The Power of Positive Thinking, Visualisation, and Affirmations

There was a time in my life when I felt completely defeated. I had been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, and the constant exhaustion was soul-crushing. Every day felt like wading through quicksand. The more I learned about the condition, the more hopeless I became. Antidepressants dulled the edges, but they didn’t change the truth: I was shattered.

Then, something unexpected happened. A young boy handed me a book: Chicken Soup for the Soul. I opened it with little expectation, but page after page, I was introduced to people enduring unimaginable challenges - and still finding light, courage, and hope.

That book was a turning point. I realised that while I couldn’t always control my circumstances, I could control how I responded to them. I could choose my perspective.

That’s when visualisation and positive affirmations became my constant companions. Instead of focusing on fatigue, I began picturing myself vibrant and full of energy. Instead of rehearsing everything I couldn’t do, I began affirming what I could. Slowly, my mindset shifted. My body followed. And life, which had felt so heavy, began to feel possible again.

The truth is: our thoughts shape our reality. Positive affirmations and visualisation aren’t about pretending challenges don’t exist. They are about training your mind to see possibilities, to build resilience, and to call forth strength you may have forgotten you had.

There are endless affirmations available in books, podcasts, and websites - but the most powerful are the ones you write for yourself. They should be words that resonate deeply, that remind you who you are and who you are becoming.

Some of mine included:

• "I am strong enough to face this day."

• "My energy grows as I focus on what matters."

• "I am worthy of health, joy, and love."

Today, I still use affirmations and visualisation as part of my daily practice. Not because life is suddenly free of hardship, but because these tools keep me anchored, focused, and hopeful.

So, if you’re feeling weighed down by life, I encourage you to try it. Start small. Write one affirmation that lifts you. Visualise one change you want to see. Practice it daily. You may be surprised by just how much power your thoughts carry.

Because sometimes, the first step to changing your life is simply changing your mind.