Happy International Women’s Day.

Today is such an important day for honouring the work of women across the World, from our Mothers and sisters to those leading the way on an international scale. The movement for equal rights across the World is ongoing with many fights taking place on our very own doorstep.

That is why March 8th is not just a day to take stock and reflect on women’s progress, but serves as a call to action to do more, work harder, and stand up for every woman’s right to education, equal pay, and body autonomy. At the end of this post, I will list some causes I would encourage you to consider donating to this International Women’s Day.

Am I Enough?

Despite this powerful message, there can be another side to March 8th. The journey of being a woman is often not an easy one. We wear so many hats at all times, often taking on the weight of emotional labour alongside the immense pressure to be exceptional. In much of the World, women have more opportunity and power than ever before, and so it feels critically important to take advantage of that and show up for our gender.

A new female archetype has arisen: the woman who does it all. The Mother, partner, breadwinner, boss, friend, daughter, traveller, homemaker, beauty. We have fought so hard to have the option to take these roles, that achieving anything less than perfection can come with intense feelings of failure. I am afraid of letting down the women that came before me.

I so often feel like I am not enough.

This International Women’s Day, I want to be honest about those feelings because I know I am not alone. I don’t want other women to feel ashamed of these vulnerabilities because it is possible to be both proud of the women that are succeeding, and simultaneously wish a different situation for yourself.

Adopt the Growth Mindset

Instead of shrouding these self-judgements in shame or fear, what if we brought them into the light? With a shift in perspective, we can approach them with a different mindset – a Growth Mindset. These insecurities are evidence of a belief in our ability to do and be more. Seeing someone else’s achievement and feeling a pang of “I wish that was me” demonstrates an innate belief that it could be; you can see yourself with that same achievement…you just don’t know how to get there.

I am going to tell you the first step: Self-belief. Some call it manifesting, others speaking your dreams into reality, but simply put it is the practice of building your confidence to a point of actively believing you can achieve whatever you put your mind to. How can you expect to get that job, gain those clients, or sell your manuscript, if you do not even believe that you are worthy of success?

To help you on that journey, I want to share with you 21 Positive Affirmations for Women. You can say these to yourself every morning in the mirror, print them out somewhere you’ll see throughout the day, or write them every evening in a gratitude journal.

21 Positive Affirmations for Women

1. I don’t need outward validation to prove my worth.
2. I cannot control the actions and reactions of others, I can only control the actions and reactions of myself.
3. Failure is the best option for growth.
4. Maintaining boundaries keeps love in, it does not lock love out.
5. I deserve good things
6. I have permission to let go of all the things that drain me.
7. It is never too late to start something new.
8. I cannot be everything to everyone.
9. I know my love is in abundance, those that cannot see that are free to walk away.
10. I control the size of my comfort zone.
11. I will achieve great things through small steps.
12. I am allowed to have different priorities than the people around me.
13. Investing in myself is more important than investing in others.
14. Moving my body is a privilege and an act of love.
15. Today I will allow myself to feel my feelings without judgment.
16. I believe in myself completely.
17. I know my value, I never have to prove my worth.
18. Change only comes to those who ask for it.
19. It is not my responsibility to make other people happy.
20. I will not make myself small for anyone.
21. I am doing my best, that is enough. I am enough.

Positive Affirmation Challenge

In order to see genuine change from these affirmations, it is important to be consistent in using them. Remembering to say them out loud once every few weeks isn’t going to be enough.

I challenge you to a one-week Positive Affirmations for Women challenge. Each day, take three of the above statements and reaffirm them to yourself by reading them out loud or writing them down. Try and do this at least three times throughout the day to keep their meanings present in your mind.

After one week, reflect on anything you’ve noticed during the challenge. Which affirmations felt empowering to adopt, which were a struggle to take as true? It’s okay to fake it until you make it, but the more you practice these affirmations, the stronger you are going to feel.

Save this post to come back to and enter your email in the subscription box below to get more judgment-free Personal Development content straight to your inbox.

International Women’s Day Causes

Please consider researching and donating your time or money to one of the following causes this International Women’s Day. Our goal of equality for women across the World still so heavily relies on the support of women with privilege continuing to advocate for those whose voices are not yet being heard.

• Dress for Success: Worldwide
  • Provides a network of support, professional attire, and tools to help women thrive in work and life.
• Malala Fund
  • Supports students and educators in providing secondary education to women around the world
• Trans Lifeline
  • Provides a crucial hotline to support Trans people across the USA