If you, mama, are ever feeling unconfident about your new role as a mom, know that not only are you capable, you are also the BEST person for the job.  You ARE ready to mother your child. You are the BEST person to care for your baby.

But in order to really believe these things, you have to THINK it every day.  Or even better, say them outloud to yourself. Write them on post it’s and slap them on your mirror.  Make an ongoing reminder on your iPhone so it pops up on your lock screen. Do whatever it takes to be reminded.  Get a tattoo if you really need it! Okay, maybe not but if that’s your thing, go for it!

But really, these daily reminders are important.  You deserve to affirm and love yourself every single day.

Here are some of my personal mantras that have helped me when I’m feeling down:

“I’m doing the best I can.”  For when I feel inadequate as a mom.

“I am enough.”  For when I feel like I’m not doing enough or not meeting expectations.  For when I’m comparing myself to others.

“Just happy.”  For when I’m feeling envious of others.  For when my circumstances got me feeling like life is unfair.  A reminder for me and my husband when things get tough in marriage.

“Just one more.”  For when I’m feeling tired.  For when I can’t see the finish line.  This was also the mantra my husband and I repeated over and over to help me get through my contractions during labor.  It also helped me in my early weeks postpartum when I had to breastfeed Eden every two hours.

“I am strong.  I am powerful. I am beautiful.”  For every day. And to remember the laughs that the movie “Girl’s Trip” brought into my life.  

What are some of the mantras that encourage you in your every day?