75 Positive Self-Esteem Boosting Affirmations for Teens

This post: 75 Positive Self-Esteem Boosting Affirmations for Teens

Co-Written by: Ali Flynn & Nancy Reynolds

As parents, we all want nothing more than to see our kids happy, to truly embrace who they are and have the confidence and true capabilities to attain their dreams all while finding it within themselves to rise above the pounding waves of negative feedback and self-talk that erodes their self-esteem. 

But the honest truth is, that’s not an easy thing to do when you’re a teenager or young adult trying to figure out who you are and where you fit into this world. 

That’s why we need to seize every opportunity to build our teens’ self-confidence, raise their self-esteem and remind them of how perfectly wonderful they really are. 

We can help our kids stay positive, surround them with a circle of positive energy and help inspire them by passing along these positive, self-esteem-boosting affirmations for teens.

What is a Positive Affirmation?

Positive affirmations are uplifting or inspiring thoughts, statements (or even quotes) our teens can tell themselves to boost their self-esteem and give them a positive perspective of themselves, their circumstances and the world around them. Affirmations can also help counter any negative thoughts our teens may have – and, we all know most teenagers engage in plenty of unhelpful or negative thoughts that can weigh them down.

Whether you send these uplifting affirmations and quotes to your teen in a text, put them on sticky notes and attach them to their bathroom mirror, simply remind them in conversation or pass along this post so they can read them when they need a lift, use these affirmations to empower your teen, help them stomp out negative self-talk and inspire them to be wiser, stronger, more resilient and, above all, happier. 

75 Positive Self-Esteem Boosting Affirmations for Teens

“Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start to believe in yourself, magic starts happening.” ~ Unknown

“Don’t be afraid of being different, be afraid of being the same as everyone else.” ~ Unknown

“There is no such thing as failure. Only lessons. Only detours. Only setbacks. Only stepping stones. Only opportunities to try again. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you fail. Failure is success in progress.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” ~ Anna Taylor

“You are enough. A thousand times enough.” ~ Unknown

“Don’t worry about what people say behind your back. They are the people who are finding faults in your life instead of fixing their own.” ~ Unknown

“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” ~ P.T. Barnum

“I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.” ~ Steve Jobs

“I’m doing the best I can… and that’s enough.” ~ Unknown

“Aim for the moon. If you miss you may hit a star.” ~ W.Clement Stone

“Life gives us choices. You either grab on with both hands and just go for it, or you sit on the sidelines.” ~ Unknown

“It is better to be yourself and have no friends than be like your friends and have no self.” ~ Unknown

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember…the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” ~ Henry Ford

“A single act of kindness can send ripples of healing.” ~ Unknown

“You were born to be real, not to be perfect.” ~ Unknown

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” ~ Oscar Wilde

“You can stumble and fall nine times. What matters is that you get up the tenth time.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“Don’t waste precious time trying to FIND yourself. Instead, spend your time CREATING yourself into the kind of person you’ll be proud of.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“Your best teacher is your last mistake.” ~ Unknown

“Success is not final; Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston Churchill

“Everyone you admire was once a beginner.” ~ Jack Butcher

“When people try to tell you who you are, don’t believe them.” ~ Maria Popova

“You can’t stop people from saying bad things about you. All you can do is prove them wrong.” ~ Unknown

“Don’t get sidetracked by those who aren’t on the right track. Don’t follow the crowd when it’s heading in the wrong direction. Don’t cave in and sacrifice who you are to fit in, be liked, or be accepted. Be your authentic self. Be brave. Be strong. Quirky, silly, flawed and beautiful. The world is waiting for you.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“Never apologize for being sensitive or emotional. Let it be a sign that you’ve got a big heart and aren’t afraid to let others see it. Showing your emotions is a sign of strength, not a weakness.” ~ Brigitte Nicole

“The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it. It’s not the skill, it’s the will.” ~ Unknown

“Life is too short. Too short to waste a single second with anyone who doesn’t appreciate and value you.” ~ Sarah Dessen

“You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor if you learn to accept the fact that not everyone is going to like you.” ~ Unknown

“You will never speak to anyone more than you speak to yourself in your head. Be Kind to yourself.” ~ Unknown

“I believe in my ability to get through tough times… they make me stronger.” ~ Unknown

“More people love me and care about me than I even realize.” ~ Unknown

“I’m not going to change so people will like me. I’m going to be myself so the right people like me.” ~ Unknown

“Pulling someone down will never help me reach the top. Instead, I’m holding a hand out to those climbing the ladder behind me.” ~ Unknown

“Remember that life is filled with ups and downs. Without the downs, the ups wouldn’t mean anything.” ~ Unknown

“Instead of feeling defeated or stuck or overwhelmed that I’m not where I want to be. I’m going to glance back over my shoulder and realize just how far I’ve come.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“I’m never going to let the haters, the doubters and the gossips stop me from doing my thing.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“Whoever is trying to bring you down, is already beneath you.” ~ Unknown

“My grades might be important, but what’s more important is that I treat others with kindness and speak up for those who can’t.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“I have to remember that not every friendship is meant to last and that’s okay. It’s more important to surround myself with the right friends at the right time in my life.” ~ Unknown

“I’m gonna love myself exactly as I am. No one said you had to.” ~ @OneMindfulLife

“And then one day she discovered that she was fierce and strong and full of fire and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.” ~ Unknown

“I don’t have space in my life for toxic people or toxic relationships. If it negatively impacts my mental health, I’m moving on.” ~ Unknown

“I’ll have good days and bad days, overwhelming days, too tired days, “I’m awesome” days and “I can’t go on” days. And every day, I’ll still show up.” ~ Tiny Buddha

“Beauty isn’t about having a pretty face. It’s about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart and a pretty soul.” ~ Michael Stutman

“My dream doesn’t have an expiration date. I’m going to take a deep breath and try again.” ~ Unknown

“Twenty years from now, I’ll be more disappointed by the things I didn’t do rather than the things I did. So, I’m going to join that club, try out for that team, talk to the cute guy or girl, and go on that adventure. The last thing I want in life is regrets.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” ~ Dr. Seuss

“You never know how the tough times you are going through today will inspire someone else tomorrow.” ~ Tim Tebow

“I’m going to make it happen and shock everyone.” ~ Unknown

“You cannot waste time standing in the same place year after year. Don’t say someday or sometime. That is the disease of inaction, a crippling fate where your dreams slowly fade. Your dreams are too important. There is nothing you can’t do. You are unstoppable. Go out there and dare to live your wildest dreams today.” ~ Brad Gast

“It’s okay to be a glowstick. Sometimes you have to break before you shine.” ~ Unknown

“Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent.” ~ Steve Martin

“My worth is not dependent on my actions. My value is not tied to my performance. Even if I accomplish nothing today… I’m still worthy and loved simply for being me.” ~ @SarahannDesigns

“I can do hard things because I am brave, I am smart, I am strong, I am capable, I am loved.” ~ Unknown

“I’m not perfect. I’ll never be. I’m going to make mistakes. It’s how I learn.” ~ Raising Teens Today

“I don’t need drugs or alcohol to feel good. I can still have fun without them.” ~ Unknown

“I don’t want to be controlled by comparing my life to others on social media. I see social media for what it is… sheer entertainment.” ~ Unknown

“I love myself.” ~ Raising Teens Today

Ali Flynn is excited to share with you the joys and hardships of motherhood with an open heart, laughter, and some tears. Ali is a monthly guest contributor for Westchester County Moms and has been seen on Filter Free Parents, Grown and Flown, Today Parents, The Mighty, Her View From Home, and His View From Home, where she shares inspirational stories about motherhood while keeping it real. You can also find her on Facebook or Instagram.

If you enjoyed reading, “75 Positive Self-Esteem Boosting Affirmations for Teens,” check out these other posts!

30 Quotes About Raising Teens that Will Tug at Your Heart

50 Quotes About Raising Daughters That Will Warm Your Heart