There’s something rather lovely about a few simple words landing at exactly the right moment.

That’s really where the idea for our new Affirmation Cards began.

Not because life is always easy. Quite the opposite, in fact. Most of us are juggling far too much far too often — work, family, worries, responsibilities, deadlines, laundry baskets, ageing parents, aching backs, forgotten passwords… the list goes on! And somewhere in the middle of all that noise, it’s very easy to lose sight of ourselves. I usually begin a statement like like with “I can only speak for myself, but…”. Here I am pretty sure I speak for most of us. And another thing: I think many of us speak to ourselves far more harshly than we would ever speak to a friend.

We tell ourselves we’re behind.
Not good enough.
Too old.
Too tired.
Too late.
Too much.
Not enough.

And after a while, those thoughts become part of the background hum of daily life.

That’s why words matter.

Over the years, through SHAC, workshops, TV shows and simply talking to so many of you, I’ve come to realise that creativity is rarely just about making a card or colouring a picture. It’s often about finding a moment of peace. A little breathing space. A reminder that we are still here, underneath all the busyness.

That is exactly what these cards are intended to be.

Tiny prompts.
Little anchors.
A moment of clarity.

Not grand declarations shouted from a mountain top. Just daily truths that help steady the ship a little.

The lovely thing is that this project became a real family and team effort too. It actually began with Grace, over in New York. She has a pretty healthy, balanced approach when it comes to handling drama, stress and sadness. Life, I think it’s called. I would like to think I taught her everything she knows – hahahaha – but that just isn’t so. She does yoga daily for starters. The only time I went to a yoga class, they woke me at the end of the session, fast asleep on the mat and dribbling! She journals. I have about a dozen journals on the go, which I have started at different points in my chaotic life – and can’t find one of them. She is the quintessential optimist – sometimes irritatingly so – but always infectiously positive. I love my daughter’s energy! If we could bottle it and sell it, we would fly!

Grace was the one who first got the ball rolling on this project. She started gathering together the affirmations and ideas that eventually became this little deck of encouragement. From there, the whole thing slowly evolved here at Clarity — words, floral designs on the backs, artwork, packaging, printing, the little oak stands Dave made… everybody added a little piece to the puzzle.

And somehow, those are always the projects that seem to carry the most heart.

We decided to include 31 affirmations in the first deck — one for every day of the month. A simple daily ritual. One card each morning. One quiet thought to carry with you through the day. Take a card from the top of the pile, or shuffle them, and let the universe guide you…I do.

Then, completely by accident, we discovered something rather wonderful. The thought popped into my head: I wonder what the number 31 symbolises.

Ready for this? Apparently, the number 31 symbolises creativity, joy, communication and new beginnings. It acts as a prompt to use artistic talents and practical planning to manifest goals and progress. Yep. Honestly. Look it up. We had no idea when we started! But once we found out, it felt so perfectly aligned with the spirit of the project that we simply looked at each other and laughed. Some things are just meant to be.

Angel Number 31:
It is seen as a sign from the universe to maintain optimism, trust your path,
and persist in your goals through dedicated action.

You can find the Daily Affirmation Cards here.

The funny thing is, the more we repeat certain thoughts, the more deeply they settle. We know this works negatively — goodness knows most of us have replayed worries often enough! I think we need another deck of cards with SHACisms! WORRY DOESN’T WORK would certainly be included! Anyway, I digress.

If we can shape our mindset downhill, it makes perfect sense that positive thoughts can also begin to reshape the atmosphere inside our heads.

Not overnight, but gradually, with little daily nudges.

I think that’s why so many people are drawn to affirmations. Not because they believe life will suddenly become perfect, but because hopeful words can help us approach life differently. More kindly. More calmly.

Jazz and I launched the cards on Friday, on Clarity Social TV, and the response has been — as you would anticipate — very positive! Which tells me there clearly is a need for them — and it makes me happy to think they might become a useful tool in your life.

Each card is a little pocket of encouragement. Something to keep by your bedside, on your desk, beside your crafting space or tucked into a handbag for difficult days. Gift the whole box to a friend who might benefit from a daily dose of positivity — or give a single card to a friend who maybe needs that particular message of love from you.

The backs of the cards are varied, beautiful original floral art too. Perfect for colouring in if you want to spend a quiet 10 minutes meditating and colouring.

I rather like the idea of beginning the morning by pulling out a card before even reaching for the phone. So that is what I am weaving into my daily rhythm. Before the emails. Before the news. Before the world starts shouting at us.

Just one quiet moment, with a cuppa, to check in with ourselves first.

Because perhaps that’s what we all need a little more of:
less pressure,
less comparison,
less doom-scrolling…

…and more reminders that we are human beings, not human doings, not machines.

As it happens, creativity and affirmations sit beautifully together. Both ask us to slow down. To pay attention. To notice. To make space for possibility instead of panic.

And if a few thoughtful words can help someone feel steadier, stronger or simply less alone for a moment, then I think that’s a very worthwhile thing indeed.

Here are a few of my own favourites at the moment:

“I trust the journey I am on”

“I am stronger than my worries”

“I give myself permission to pause”

And perhaps the most important one of all:

“I am enough.”

If these little cards speak to you, you can explore the Daily Affirmation Collection collection here.

Love always,
Barb x