If you’re new to hypnobirthing you might be finding that your affirmations can feel a little bit fake and cringy especially if you you’re like most of us and find it hard to take a compliment from other people never mind ourselves. You might even have an experience similar to this funny take on affirmations below. I wanted to share a practice I’ve been experimenting with over the last few weeks and I’m finding it so helpful.

The following exercise is a combination of a self-compassion meditation infused with affirmations and if you can let yourself experience it I think you’ll find your daily affirmations can feel very different.

Find a time and some space where you can be undisturbed for just a couple of minutes before you start listening to your affirmations.

Start off by just noticing your breath while you get settled. Bring to mind someone you really care about. It can be your partner, a grandmother…it could be your dog - it just needs to be someone or something that always brings a smile to your face when you think about them. Allow that memory to become clearer. Notice that warm fuzzy oxytocin feeling rising in your chest and starting to flow… allow that feeling and that image of this person or pet to get bigger. Now notice how easy it is to send loving thoughts and real appreciation to them - how easy it is to wish them well and want the best for them. How it would feel to give them a big hug right now especially as the world is a little hug starved right now. Once you’ve got the oxytocin flowing it’s so much easier to switch over to sending similar appreciation to yourself.

Now focus your thoughts on something you’re good at, an accomplishment you’re proud of. It’s a rare occasion that we take a second - never mind a few minutes to rest on our laurels but give yourself permission to do that today - just for a couple of minutes. Let those feelings come up and notice where you feel them in your body. Bask in those feelings. Remember you’re doing all of this in the privacy of your own mind so don’t be shy and don’t downplay what you’re proud of - you’re the only one listening. Try out some of your favorite affirmations now and notice how different they feel - there’s an authenticity to them that probably wasn’t there before.

Sit with those feelings for a few moments and soak them in.

You deserve to feel your own self appreciation, love and affirmation.

Have you heard of ‘birth basking’? THIS is a practice you have to try in the weeks leading up to your due date.

Tracy