Hi, I’m Ken.
Founder of Text Affirmations
I built Text Affirmations because, man, were things getting hard during the pandemic. I needed something that could interrupt my thought spirals and help me to focus on the things that matter to me, and I knew that I couldn’t be the only one who needed this.
Where it started
I started off wanting to provide care for the caregivers. I don’t want to get too sappy, but in many ways, the pandemic broke me. I was laid off. My oldest friendships were going up in flames. My sweet dog Fermi passed away. And it had never really occurred to me that I’m often providing support without asking for any in return. I had led a relatively stable life up to that point, so it was easy and rewarding for me to support others. But when I started to collapse and need support myself, I found myself unbearably alone. It was probably a circumstance of the situation, but that knowledge wasn’t enough to help me.
I also knew that others had the same patterns. I’d seen colleagues and friends who spend so much energy caring for everyone else that they had nothing left for themselves. The caregivers, the strong friends, the ones who never burden you with their problems, while always lending a hand, an ear, or a shoulder to cry on.
So I set out to build something simple, but effective: a daily text message designed to interrupt my thoughts and get me to find gratitude, remind me of my strength, and prompt me with proven psychological techniques.
What it’s become
The early version was helpful, but since then, Text Affirmations has grown into something bigger. Now that we’re not all living in constant crisis mode, it’s evolved into a growth tool. But unlike apps and journals, this tool comes back to you even when you forget about it, and that is making all the difference.
Building habits is hard. Keeping your goals in sight is difficult when life constantly pulls you in so many directions. The fact is that remembering and doing the things you know are good for you is just really hard. But when it is texted to you, day after day, even if you ignore it, you eventually get that message that gets you back into it.
I’ve been using this product myself for over five years now. It has helped me focus on the light when I’m in the darkness. But it has also helped me go to the gym when I’m exhausted by my day. Those two things might sound different, but they come from the same place: having something that shows up for you, consistently, no matter what.
What I believe
Everyone deserves a coach. Someone to look out for them and help them keep focused on their goals. Coaching doesn’t have to be about big, lofty goals, though those are great too. Just a daily check in is what most of us need to keep moving in the direction that we want to go, step by step, one day at a time.
As the proverb goes: A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
A word on cost
It’s just me trying to make the world a little better. I’m the founder, developer, customer support, marketing, (and a user!)
I haven’t built this product around advertising or selling data (and I never will), which means I have to charge a subscription in order to keep the lights on. I know that some people expect a product like this to be free, but in truth, the annual cost of Text Affirmations is cheaper than a single session of therapy or a night out with friends. I’ve tried to make it accessible while also making it something that I can live off of.
I send you my best wishes, and hope that Text Affirmations helps you along in your journey!
-Ken