I used to be skeptical about affirmations. To me, they sounded like empty words repeated in the hope that somehow, magically, life would improve. But everything changed when I went through a traumatic experience and it changed my life forever.

It all started in March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and my life was never the same again. During this time, I slowly started to lose my sight. Each week, my vision became increasingly blurry and foggy, until eventually, I could only see shades of gray. At the age of 21, I developed cataracts in both eyes due to a steroid cream used to treat my eczema. The cream seeped into my eyes, causing cataracts that worsened rapidly over a few months.

As I was losing my sight, my mental state deteriorated. I emailed numerous doctors, desperately trying to secure an emergency appointment with a specialist, but no one would see me due to the lockdown. I remember finally booking an appointment and waiting at a local hospital. The halls were deserted, save for the occasional nurse rushing by. I waited for hours, only to be informed by an assistant that they had forgotten to see me. Overwhelmed, I burst into tears, expressing my fear of going blind. She reassured me that cataracts would not cause permanent blindness and that I would be okay, but I remained frantic, nervous, and filled with anxiety.

For nearly three months, I lived without vision, anxiously awaiting my surgery date. Each day, I spent alone in my bed, listening to videos looped for the sound of laughter and conversations. My significant other was a constant source of support, staying on calls with me to keep me company. However, I was often left alone with my thoughts, which grew increasingly negative. I questioned my future, my recovery, and even the worth of life itself. The negativity spiraled out of control, and I felt overwhelmed.

What ultimately helped me stay sane during this difficult period was shifting my thoughts from negative to positive. I learned to remain optimistic, light-hearted, and hopeful that I would be okay in the end. I believe I experienced a spiritual awakening, realizing that my thoughts had the power to change everything in my life. My thoughts shaped the way I saw myself, the world, and those around me, ultimately shaping my entire reality.

It might sound a bit far-fetched, and you might wonder how a few positive statements could make any difference. When you realize that you are the creator of your reality and that your thoughts and actions have the power to shape it, you start to make conscious decisions in your life. This awareness has the potential to change everything and your thoughts are the source.

Introducing Avra — A Free Daily Affirmation App

I started to use affirmations after my recovery in June 2020 and it helped me develop a resilient mindset that was capable of growth and positive change. Once I took charge of my life and after a few months of recovery, I moved out of my family home, landed a dream job, made more money than I ever had in my life, and so much more.

After burning out working in tech, I decided it was time to take a risk and create something of my own. I wanted to build a product that could truly make a difference — a tool that had transformed my life: affirmations. I felt that the current affirmation apps on the market fell short in meeting the needs of users who experienced a personal journey of growth.

I created Avra — Affirmations, a free personalized affirmation app and it’s available on iOS and Android. It’s a daily affirmation and reminder app where you can fully customize and receive your affirmations, connect with your favorite creators, and browse thousands of affirmations from the community.

Your first 5 affirmations are free and you can subscribe to access unlimited affirmations for $14.99 a year, that’s $1.24/month! As of June 2024, we’ve grown to over 1300 users worldwide and 4000 affirmations have been created by our users, we’re just getting started.

As the creator of Avra, I have a vision to positively impact the lives of people all over the world and my team is committed to this mission.

Today, affirmations are an integral part of my life. They’ve helped me through some of my darkest moments and have empowered me to become the best version of myself. If you’re skeptical like I was, I encourage you to give them a try. You never know, they just might change your life too.

Remember, affirmations aren’t about wishful thinking or denying reality. They’re about reshaping your mindset, empowering yourself, and creating a more positive and fulfilling life.

Read this blog on Medium.