Harnessing Positive Words for Self-Love and Motivation – My Rituals

Can I tell you something in confidence?

I’m a big baby.

Seriously.

I need a lot of encouragement, support and love to keep going. You can even say that ‘Words of Affirmation’ is one of my much-needed love languages.

During my school and college days, I used to seek these from my people – family and friends. The journeys and difficulties at that time were something they understood and could empathise with.

But things changed when I started taking ‘The Road Not Taken.’

The challenges were new, struggles were unrelatable (and even unnecessary to some) and I also had to grow up and be an adult.

While I could always reach out to friends, I also understood that I needed to have my back. I needed to be the kind voice that I needed the most. So, I started writing for myself, as a way of cheering myself up, as a way of support and as a way of self-love.

Journaling

It’s an everyday practice. What started as a brain dump, reflection and intention-setting exercise is now a reassurance exercise. Whenever I get overwhelmed, sad, or lack motivation, I talk to myself through my journal.

I acknowledge my feelings and assure myself that it’s going to be okay. Encouraging me just enough and giving me one small thing I can do to make things better. No one knows my everyday woes like my journal does.

Motivating Songs

I’m a lyrical person. Words are what I pay most attention to in songs and I listen to a lot of songs! And lately, they are my source of affirmation and motivation.

I don’t stand in front of the mirror and say things like ‘I’m strong. I’m capable. I can do this.’

It’s usually Tamil (my mother tongue) upbeat songs though and they never fail to lift me up!

Intention Setting Prayers

As a freelancer and creator, my entire day is up to me, spare a few meetings. How I spend my time is a choice I make and restrictions are very few. It’s a life I have designed for myself and sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?

But with great flexibility comes great inertia.

With endless choices comes decision paralysis.

With lack of a guidance comes confusion and self-doubts.

I cannot tell you the number of times I have been sidetracked (by the rat races I convinced myself to run thanks to social media), dropped projects (because I got too overwhelmed with the big goals and no guidance along the way) and felt stuck (because there were so much that I could do but couldn’t muster the energy for anything).

This time around, when I started my creator journey, I realised I needed a little more than my ever-spiralling brain to keep me on track. So, I wrote myself some intention-setting prayers for each of the aspects I wanted to focus on in my life right now.

I read these before I do what I want to do and it’s like an intention coach who keeps me on track.

Open When Letters

It’s probably one of the most romantic gestures that I know. I asked someone special to write them for me when I left my city for college. I was terrified of managing all the challenges alone and like I said, I’m a big baby who needs a lot of love, support and encouragement. So, I got the envelope, explained the idea to them and got them written. They kind of got me through the first year of college.

This time, as I’m planning to embark on a solo adventure after a long time, I can feel the same fears coming back. I’m already anxious even though there is over a month for things to start. So, this time instead of asking for someone to write me Open When letters, I wrote them for myself as a birthday gift.

Even as I wrote them, I felt stronger and more ready and excited for the adventure.

Memory updated
Got it! Here’s a new ending that aligns with the blog’s theme and title:

Over time, I’ve learned that the words I speak to myself hold incredible power. Whether it’s through journaling, listening to uplifting music, setting intentions, or writing letters to my future self, these rituals have become my foundation for self-love and motivation. They are my way of showing up for myself, of gently steering my journey forward with kindness and strength.

The beauty of these practices is that they’re always there—ready to support me whenever I need them. Through them, I’m constantly reminded that I have the power to lift myself up, one positive word at a time.