Affirmations Aren’t Magic (But They’re Not Lies)

There’s a moment — and you’ve probably lived it — where you write something bold like, “I’m strong, thriving, and hitting my goals,” and then immediately find yourself eating snacks in your car avoiding your inbox. And you think… am I doing this wrong or is this affirmation thing a scam? The truth: it’s not magic… but it’s also not nothing. When you write down a goal, you activate your brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) — aka your internal “this matters now” filter — and suddenly you start noticing opportunities, ideas, and next steps that were always there, you just ignored.

But here’s where we lovingly call ourselves out: writing it down is not the same as doing the thing. It’s the starting line, not the transformation. The shift happens when you pair that intention with small, doable action — the kind that feels almost too easy to count (but absolutely does). Think 10-minute workouts, one aligned business move, one message you’ve been overthinking. We’re not chasing perfection anymore — we’re stacking tiny wins that build real momentum. See James Cleary’s Atomic Habits!

Now let’s talk accountability — not the shamey, “I failed again” kind, but the supportive, “I said I would, so here we go” kind. Share your goals with someone you can trust with them. Write them where you’ll see them during your times on autopilot. Track your follow-through, not your perfection. Because every time you show up — even messy — you’re building trust with yourself. And that identity shift is where confidence actually comes from.

So no, affirmations aren’t casting spells and waving your wizard wands… but they are setting direction. They help you notice more, choose better, and act differently — which over time looks a lot like “it just worked out.”

I have a birthday coming up in 5 months – I have one fitness goal and one business goal, and I am ALL in on this. So with that milestone birthday approaching, the question isn’t “What are the odds?” — it’s “What happens if I actually back myself for the next 5 months?” Because that version of me isn’t waiting for magic… she’s creating it, one step at a time.

- Kim