What if bravery wasn't about not feeling fear, but acting anyway? We all face moments that test us. Moments where our knees feel a little weak and our hearts pound a little faster. Whether it's speaking up making a big life change or just getting through a tough day courage is something we all need. And sometimes we just need a little nudge. A reminder of the strength we already have inside. That's where affirmations come in. They're like little pep talks we give ourselves powerful phrases that can reshape our mindset and fuel our inner warrior.
I know what it’s like to feel stuck and for courage to feel miles away. Stephen Montagne our founder here at GoodExistence.com has shared his own journey of needing immense courage. He faced down gaming addictions binge eating and a lifestyle that was dragging him down. Losing over 110 pounds and building a life of purpose didn’t happen overnight. It took daily courage. The courage to make one small healthy choice after another. Affirmations can be a powerful tool in building that kind of consistent bravery.
How Affirmations Build Your Courage Muscle
Think of your mind like a garden. If you constantly plant seeds of doubt and fear that’s what will grow. Affirmations are like planting seeds of courage strength and resilience. By repeating them regularly you start to water those positive seeds. This allows them to take root and eventually overshadow the weeds of negativity. It's about retraining your brain one positive thought at a time. It’s not magic. It’s practice.
Using affirmations is wonderfully simple. Try saying them aloud each morning to set a brave tone for your day. You could also write your favorite ones on sticky notes. Place these notes where you’ll see them often like your bathroom mirror or computer monitor. When facing a challenge repeat them silently to yourself for an instant boost. Some people even weave them into their prayer or meditation time. The real magic happens with consistency. Make them a familiar part of your routine and watch how they shift your perspective.
Your Courage Toolkit: 25 Affirmations
Ready to start planting those seeds of bravery? Here are 25 affirmations to get you started. Find a few that resonate with you or use them all.
- I am brave and strong.
- I face my fears with courage.
- I am capable of overcoming any challenge.
- I choose courage over comfort.
- My inner strength guides me.
- I act in spite of fear.
- I embrace new experiences with boldness.
- I have the power to make positive changes.
- I am resilient and bounce back from setbacks.
- I trust my ability to handle whatever comes my way.
- Courage flows through me.
- I stand tall in the face of adversity.
- I am worthy of a courageous life.
- I release fear and welcome courage.
- Every day I grow braver.
- I am in control of my actions and reactions.
- I speak my truth with confidence.
- I step outside my comfort zone with ease.
- I am a source of courage for myself and others.
- I possess the courage to pursue my dreams.
- I am stronger than my doubts.
- I handle difficult situations with grace and courage.
- I am filled with determination.
- My courage inspires me to take action.
- I am courageous.
Beyond Words: Putting Courage into Action
Affirmations are powerful starters. They prime your mind for bravery. But true courage is built when we pair those positive thoughts with action. Think of it like this. Affirmations are the fuel but you still need to turn the key and drive the car.
Stephen often talks about how building new habits like his productive routine of short bursts of deep work or his commitment to daily gratitude required courage. It was the courage to say no to old patterns and yes to a new way of living. His journey to losing over 110 pounds wasn't just about telling himself he could do it. He had to act. He had to choose the healthier food do the exercise and stick to his new routines even on days he didn’t feel like it. Each action no matter how small reinforced his belief in himself. It built more courage for the next step.
This is where celebrating small wins becomes so important. When you take a courageous step acknowledge it. Did you finally make that phone call you were dreading? Celebrate. Did you choose a healthy snack instead of an old comfort food? That’s a win. These little celebrations build momentum. They make the path of courage feel rewarding. Stephen found that this practice was crucial. Each small victory reinforced his courage to keep going. His journey wasn't about grand heroic acts every day. It was about the quiet courage to show up consistently even when it was hard.
Finding Your Anchor for Lasting Bravery
Sometimes affirmations and small actions still feel like they aren't enough especially when facing big life storms. This is where having an anchor comes in. An anchor gives you stability and a deeper well of strength.
For Stephen strengthening his Christian Orthodox faith played a huge role in finding courage and purpose. Faith can be an incredible anchor. It provides a deep well of strength when our own feels depleted. It’s about trusting in something greater than ourselves. This trust can give us the courage to face even the scariest giants in our lives. When everything felt out of control his faith became his foundation providing peace and resilience.
Your anchor might be your faith. It could also be your family your deep sense of purpose your connection to nature or your community. Whatever it is find what grounds you and draw strength from it. Knowing you have this support can profoundly boost your bravery and help you navigate challenges with more confidence.
Remember courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It’s about taking that next small step even when you’re unsure. These affirmations are tools to help you access the wellspring of courage that already exists within you. You are stronger than you think.
So here’s a little challenge. Pick one affirmation from the list that truly speaks to you today. Write it down. Say it. Let it sink in.
What’s one small brave step you can take today fueled by that affirmation?
