Affirmation Cards: Affirming The Space Between

Hello Everyone! 

As the autumn rolls in with all its glorious colour, it finds me excited, a little bit (actually a lot) nervous, and rather proud that a project that I have been working on for the past few months is finally here for you to enjoy: The Space Between Affirmation Cards.  I have used affirmation cards for years for both my journaling prompts and my daily intention guides, but when it came to creating this fresh deck, I wanted them to have a particular focus and that is to harness the sacred moments and the legacy that caring for others holds by affirming the space between it all.

Let’s be honest, when we care for others we give out a lot of p

ersonal and professional energy, leading to our inner tanks feeling low, or even empty, so that we have nothing left at the end of the day for ourselves. Affirming the space between life as a Mum, wife, sister, daughter, friend, postnatal doula, a cancer patient, and healer, has been a practice I have endeavored to commit to throughout the years through the powerful act of journaling, and this has taught me how to fill my tanks right back up. Along with my yoga, walking, regular physical and talking therapies, journaling is an anchor for my mental wellbeing. 

Today I wanted to look at three of my favourite cards with you and delve a little deeper into how they can help you as you look after the people around you. 

The Spcae Between Affirmation Cards

Self Care

“I honour my boundaries as an act of self respect and sustainability. Saying ‘No’ is sometimes the most loving thing I can do”

Taking time out of your day and setting up a sustainable budget to allow self care to become a regular habit can feel a little awkward. I have heard friends say that they feel selfish about both the time and the money they spend on their wellbeing, but they don’t put the balance into their equations, which is that they give out to other people for over ten hours a day! 

Self care is sometimes portrayed as self indulgent, but it is simply an act of respecting our own mental and physical health and allows us to sustainably care for the people around us. Saying ‘No’ to doing an extra leg of the school run so that you can make sure you are able to get to a Pilates class on time and without stress is valid; it allows you to keep on top of your health whilst you strengthen your body and mind, whilst enjoying time with other people in a community that is focused on keeping well. It also means that you will have enough energy to say ‘Yes’ when you can offer help without feeling grumpy about it! 

Self care can also be carving out an evening to enjoy some creative writing at home, or pulling all the art supplies onto the kitchen table and enjoying some crafting. It can be booking in for a long overdue massage or haircut, and it can also look like sitting and gazing out onto the garden whilst you enjoy a hot cup of tea. You will know what replenishes your energy tanks, and making time to take care of yourself is what this card helps you focus on. 

Think about… are there any times in the week that would make an easy self-care routine moment? What would you fill a regular 90 minute time block with that would help you feel refreshed and cared for? 

Unconditional

“I offer care without condition, and love without pressure. I meet everyone where they are, without judgement.”

I created this card to remind me of the focus for my work. When I am welcomed into a family’s home to help them through the first year after Bubs arrives, I walk through the front door with unconditional care as the only thing on my radar.

When we care for others we are offering our love, intention, and wisdom to someone who is in need, whether that's a family member, a friend, or someone we are working with. Meeting them in a way that is unconditional means that we drop our agendas and preconceived ideas. We offer them the care that they need without any strings attached, and this can often be the hardest place to work. 

As carers, we sometimes want to get in and fix things, but actually helping and loving people where they are on their own life journey means that we are called to hold space with them on that part of the road, instead of trying to do the map reading for them. We are there to support and encourage them, trusting that they can work it out in their own time and that they will find a better way forward than we could ever imagine. 

Think about…  Are there times where meeting someone is somewhat frustrating as they seem to be walking around in circles? What would help you meet them unconditionally so that you can offer care without condition and love without pressure? 

Presence

“Holding space is powerful work. I do not need to fix, I need to be. Witnessing and honouring is often more healing than solving.”

I often hold space for those around me in my work, and learning the skills of active listening has enriched my life! When I am with someone who is sharing their story and detailing their experiences without offering my own advice, or trying to move them on to another subject, I am witness to powerful and transformational work that happens within them. Simply being with that person during a time of need, when they can start to unravel from the stress and deep emotions that may have bound them, is a true honour. 

The Buddhist practice of listening was beautifully written about in the article “Simply Hear, Simply Here” published by Tricycle. Simply put, it highlights the simplicity of being present and holding space with everyone we meet. It can be a huge challenge at first, but with daily practice, the gift of offering our presence to those around us can be one of the most life affirming things we can give someone.

Think about…  When you are with your partner or friends over the next couple of days, challenge yourself with these two questions: Am I actually listening and offering them space to say what they need to say, or am I just waiting to say my piece? When I actively listen, can I see their body relax and hear their voice soften? 

The Space Between Affirmation Cards

These are just three of my affirmation cards, and every time I pull one out of the deck I realise that my thoughts and emotions have changed since the last time I focused on it. Sometimes they challenge me, and on other days they simply remind me that I am enough, and I am doing enough, that I am strong, and that I am loved. 

Affirmation cards are a beautiful way to start or close your day with positive intentions. I will often prop my card-of-the-day up in the kitchen to remind me where I need to focus my heart and mind, and they have pulled me out of spiralling thought patterns that may not be helpful. 

As you use your deck to help you hold The Space Between, I hope that you enjoy them with your journal.

Once your doula, always your doula!

Love, Sam xx