85 affirmations for coping with a thyroid problem: When my body and mind were at their weakest, I had to be my strongest and this is what I told myself.

Hypnobirthing and positive affirmations

Before I gave birth to my daughter I practiced hypnobirthing and a part of this was to recite positive thoughts and affirmations. I littered the walls of our house with affirmations in preparation for birth, giving little thought to their usefulness beyond.

Postpartum Thyroiditis

Three months following the birth of my daughter I became extremely ill and was eventually diagnosed with Postpartum Thyroiditis and on-going thyroiditis, experiencing both an over and an underactive thyroid within a culture of ignorance when it came to diagnosis and treatment.

Some of the symptoms I faced were mental disturbances, an inability to think or feel straight and a mind riddled with doubt, of myself and of ever being well again. Professional medical voices often confirmed these thoughts by failing to acknowledge symptoms, oversimplifying my condition and prescribing the wrong treatment and diagnosis.

Affirmations for Postpartum Thyroiditis

Having been a part of my life for some time, affirmations were something that I began to do quite naturally, a transferable practice for birth and beyond. I began to tell myself I was right, about my own body and mind, that I was entitled to care and answers and that I wasn’t a terrible person – I was poorly. On the days that I faltered my family did this for me. Some of these affirmations may help, some (or all) may not – choose the ones that work for you, disregard the others and perhaps add your own.

Mind and body

1. I know my body.
2. I am confident that I am THE expert on ME.
3. I perceive myself as an expert.
4. My experiences are my expertise.
5. I know that my thoughts are my thyroid speaking, they are not me.
6. I am aware that my body and brain are one, my thyroid health is my mental health.
7. I know that the thyroid controls every cell in the body, its impact is significant.
8. I trust myself explicitly (especially when it comes to my health.)
9. I love myself enough to keep going.
10. I fight for my health it is everything.
11. I know that my symptoms are real.
12. I describe my symptoms with confidence.
13. I am unique and my experience of thyroid-related symptoms are unique.
14. I am confident that mental health presentations are symptomatic of thyroid-related illness.
15. I am ‘in tune’ with my body and this helps me.
16. I believe in my body.

Knowledge is power

1. I am a learner.
2. I am capable of articulating my knowledge.
3. I empower myself with knowledge.
4. I speak with confidence and strength (even when I am crying.)
5. I am intelligent enough to utilise information that will help me and disregard that which will hinder.
6. I am brave enough to ask questions.
7. I ask questions in order to understand.
8. I am proud to be proactive when it comes to my own health.
9. I build my own trusted support network no matter what it takes.
10. I acknowledge that I am not alone, there are people who understand me.
11. My confidence allows me to request the tests that I feel are necessary in order to understand my condition.
12. My learning helps me to live my best life.
13. I can and do solve problems.
14. My resilience is my strength.
15. I am flexible and have the confidence to adapt my approach.
16. I keep going.

The importance of me

1. I am entitled to be cared for.
2. I deserve help and support.
3. My condition is serious and it deserves to be taken seriously.
4. My quality of life matters.
5. I am worthy of being listened to and taken seriously.
6. I am a good mum.
7. My approach to my health makes me a good role model.
8. I am strong for my baby. (or other family member)
9. I believe that I have lots to give.
10. My life is special.
11. I am a valuable and important person.
12. I am worth it.
13. I know its ok to prioritise myself.
14. I put myself first in order to help others.
15. I acknowledge how far I have come.

From strength to strength

1. I am a strong and ferocious person.
2. I keep going even when I meet barriers.
3. I know it will pass.
4. I recognise that my feelings and experiences aren’t permanent.
5. I trust that things will change.
6. I accept that an off day is not a setback it’s a blip.
7. I take each day as it comes (when this is necessary.)
8. I am proud of small accomplishments (sometimes getting dressed is enough.)
9. I do not let the judgement of my experiences hold me back.
10. I do not feel pressure to explain myself.
11. I am stronger than I feel.
12. I am strong enough to know when I need help.
13. I accept help graciously.
14. My strength helps me to bounce back from setbacks.
15. I am discerning about where I expend my emotional energy.
16. I only engage in things that help me.
17. My fear is my friend, it drives me forward.

Be kind to yourself

1. I am patient with myself and my body.
2. I know that healing takes time.
3. I love myself enough to give myself time.
4. I listen to my body and do what is best for it.
5. I am positive when I can be and I am kind to myself when I can’t.
6. I am a kind and thoughtful person.
7. I am not responsible for my illness.
8. I do my best and that is enough.
9. I focus my energy on people who KNOW me.
10. I am humble enough to utilise trusted relationships.
11. I am brave enough to ask for help.
12. I am grateful for what I have.
13. I look for small and simple pleasures in life.
14. I accept that I cannot help others right now.
15. I know my time will come to help others.
16. I am kind to myself
17. I allow myself to feel fed up, grumpy and frustrated.
18. I allow myself to be poorly.
19. I know that negative emotions are human and understandable.

Advocate

1. I know that I am the best advocate for me.
2. I use my experiences to help others.
3. I am proud to speak openly and honestly about my journey.
4. I am brave enough to share my personal story.
5. My focus for sharing is on those it may help.

Want to add your own affirmations? Here are the tips and pointers I used after some wonderful feedback from the beautiful Jessica Summers.

Gofundme

I am currently raising funds in order to get a selection of these affirmations printed for others. For more information visit my crowdfunding page here.

The Context

Read parts one, two, three four, five and six (the end) of My Battle with Postpartum Thyroiditis.