Lenten Spiritual Discipline of Self-Affirmation

You may have heard of Lent, and how people may give up something for the season (e.g., soda, tea, alcohol, sweets, meats, etc.). It can seem like it’s a test to see if you can let go of some vice, only to pick it back up at Easter. In some social circles, it can feel like a fad and not a discipline to enrich and improve your spiritual life.

So what could that look like?

I have found that spiritual disciplines should have value; not just for a season, but something I can take with me going forward. I look at myself and what might I struggle with, and develop a discipline. As an enneagram type 2, I need to feel wanted and desired (not that other types don’t) and affirmed. Part of that includes self-affirmation. After meditating on this question, that was what I chose to do.

Last night, I sat down with a stack of Post-it notes and wrote out affirmations for myself:

• I am beautiful

• I am intelligent

• I am enough

• I am worthy

• I am sexy

• I am loved

These are just a few in the litany of affirmations I wrote. I then stuck these notes in locations throughout my place where I would see them often (e.g., bathroom mirror, kitchen above the stove, my front door, etc.). When I see them I have to say them out loud so I can hear them. It may seem silly, but there is something about doing it enough and starting to believe these affirmations. These are truths about myself that I need to hear and say out loud. Maybe, just maybe, if I say them enough, I will not feel guilty to believe I am good enough, or beautiful, or loved, or worthy.

These affirmations are not anything I have to earn. I don’t have to work hard, or over-function to be beautiful, or good enough. I already am good enough, attractive, intelligent, desirable, and worthy of being loved. I just need to remind myself of this truth and do it regularly.

So as Lent begins, I move into it reminding myself that I am wonderfully made, I am good enough, I am beautiful, and I am worthy.

I am who I am, and that is a badass and beautiful masterpiece.