When you reach midlife, it’s normal to take inventory of the first half of your journey on earth and evaluate how you’ll live out the second half. While this is commonly referred to as having a midlife “crisis,” it doesn’t need to be labeled as a time of difficulty. Instead, you can reframe this so-called crisis as an awakening — an opportunity to dig deep into your understanding of where you’ve been and where you ideally wish to go in this life.
Affirmations can be a helpful tool as you move through this transformative time. Here’s why you might consider adding an affirmation practice into your daily life, as well as some phrases you can use to get started.
Why Affirmations Are Powerful During a Midlife Awakening
According to manifestation expert Angela Marie Christian, a midlife awakening is an invitation to transform on many different levels. “When you find yourself in a midlife awakening, it’s sure to bring about a variety of feelings: worry, fear, dread, panic,” she tells DailyOM. “But these emotions are distractions from the present moment, which is all that we truly have.”
While “midlife” typically refers to a time between the age of 45 and 55, your own midlife awakening can happen sooner or later depending on your life circumstances. If you married at 21, for instance, you might go through this transitional time in your early forties, or if you had your first child at 47, you may go through it later, or even have a different experience of a midlife awakening altogether.
“Midlife is not the time to disenchant ourselves. It’s a time to turn on all our magic in full force.” — Marianne Williamson
Affirmations are a key part of staying rooted in the present, as saying positive phrases to yourself (and about yourself) not only promotes self-confidence, but also grounds you in your body and intuition. Staying self-assured allows you to get the most out of this time in your life and helps you make decisions for your next chapter from a place of authenticity, rather than anxiety.
Christian encourages people to see this time as an opportunity, not a time to wallow in regret. “I love this quote from Marianne Williamson,” she says. “‘Midlife is not the time to disenchant ourselves. It’s a time to turn on all our magic in full force.’”
You can use affirmations to harness this magic and propel yourself forward into your next chapter. “We create our external world from the inside out, not the other way around,” Christian explains. “If you’re wanting to see improvements in your life, your inner frequency needs to align with your desires.” Therefore, speaking positive and encouraging words to yourself will allow you to release past expectations and disappointments so you can live the rest of your life on your own terms — and thrive while doing so.
Interested in learning more? Check out The ROAR Manifesto for Midlife Awakening
10 Best Midlife Awakening Affirmations
1. I am exactly where I need to be to live my best life. I accept everything in my past, I appreciate my present, and I look forward to my future. Every day, in every way, my life gets better and better.
When to say it: In the morning
Why it’s helpful: Christian suggests saying these affirming words in the morning when your brain is still in a relaxed state. “What’s stored in our subconscious mind is what we manifest, therefore, during this sleepy state, you can begin changing and upgrading the internal beliefs about yourself,” she explains. “The morning is an ideal time to bring in emotionally appealing visualizations and affirmations into the subconscious.”
2. I am supported in life. What I desire desires me. I am open to receiving abundance, health, and happiness.
When to say it: In the evening
Why it’s helpful: Close out the day with this mantra, when your mind is once again in a receptive state. “This is a crucial time to practice positive affirmations and plant the seeds of change into the subconscious mind,” Christian says. “If said — either aloud or in your head — with believability and repeated each night, you’ll soon convince your subconscious mind that it’s factual.”
3. I invite peace into my mind, body, and soul.
When to say it: In a time of crisis
Why it’s helpful: Having a mantra for challenging moments is important for managing day-to-day feelings and working yourself out of a negative spiral, Christian says. Use this phrase to center yourself whenever you’re having a hard time.
4. I am safe to feel the depth of my emotions, for my emotions are guiding me through my ultimate transformation.
When to say it: When you’re experiencing strong feelings
Why it’s helpful: Intuitive health and life coach Sara Garofalo suggests this affirmation, noting that people need to feel safe during any type of transition, but particularly in midlife. “It’s important to feel your emotions and to not avoid, resist, or fight the intensity of your feelings, which may prolong the course of your crisis,” she tells DailyOM.
5. I allow myself to listen to my intuition and to let go of what no longer serves me.
When to say it: When you’re in a time of change
Why it’s helpful: A midlife awakening is a time when people need to allow for reinventing and letting go of the old versions of themselves, Garofolo says. Remembering that change is okay and, in fact, a good thing can help steer you closer to your most authentic self.
6. My best years are yet to come.
When to say it: When you feel doubtful about the future — or feel regret about the past
Why it’s helpful: According to holistic transformation coach, mindful meditation facilitator, and sound healer Stephanie Weber, people experiencing a midlife awakening may feel like their best years are in the past. “This affirmation helps to reaffirm that there is so much left to experience,” she tells DailyOM. “When you say these words, it trains your brain to focus on the positive of the future, rather than your past regrets.”
7. Every day I’m getting closer to my authentic self. I deeply respect and love myself. I am so proud of the person I’m becoming.
When to say it: When you need a self-esteem boost
Why it’s helpful: Weber offers this affirmation to help you to shift your perception of yourself and harness self-love, especially if you have been susceptible to other people’s opinions of you or spent a lot of time in life thus far trying to please others. “Midlife is a powerful time to reconnect with your purpose, your values and what brings you the most joy,” she says. “Your relationship with yourself is the most important relationship you will ever have, and this is a great reminder that this relationship is only growing stronger and getting better with time.”
8. My life is a miracle. I am a miracle.
When to say it: When you need to shift your perspective
Why it’s helpful: We often forget what a miracle life is, Weber says, so bringing that idea to the forefront of your mind can help you get through a tough moment or a time of uncertainty. “There is a 1 in 400 trillion chance that any of us are even alive on this earth right now,” she says. “This affirmation reminds us that life is so precious and that we each have a purpose. We sometimes get so caught up in the everyday of our lives that we forget to see the big picture of how incredible it is just to be alive.”
9. I am the creator of my life. The actions I choose will lead me to my desired life.
When to say it: When you need to make a decision
Why it’s helpful: Licensed physical therapist and wellness coach Kelly Kessler, DPT, suggests this affirmation to empower you to create the life you want. “As much as thinking about what you want out of life is important, nothing will change until you take action,” she tells DailyOM. “No one will do it for you.” These words encourage you to understand the power you have to create a new reality for yourself and can prompt your brain to strategize how to make it happen.
10. I only need to be 1 percent better than yesterday to create the life I want.
When to say it: When you feel like you’re not making progress toward your goals
Why it’s helpful: Midlife awakenings can be a time when people feel the need to overhaul their entire lives, Dr. Kessler says, which can lead to overwhelm and stress. This mantra encourages you to make small, doable shifts instead of trying do everything all at once. “Aim for being just 1 percent better than yesterday — give yourself some grace and you will be more likely to stick to whatever changes you are making in your life,” she advises.
Getting the Most Out of Your Affirmation Practice
According to Weber, the more you repeat affirmative statements, the more you will begin to access your deep subconscious mind and alter your long-term thought patterns. The more consistent you can be, the better.
If you’re just starting out with affirmations, she suggests choosing one time of day, preferably the morning, to say your positive words. “In the morning, our brains are in the theta brainwave state and that’s when we have access to our deep subconscious mind,” she says. “In order to reprogram your subconscious, it’s best to repeat these affirmations within the first 20 minutes of waking up.” Say them in your mind or, for a more powerful effect, speak them out loud.
As you move through your midlife awakening, allow these affirmations to guide you, leading you into the next phase of your journey with renewed confidence and purpose.
