3 Positive Affirmations for Recovery That Help Me Through My Hardest Days

We all have those days—when we just want to disappear from the world. Deadlines pile up. Teams messages pop in nonstop. The to-do list grows longer by the hour. I call those days my “suffocating days“. During those times, I turned to 3 Positive Affirmations for Recovery—simple but grounding words that anchored me. They didn’t solve everything, but they helped me move through the chaos with calm and steadiness.

1. “Inhale. Exhale. Relax.”

I printed this phrase on a tumbler I designed myself and brought it to the office—a quiet reminder amid the flood of notifications. Every time I felt overwhelmed, I’d reach for my water, whisper the words:
Inhale. Exhale. Relax.
I’d switch off my screen for five minutes, place my hand on my stomach, and breathe.
Deep in.
Slow out.

Then I’d open my journal and write down just three things I needed to finish that day. I’d close all the unrelated tabs and gently walk myself through each task—one step at a time.

Would you believe me if I said breathing can clear the mess inside your mind?
It’s not magic—it’s science. Breathing deeply soothes your nervous system, eases anxiety, and improves focus. See the scientific report “The Power of Breath: The Surprising Benefits of Conscious Breathing” for more on the benefits of mindful breathing.

Now, I practice “Inhale. Exhale. Relax.” for at least 15 minutes a day—even when I’m standing at my desk. It’s a ritual that brings me back to the present.

You can grab my “Inhale. Exhale. Relax.” tumbler — a small daily cue designed my be to come back to your breath.

2. “I choose to be my own source of motivation.”

I’ve tried it all—self-help books, inspiring podcasts, online courses.
They worked—for a while. I’d feel a rush of motivation… until I returned to work, only to find that nothing really changed.

Here’s what I realized: Most self-help advice comes from individual experiences. And no one’s path is exactly like yours. What fuels someone else may not fuel you.

At some point, I had to remember the meaning of “self-help”—it means you help yourself. External motivation fades. No one is going to show up every single day to cheer you on. And deep down, we know—we can’t keep waiting for someone else to remind us what matters.

That’s when I began turning to my Positive Affirmations for Recovery—gentle but firm reminders that my strength didn’t have to come from outside.

The affirmation “I choose to be my own source of motivation” brought me back to a deeper question:

“Where does real motivation come from?“

For me, it came from knowing myself.

At 20, I chased goals that matched society’s timeline of success.
But in my 30s, I began journaling. I asked myself:

• How do I really feel today?
• What gives my life meaning?
• What kind of life do I truly want?

And in the quiet of writing, I started hearing my own voice again—the one I’d long ignored beneath the noise of everyone else’s expectations.

From there, I could set goals that reflected my truth—not what others thought I should do.

3. “Be kind to yourself.”

There was a time I packed my schedule from 5 AM to 10 PM.
I was terrified of being replaced. I feared I’d fall behind society’s expectations of what a “successful adult” should look like.
I compared myself to friends, siblings, everyone.
I cried on multiple weekdays…

Eventually, I went to therapy — something still rare for my generation in a culture that often insists we’re “fine.”

After those sessions, I started reminding myself:
Be kind to yourself. 

You can shop my small art print Be Kind To Your Self here.

That simple sentence became one of my third Positive Affirmations for Recovery through hardest days.

Kindness means knowing your limits. It means letting yourself rest, breathe, and even fall apart of course without guilt.

Now, I carve out one hour a day just for me.
No phone. No email. Sometimes I read. Other days I paint, take a long bath, or just sit quietly and breathe.

With a calmer mind, I find I can finish both work and personal goals with steady energy, no burnout, no chaos.

You might be thinking: “But how do I find time for that?”

Start by cleaning up your leaky time — those unconscious scrolls on social media, the tabs in your brain filled with worry and comparison, or stressing about things that haven’t even happened yet.

A Gentle Ending

I call them my Positive Affirmations for Recovery—gentle words I return to when the days feel heavy.

• Inhale. Exhale. Relax.
• I choose to be my own source of motivation.
• Be kind to yourself.

They’re not magic. They don’t replace action. They won’t fix everything overnight.

But they are a starting point — a way to bring intention back into each day. A way to breathe when everything feels tight. A way to soften the noise and hear yourself again. If you’re in the middle of a chaotic season, try picking just one affirmation.
Write it down. Stick it on your desk. Print it on your favorite mug. You’d be surprised how far a small daily reminder can carry you.

And if no one’s told you this today: You’re doing better than you think. Take a breath. Take a break. You’re not behind — you’re just being human.