What exactly are affirmations? Positive statements, that are used for self encouragement and remind your brain what you know you’re worthy and capable of. Affirmations for pet loss can displace negative thoughts, help overcome anxiety, and literally train your brain to be nicer to you. Research shows that positive thinking can rewire your brain and change your outlook on things (aka stop beating yoruself up so much). 

In grief, we need affirmations. There is such a powerlessness when your beloved pet dies. One thing our brains decide it can control is how hard we are on ourselves. But you do have power over your brain. It’s yours, you own it. Not the other way around. 

Affirmations help bring one of my my favorite quotes to fruition: “The Garden That’s Watered, Is the One That Grows.“

Write them down, print them out, read them regularly. Water, water, water. It takes practice and perseverance. 

But it does work.

• I accept myself unconditionally, just as my pet did.
• For each day I get through, I’m proud of myself. 
• As my grief evolves it’s not going away, it’s becoming a part of me. 
• I take comfort in all of my memories.
• I have intentions to heal, even if I don’t know how right now. 
• I am a fighter even on days I can’t go into battle.
• I know that love and grief are partners. I would never change the love, therefore I can accept the grief. 
• I will embrace joy and laughter as it comes. I know it does not negate my grief. 
• I will rest on the days I need to.
• I will grieve in ways that feel right to me and not allow others to dictate my journey.
• I am capable of finding peace after loss.
• I have survived hard things before and I will survive grief too.