I’ve always found it fascinating that as humans, we often have trouble taking our own advice. We tell those we love to "go easy on themselves" and "stop the negative self-talk"—but I know for me, I’ve always struggled to practice what I preach when it comes to silencing my inner critic.

I always tell my partner that I wish she could see herself through my eyes, and vice versa. We’re so quick to compliment one another on the very same things we criticize ourselves for—and that self-criticism often triggers anxiety.

But what if we showed ourselves the same love that we show to those we care about? One way to do this is by repeating mantras of self-love to train and increase our positive self-talk.

According to a study in Brain and Behavior, “silently repeating a single word to yourself quiets the system responsible for your mind wandering, thinking about your past, or planning your future.”

In other words, repeating mantras are proven to calm your mind. And if we add self-love into that mantra mix, it’ll likely lead us to show ourselves more compassion.

In a study on the effects of positive self-talk on first-grade students, it was found that positive self-talk is a “life-impacting skill [that] has the potential to change perspectives, attitudes, and reactions in regard to oneself, to others and to the circumstances in which we find ourselves.”

If you ask me, that’s powerful stuff—and it all stems from something so simple.

Try showing yourself love today by repeating a self-love mantra of your own, and pay attention to the effect it has on your mind and your outlook. If you don’t know where to start, we got you.

We asked the Shine community to share their favorite self-love mantras with us, and these are some of our favorites:

  • Take it one day at a time, and this too will pass. I can feel peace in the middle of a storm.

  • You are doing as best as you can.

  • "Progress, not perfection."

  • I am here, and that matters. ❤️

  • Just breathe. All will be well. ✨

  • Stay present. Get grounded. You are powerful.

  • It’s ok to feel what you need to feel. Sit through this moment and breathe.

  • My work does not define me.

  • You’re strong and worthy—keep striving.

  • You are enough.

  • I am worthy of love. Hold on just a little bit longer. Dust yourself off and try again. Bit by bit is how real, lasting change happens. Keep chipping away at the task. You got this! Yes, I can!

  • You are strong. You are fearless. You are beautiful. You will heal. You will get through this.

  • I am human.

  • I am a soul of love. A heart of peace. A mind of stillness. A being of light.

  • I am not my feelings. This is temporary. I make small steps I am proud of.

  • You are smart, you are kind, you are important, and you are enough!

  • I love my perseverance. I’ve proven that I’m strong, smart, alert, motivated, and capable.

  • Small progress is still progress.

  • You are perfect the way you are, you don’t need to change, but you can grow if desired.

  • You don’t need to be perfect to be worthy of love.

  • Take it one day at a time.

  • I will fill my heart with love and joy every day. ✨

  • The healing journey may not be linear, but you’re on the right track.

  • I am unique, no one else is me and that's my superpower.

  • You are capable of anything you put your mind to.

  • Every day, I am constantly evolving.

  • I am here for you.

  • I have power over my thoughts and emotions. I will not let them control or define me.

  • Today I will show myself some loving kindness.

  • I can better myself! I will stop worrying about what is going to happen and let it flow.

  • You are sunshine and sparkle brightest when you don't cloud yourself with negativity. Speak to yourself with kindness and the clouds will clear, you deserve to shine.

  • ‘I am safe. I am calm. I trust.’ ‘You can do anything, but you don’t have to do everything.’ These two are my go-tos

  • I can choose how I perceive every situation.

  • This too shall pass.

  • Change takes time, which involves patience. You can’t rush everything.

Read Next: How to Make Perfectionism Work For—Not Against—You