Because I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me…
If you are a person of a certain age, or a ’90s SNL fan, you’ll recognize the saying, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me,” from a classic skit starring Al Franken as Stewart Smalley, the host of a fictional daily affirmations show. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, do yourself a favor and click HERE to watch some clips on YouTube… it’s hilarious!
I remember thinking this was soooo hilarious as a kid—pep-talking yourself in the mirror when your mind is overrun with “stinkin’ thinkin’.” Like, how can this help? This is so funny. What a dork! No one ACTUALLY does this!!
Fast forward 30-some years and—hi, it’s me. Doing my daily positive affirmations. While I might not stare into a mirror saying it with a lispy Stewart Smalley voice, that image creeps into my head every time. I “Stewart Smalley” the crap out of myself at least once a day.
So… what exactly is the point of positive affirmations?
What Are Positive Affirmations and How Do They Work?
A positive affirmation is a phrase or quote you say to yourself—either silently or out loud—to combat challenging or negative thoughts. It’s essentially training your mind to flip the switch from negative to positive.
This can apply to all areas of life—personal growth, emotional healing, achieving goals, or just surviving the day. Some of my go-to affirmations are:
- “I am a peaceful person.”
- “I will lead an abundant life.”
These are deeply personal to me, but the key is choosing affirmations that resonate with your journey. With daily and consistent practice, these phrases become more than just words—they start laying the stones on your path to integrity.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the science? Read this article from Positive Psychology.
Rewiring Your Brain: Affirmations as Mental Fitness
Let me tell you—the deeper I get into this journey, the more I realize how little I understood about my own brain. There are so many different parts doing different things, it’s overwhelming!
But here’s how I think of it: when we go to the gym, we don’t see results overnight. But with consistency, our muscles grow, and we feel the difference—physically and mentally. The same goes for our brains.
Positive affirmations are like reps for your mindset. When practiced daily, your brain starts to believe what you tell it. Miss a day? You feel it—just like skipping a workout. Over time, you absorb the affirmations as truth, creating space for more positive thoughts, deeper self-trust, and a more abundant life.
The Cost of Negative Self-Talk (And Why I Had to Stop)
I was the queen of negative self-talk for years—decades, even. I brushed off my inner pain for so long, thinking I was tough enough to handle it. Turns out… I wasn’t.
I became numb. Depressed. So fucking lost.
Caught in the foggy haze of autopilot, those self-defeating thoughts became my reality:
- I’m not good enough.
- I’m not smart enough.
- No one likes me.
- I don’t even like me.
That place? SUCKED. It was a personal hell.
But the turning point came when I realized that the abundance I craved had to come from within. If I had spent years talking myself down—and believing it—maybe I could reverse it.
So began my journey toward positive affirmations and, more importantly, kindness toward myself.
The Best Mindfulness App That Helped Me Start
When I started, I had no clue what to say. So I did what we all do: downloaded an app.
I landed on Wild Minds by Molly Williams. I had already been listening to her podcast and loved her energy, her message, and her meditations—she felt like my tribe. Take a listen and see if this works for you!
Now, every morning—after getting ready and before diving into mom life—I spend four minutes with her guided affirmations. My brain thanks me for it.
Sure, it felt weird at first. But if we can give ourselves a pep talk before something scary, imagine what daily encouragement can do over time.
If you’re starting out, use a tool. Let it guide you. And then, as you grow, you’ll learn to recognize what you need to hear most.
From Stewart Smalley to Self-Love: My Full-Circle Moment
Stewart Smalley’s voice still plays in my head sometimes—and yeah, it still feels awkward. Let’s be honest, talking to yourself alone in a room is kinda weird.
But it’s working.
I had the most toxic inner voice for so long (you can read more about that HERE), it actually felt uncomfortable to speak kindly to myself. But now, with practice, it’s getting easier.
For the first time in a long time, I’m starting to truly believe:
I am good enough. I am smart enough. And doggone it, I like me.
What’s Your Go-To Positive Affirmation?
Do you have a phrase you say to yourself each day?
Drop it in the comments or message me—I’d love to hear it. Let’s raise the vibe and create a tribe. 💛
Leave a Reply