When I moved to Australia in 2018 with my husband and daughter, I knew it would be a big change. But I didn’t anticipate how much adjusting I’d need to do—embracing a new culture, balancing life’s demands, and navigating unfamiliar spaces. Working full-time while juggling the demands of home life added to the challenge. Like many women, I found myself juggling more than ever. It was both exciting and overwhelming, and that’s when I leaned into something that had always fascinated me: the mind-body-spirit connection.
For years, I’ve believed in the interconnectedness of our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. But after our move, this fascination became essential. I needed a way to stay grounded amidst all the changes. Among the various practices I explored, it was the combination of breathwork and affirmations—two simple yet profound tools—that helped me find my footing and reconnect with myself.
I first came across affirmations thanks to a former manager, who was always a source of inspiration for me. She had a daily morning practice of affirming positive thoughts focused on what she wanted to manifest in her life. When I tried to use affirmations on my own, something was missing. I struggled with consistently practising them, and they didn’t resonate as deeply as I wanted them to.
What I did find easier to practice was breathwork, which has ancient origins, found in practices like qi gong and yoga’s pranayama. These modalities teach us that breath is not just for physical survival but a tool for balancing energy, calming the mind, and promoting healing. I came across an interesting practice of breathwork in a qi gong routine, where breath and movement are synchronized to circulate energy and restore balance. This inspired me to apply breathwork to affirmations, seeing it as a way to amplify their impact.
Then it hit me—just like with physical exercise, where we consciously use our breath to enhance movement, why not bring the same mindfulness to affirmations? I started pairing breathwork with my affirmations, and it clicked! The words felt more powerful, more present. By intentionally focusing on my breath, I could feel the affirmations settling deeper within me, transforming my inner dialogue from critical to compassionate.
What makes this practice unique is the two-part approach I take with my breath and affirmations. On the inhale, I focus on what I want to invite more of into my life—qualities like strength, calmness, or empowerment. On the exhale, I focus on releasing what I want to let go of—doubt, fear, or stress. This rhythmic flow mirrors the ebb and flow of life itself, reinforcing the balance between holding onto what empowers us and releasing what holds us back.
This combo of breathwork and affirmations helped me navigate moments of uncertainty, calm my inner critic, and strengthen my resilience. They reminded me that empowerment isn’t something distant or difficult—it’s something we can cultivate in the small moments, with just a little breath and intention. Whether you’re adjusting to major life changes and challenges, like I did when moving to a new country, or simply looking for more peace in your day-to-day, this combination of practices offers a profound way to reconnect with yourself.
And it doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress—taking a few mindful moments to breathe and affirm empowering thoughts. Breathwork encourages you to slow down and calm your nervous system, while affirmations help redirect your mindset. Together, they can nurture resilience, empowerment, and whatever you seek more of in your life.
Ultimately, the ability to shift your perspective and build inner strength is always within reach—all it may take is a pause, a breath and some encouraging words.
Deepti Makhija
Deepti is the founder of Breath * Affirm, a unique affirmations app currently in development that combines breathwork and affirmations. She migrated to Australia in 2018 with her husband and daughter and has always been fascinated by the mind-body-spirit connection. As a woman of colour carving her path in tech, she is passionate about creating tools that empower individuals to foster self-care, resilience, and inner strength.
