affirmation challenge

New month, new challenge!

Be an encourager. The world has enough critics already.

Anonymous

The thankfulness challenge for May was really impactful. To recall things and people to be thankful for is a really amazing experience. We are now in June, and that means that we may as well start a new challenge. We are not going to just be thankful for people this month, but we are going to tell them what they mean to us.

A few summers ago, I did a similar challenge where I would affirm someone different each week. This month, I want you all to join me in this challenge. Choose a random number. Mine is 4 (my favorite number btw). That is how many people you will affirm each week. 4 weeks in June x 4 people a week = (at least) 16 people to affirm during the month. Let’s make June the month of affirmation.

Do you not know what to send to your friend in an affirmation text? I have some thing that I love to include in my encouragements towards others.

1. Memory: Is it the time that you first met? Or when you started to become friends? Is it a classic moment that you guys shared that meant a lot? Whatever the memory may be, I’m sure your friend will not mind a trip down memory lane.
2. Favorite Characteristics: What is your favorite thing about your friend? Is it their laugh? Do they bright up a room whenever they enter? Do they have a personality that draws people to them? Are they super unique? Is there something that they are passionate about? Telling your friend your favorite characteristics that they have is sure to make them feel special.
3. How you feel about them: What is it about your friend that you really love and appreciate? This may be similar to favorite characteristics, but it goes much deeper. Have they been the one who has been by your side through it all? Do you love them in ways that words cannot easily express? Tell them. I’m sure that they will appreciate it, no matter what you say.
4. Something to make them feel special: You know your friend. You know those magic words that can make them feel super appreciated. Especially if you do not do it often, use them. Say something personalized for them that you know will make them feel valued. Do you admire how they put themselves before others? Tell them that they are good at it, that you admire it, or that you want to do the same for them. Whatever makes your friend feel valued. Say it!
5. Something Future-Oriented: This one is much more vague because it can mean a lot of different things. This could be scheduling a meet-up soon. I love any chance to get to see my friends. It could be scheduling a time to video chat. This may be appreciating where the friendship has gone and looking forward to what it will become in the future. It could be affirming their future plans. “You will make a great doctor someday.” for a friend who wants to do into the medical field. Or if your friend just got married, you can affirm how great of a spouse he or she will be. The focus in all of these is your friend based on your perspective. Be kind. Be gracious. Be uplifting.

If you think that this is something that more people should do, challenge them to do it too. Link this blog post if you want more people to do it. Let’s try to lift each other up in a culture where everyone is tearing each other down.