A year ago I began working on a massive writing project. I began each day the same way. I sat in my desk chair with my feet on the floor. I sipped my hot coffee and wore my special ‘writing shirt.’ In a mindfulness practice, I looked out the window and mentally let everything that needed to go, go out the window and live in the hills outside my window.

And that wasn’t quite enough–the self-doubts started creeping in. Maybe you’re familiar with those pesky ghosts? (For whatever reason, in my head they look like the characters from Witch’s Night Out).

So from there, to quell their negativity, one day I just said out loud, “I believe in myself.” And that felt really good. Then I thought about how I grew up on a weekly basis saying out loud things I was told I was supposed to believe in.

But I was never told to say out loud that I believe in myself.

And think about it…we talk to ourselves all day, every day. But do we give ourselves enough positive self-talk?

So I wrote my own creed. And it was transformative.

Saying this creed out loud, every morning, before my work, changed me. I felt bolder. I felt more like myself. I felt like I could achieve my big goals and work through my fears. Because I said out loud that I believe in myself. I couldn’t help but internalize the things I was saying.

My creed is below…Feel free to use it as your own and distribute it as long as you credit me. And if you need help writing your own, please let me know! I help people write their stories and I can help you write your own creed.

I encourage you to say this out loud if you’re in a safe space. While of course you can just read it to yourself, it’s meant for your vocal cords to be engaged and to pass through your throat. There is something particularly healing about engaging your voice in this way.

My creed.

I believe in myself. I believe in my own power. I believe I am capable and strong. I believe I can endure hardships, move beyond them, thrive, and flourish. I believe I can make the money I need to survive and prosper and live beyond my wildest dreams. I believe I can know myself, know my power, and be bigger and stronger than I can imagine.

Every day I will do my best to care for my heart in a kind and gentle way. Every day I will show unconditional love to myself and to those in my life who deserve my unconditional love. I deserve to take up space in this world and every day I will make sure I’m taking up my appropriate space. I will not apologize for my existence. I believe I am complete exactly as I am now, today. I believe I deserve to be here and do my best and do wildly brilliant things beyond expectation. I trust that I can handle excellence. I can have and I can handle an extraordinary life. I deserve freedom.

By Dr. C Resilience Doctor