Long story short, you survived impossible things. No matter how impossible it felt to keep going, you did, because you are a survivor. You're the one who needs to be telling yourself: "I am a survivor." Read this affirmation to keep believing in what you can do.

“You’re not a victim for sharing your story. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth. And you never know who needs your light, your warmth, and raging courage.” — Alex Elle

If you know what it’s like to wonder how you'll ever make it through, and then you do somehow make it through, this is for you.

Use this affirmation as a backdrop for those days when you need to remember how resilient you can be. Read it out loud or to yourself, like you're telling yourself the most important things you need to hear.

I am a survivor.

I can't be defined by a situation. I am no victim of circumstance. I am more powerful than that.

I am not imprisoned by an opinion nor am I chained to my past. I am so much bigger than any of that.

I am not broken and I haven't been hardened into stone. The places where I’ve been cracked apart have been mended with gold. I’m stronger than I ever knew I could be and more beautiful than before. I have gone further than I ever thought I could go.

I can still love, after all I've been through, because it’s how I choose to be. I find fortitude in my vulnerability. Though there’s no way to erase the terror I’ve seen, there’s still love to give and joy to receive. How I live my life now is my responsibility.

All of this, because I am a survivor, not a victim.

“If I told you how I got this way… you would marvel that I got up today.” — Alfa

I am what I choose to become.

I am not what yesterday told me to be. I am strong in what I choose to become.

I write hope all over my future so that I can live my best in the present moment. This has become my home because this is where peace is possible — not back then and not “someday, when.”

I am not tethered to what can’t be changed or rearranged. I focus on what I can do from this place. Healing presents itself to me in all sorts of ways because I am open to feeling whole today.

One day at a time, I create my new life. I trust that I can do the things that seem impossible today; I’ve done that before.

I share my story as a healing.

I don’t wait for the world to give me what I want. I give myself what I need and I give the world what I long to see.

I am better and not bitter because this is the way I’ve chosen to grow.

I may have suffered in silence before, but now I'm healing hand in hand. I have walked out of the fire with a firehose in my hand, ready to help however I can.

I wear my scars to show how a phoenix is born from ashes and hope.

The people I consider breathtakingly beautiful are the ones who have risen, all the way from rock bottom.

. . .

Tell me:

Which part of this affirmation did you need to read today?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I'd love to know! 

With love,

Jen

P.S. Never forget how valuable you are, how far you’ve come. Go visit my shop to find the perfect poetry print that celebrates you in your fullness, in your mess and magic and everything in between.