I used to be a champion of unending negative thoughts and harsh self-talk. My inner voice was so unbelievably critical – it would constantly put me down, make me doubt my abilities, and shift my focus on all the things that were going wrong in my life.

It has honestly taken me years (and a fair bit of therapy) to move away from that critical inner voice to one that feels like a supportive best friend. Part of that learning came from truly understanding the power of the words we speak, and further still, learning how to use them for good. Somewhere along that journey, certain personal mantras became a part of my life and now, there is really no going back.

What are Mantras Anyway?

Have you found yourself repeating certain positive words or phrases when you either need a self-pep talk, or you’re feeling stressed and anxious? Congratulations, you are already using personal mantras to lift yourself up.  

A mantra is just a fancy word for a phrase or word that you repeat to yourself as a way to focus your mind, shift your energy, and promote all of the good vibes. It’s an extremely simple yet powerful tool for cultivating self-love, inner peace, and joy.

Sometimes it can even be as simple as a repeated sound (like Om, often used in yoga and meditation).

And while there are many Sanskrit/Buddhist/Catholic/other religious mantras and chants that carry so much power, I will focus on the more ‘regular’ ones in this post.

There is no right or wrong mantra to use – as long as the underlying words are positive, uplifting, and/or comforting, it is the right mantra for you at that moment.

What is the Difference between Mantras and Affirmations?

Mantras and affirmations are often used interchangeably, but to me, there is a bit of a nuanced difference between the two. A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that is typically repeated as a way to focus the mind and shift mental energies. It is often associated with meditation or spiritual practice and can help you connect and ground yourself to the present moment. 

An affirmation, on the other hand, is a statement that you repeat to yourself as a way to affirm a belief or value. I like to think of affirmations often in the context of overcoming negative thought patterns and limiting beliefs and helping cultivate self-love and inspire positive changes. 

Ultimately, both mantras and affirmations can be powerful tools for promoting positive energy and improving your life. It’s up to you to decide which one resonates with you and how you want to use it in your daily practice. And you don’t even have to choose. Use whatever feels best in that moment.

Read more: 30 Empowering Self Love Affirmations to Boost Your Confidence

What is a Good Mantra to Live By?

Why just one, I plan to help you with 15 positive mantras that you can use every day (plus some more to follow)! Whether you’re dealing with stress, lack of concentration, negative self-talk, or just feeling a little blah, these simple mantras will help you shift your mindset and start living your best life. 

Positive Mantras for the Day

“Thank you for today.” Most mornings, it’s literally the first thing that I say out loud, even before I have rolled out of bed. This particular mantra became an essential part of my mornings after I lost one of my cousins overnight in an accident a couple of years ago. Every morning I wake up is a humble and great reminder to myself that I still get one more chance to do life.

“God/Universe/Spirit, show me how good it can be.” I usually follow my little morning gratitude mantra with this absolute banger. I put a lot of feeling and energy behind this and I’ll repeat it a few times for good measure. It always leaves me feeling inspired and with an amazing sense of wonderment. 

“All is well with my soul.” The ultimate mantra for inner peace and a sense of calm. It’s such a feel-good mantra, and I love using it even when things are all bright and sunshiny. To me, it is the mantra equivalent of being under a warm, cozy blanket on a crisp, chilly winter morning.

“Things are working out for me.” It’s hard to do life without having some sense of hopefulness. And while I am not the most outwardly positive person, I do remain eternally hopeful that things will get better. Life can be unpredictable, but we can still trust that everything will work out in the end.

Mantras for Living in the Moment

“I choose happiness.” Happiness is a choice, not a destination. You can choose to be happy right now, in this moment. I love using this whenever I am feeling particularly grumpy or negative.

“I am thankful for all that I have and all that I don’t.” Ah, the power of gratitude. Sometime in the last couple of years, my sense of gratitude expanded to not just the people or things I have in my life, but also those that I didn’t. I have come to appreciate that there are often major life lessons in your losses (even when they are extremely painful and just don’t make sense) and I like to believe that the losses either make me stronger or motivate me to do better, be better.

Mantras for Self-Belief 

“I am enough. I have enough.” This one is a classic and for good reason. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others and feeling like we’re not good enough. But the truth is, you are enough just the way you are. This mantra can feel extremely empowering and freeing, especially when you’re dealing with insecurities and self-doubt. 

“I can do this.” Never not meaningful. For someone who continues to suffer from my own share of self-doubt, I find myself reaching for this especially when I find myself outside of my comfort zone (a business networking conference, for example). 

“I am worthy of love and respect.” This one is especially important for anyone who struggles with low self-esteem or has been in toxic relationships (personal or professional). It might feel hard to lean into this mantra if you’ve been in a negative environment for a long time, which is all the more reason to double down on it.

“No one is coming to save me.” At first glance, it might seem like the very opposite of an encouraging mantra for self-belief. But if you dig just a little deeper, it’s really all about putting the reins of your life in your own hands instead of depending on someone else to “save you”. Your success, your healing, your life’s journey – it is all in your hands. Yes, you are not an island, and yes, the actions of other people will impact you, and yes, you will also likely have help along the way. But you are the one in charge here of your own self – the choices you make, the direction you take, and how you choose to respond to life’s challenges and opportunities. It is you, your attitude, and your actions that will ultimately shape your life.

I should add one thing though – if you’re a person of faith, this is not the same as saying that God will not protect you or help you. Your faith, your belief, can be the helping hand and the guide, but ultimately, YOU are the one who has to act and the one who has to make the journey.

“Done is better than perfect.” It’s not for nothing that they say that perfection is the enemy of progress. This has shifted my mentality to be more action-and-closure oriented rather than keep going for inane over-optimizations.

“Action over intent.” I have found this mantra to be useful in both my personal as well as work life. Even imperfect action is better than the best intention. You know the phrase “Changed behavior is the best apology” – it’s a perfect example of this mantra in action. 

“I am creating a life that I love.” This mantra reminds you that you are the creator of your own life. You have the power to shape your reality and create a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful to you.

Mantras for Hard Times

“This too shall pass.” One of my absolute favorites. This a powerful mantra for both the good times and even more so when find yourself in the middle of a difficult situation. It highlights the transient nature of life and encourages you to remember that nothing is permanent. So cherish the good times that you have, and know that the hard times will pass too. 

“I release what no longer serves me.” Letting go of things that no longer serve us is essential for personal growth and healing. Repeat this mantra whenever you’re struggling to let go of a relationship, a job, a habit, or anything else that’s holding you back.

What are the Best Daily Mantras?

The whole point of mantras is to be simple and easy enough to use daily.

Here’s a recap of the short mantras highlighted above plus a few additional mantras (including a few money mantras) that you can use every day.

• Thank you for today.
• Show me how good it can be.
• All is well with my soul.
• Things are working out for me.
• I choose happiness.
• I am thankful for all that I have and all that I don’t.
• I am enough. I have enough.
• I can do this.
• I am worthy of love and respect.
• No one is coming to save me.
• Done is better than perfect.
• Action over intent.
• I am creating a life that I love.
• This too shall pass.
• I release what no longer serves.
• Money flows easily to me.
• I am a money magnet.
• Amazing things are coming my way.
• I am building a happy and fulfilling life.
• I forgive myself for my past mistakes.
• I love myself.
• The little things make the big things.
• Everything in my life is working out.

At the end of the day, find mantras that resonate with you and use them more regularly in your everyday life. This list is really just a starting point – feel free to put your own spin to these mantras to make them better suited for your individual needs.

How to Get the Most Out of These Positive Mantras?

The best way to harness the power of your favorite motivational mantras is actually rather simple. Repeat them often. Speak them out loud. Say it with feeling.

Write them down if you want to. Post sticky notes with your mantras on your laptop, bathroom mirror, or car’s dashboard – wherever you can see it often and have a visual reminder.

As with affirmations, the magic is really in the repetition. You don’t have to worry about using them in the right way or only at certain designated times. As long as the mantras bring about the feeling that you’re seeking – a boost of confidence, a little mental shift, a dose of positivity – they are doing the job.

An important thing to remember though – positive mantras and affirmations are not really a magic pill for a happy life. Similarly, having a generally positive mindset is not a guarantee that life will be an endless stream of only good things. You are human – not a robot programmed for non-stop positivity. Even when you’re living a good life, you will have had good days and you will have bad days. And it is simply human nature to occasionally feel low or dejected.

The best way to think of mantras and their power is to view them as yet another tool in your personal mental well-being toolkit. As you incorporate them into your daily routine, you will come to see mantras and affirmations as a steady source of positive energy and good vibes.

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In conclusion, mantras are powerful tools for cultivating positive energy and shifting your mindset. By choosing a mantra that resonates with you and repeating it often, you can tap into the power of your own inner wisdom and cultivate a more positive, fulfilling life.

Do you use mantras often? What’s on your list of good mantras to live by?