Affirmations are powerful positive statements. You may be aware of them as a tool for self-improvement or to help you reach your goals. Did you know affirmations can help improve relationships with your spouse, family, friends, and colleagues?
By choosing your words carefully and meaningfully, you can improve relationships in every area of your life.
Show Empathy
You can use affirmations to show the other person that you see them as they experience their feelings and acknowledge them. Affirmations can be used as a component of active listening. Listen to what they are saying without interrupting, and when you do speak, reflect back what they said to you. You acknowledge where they are and give them space to vent or celebrate or just get their message across.
The key to showing empathy is ensuring you don’t contradict or negate their feelings. Don’t offer advice or give a contrary opinion. Just stand with them in their space.
Be Authentic
Make sure your affirmations are coming from a place of sincerity. Don’t say things you don’t mean. Keep your affirming messages to the point and focus on the other person.
Affirmations that are economical with the truth or speak out of character will undermine your relationship, not build it. Make sure you speak from the heart. And you don’t have to use flowery language; just be nice.
Tell Your Loved Ones They Are Loved
Saying I love you early in a relationship is easy. As time passes, it’s far too easy to let endearments slide. Get into the habit of telling your partner, your children, your family, and your friends how much you love them. Don’t take it for granted that they feel loved. Make sure they know it!
Say Thank You Often
When was the last time you said thank you for a home-cooked meal? Or for proofreading your job application? Or even for taking the garbage out?
No act of kindness should go unacknowledged. Show your family and friends, and colleagues that you appreciate what they do for you. Affirm their important role in your life.
Give Public Praise
Sometimes the best affirmations come in the form of public acknowledgment. Give credit where it’s due to your team members, partner, and kids. Show them you’re grateful and proud of them. Make it a point to acknowledge the extra effort and exceptional achievements.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Living Forward
Featured Image by Hanny Naibaho on Unsplash
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