Pema Chdrn Daily Affirmations

If you love Pema Chdrn s teachings, you probably appreciate how she turns raw honesty into a doorway for compassion. These affirmations are not slick positive slogans. They are gentle invitations to come back to what s true, to befriend difficulty, and to steady yourself in the present moment. Use them as reminders, not as pressure to feel a certain way.

How to use these affirmations

Pick one to sit with for a day, or choose a few to repeat during a short breathing practice. Say them softly, write them on an index card, or place one where you ll see it in a hard moment. The point is to cultivate willingness and warmth toward whatever arises, not to fix or erase pain.

Daily affirmations inspired by Pema Chdrn

1. May I be kind to myself.

   Kindness is the first practice. Let this be a soft landing when you re critical or tired.

2. I can be with what is.

   Willingness to feel is the beginning of freedom. You don t have to understand everything; just allow it to be present.

3. This, too, shall pass.

   Impermanence eases clinging and amplifies acceptance. Everything moves.

4. I return again and again to the breath.

   Small returns are powerful. If you wander, come back, again and again, without judgment.

5. I can rest in the middle of the storm.

   You don t have to wait for calm to practice calm. A moment of steadiness is possible now.

6. I am willing to be vulnerable.

   Vulnerability is not weakness; it s the ground of genuine connection and courage.

7. I let go of the story I m telling about myself.

   Stories keep us stuck. Notice them, then choose to set them down for a while.

8. I offer patience to myself and others.

   Patience opens space for learning and for kindness to grow slowly.

9. I forgive myself for doing the best I could in that moment.

   We learn by stumbling. Forgiveness loosens the grip of shame and allows growth.

10. May I become a friend to myself.

    A friendly inner voice turns criticism into compassion; it s one of the most practical spiritual practices we have.

A simple practice routine

• Morning (25 minutes): Choose one affirmation. Sit or stand, breathe slowly, say it aloud or silently three times, letting the meaning sink in.
• During the day: When you notice tension or reactivity, pause for three breaths and repeat the affirmation that feels most soothing.
• Evening (510 minutes): Reflect on your day with kindness. Bring the affirmation you practiced and notice where you were gentle and where you can be gentler tomorrow.

When affirmations feel hollow

If an affirmation feels false or empty, that s okay. Pema s approach is to sit with the discomfort rather than force cheerfulness. Try phrasing the affirmation as a question or an intention, for example: Am I willing to be kind to myself today? or Today I will try to notice one moment of kindness. That small shift reduces pressure and increases real openness.

A one-week plan to get started

Assign one affirmation per day from the list above. Each morning, read it, say it three times, and repeat it when you notice stress. By week s end you ll have touched each intention and seen which ones naturally support you.