Art + Design + I Want This

Affirmations that don’t make me want to puke.

It would be a bit of an understatement to say that I tend to lean toward the cynical side of things. I’m a world-champion eye-roller, and nothing gets a heavier sigh of annoyance out of me than a friend posting an “uplifting” status update on Facebook. Positive messages often make me suspicious. That said, even my crabby self finds some affirmational messages inspiring (yes, I just used the “i” word). I love all of these! Enjoy, and remember to HANG IN THERE!


Wasted Rita
I Am Human and I Need Money Just Like Everybody Else Does print
The More I Know People print

Even before I saw these two Smiths-inspired prints from Wasted Rita (the work of artist Rita Gomes), I knew she was my kind of human. Her affirmations are anti-affirmative and pessimistic—as well as totally validating and genuinely uplifting in their honest negativity…much like a certain singer I like a whole lot.


Lisa Congdon
Magic Happens print
Everything Is Going to Be Okay notebook

Pretty much everything in Lisa Congdon’s 365 Days of Hand-Lettering project is an affirmation that doesn’t make me want to puke, actually! Lisa just introduced these little notebooks today, and I’m smitten. I’m on a lifelong quest for OK-ness, after all.


Secret Holiday & Co.
It’s OK banner
YES banner

I’ve had Ashley & Justin Brown Durand’s It’s OK banner hanging in my apartment(s) for a couple of years now, and it makes me feel good (or at least OK, which is good enough for me) every day. In the new place I have it right on the inside of the door, so it’s the last thing I see before heading out into the world.


Shanna Murray
Spring Laurel & Be Brave wall decals
You’re Tops wall decal

Shanna Murray is the rare exception to my usual rule about wall decals—that rule being “not in my house.” I don’t think there’s anything in Shanna’s shop that I wouldn’t happily put on my walls! I bought a “You’re Tops” greeting card for Evan last Valentine’s Day, and I think the wall version makes a really surprise present for a sweetie.

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14 Comments

  • Reply Laura December 6, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    Yes! I don’t mind the messages in meme’s, except that they usually have horrible typography. Yay for nice lettering!

  • Reply emily g December 6, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    Dude – the *instant* I saw the ‘I Am Human and I Need Money Just Like Everybody Else Does’ print, all I could think was, ‘please let her sell a t-shirt with that print!!’ And she does! I now know where my Christmas check from Grandma is going. Working for free is still sadly a big part of the culture in my field (architecture), and while the attitude gets carried all the way the top, it’s the youngest members of the profession who get cannibalized and default on their student loans. It’s sickening, and this is such a perfect, succinct expression of everything that’s wrong with the starving-artist culture of design.

    Now, the question is…. how much trouble will I be in if I wear this shirt to work? 🙂

  • Reply Vanessa December 7, 2012 at 12:44 am

    Yes! All of these designers are great in my book.

  • Reply Simone December 7, 2012 at 8:43 am

    Read this, then saw this:
    Thought you might like it.
    I really like the new design, especially the new header.
    Have a wonderful weekend!!!

  • Reply Kim @ Yellow Brick Home December 7, 2012 at 9:10 am

    I love simple, reliable affirmations, too. This has always been one of my favorites, just like yours! It’s from Row Boat Press: http://www.rowboatpress.com/collections/textprints/products/everything-is-going-to-be-okay

    But if you’re feeling extra salty, there printsults are pretty funny! http://www.rowboatpress.com/collections/printsults

  • Reply amber December 7, 2012 at 9:28 am

    I totally understand the affirmation puke-factor you’re talking about, so I love this collection. The first print reminds of the ‘Freelance doesn’t mean “free”‘ print that I so love… being a freelance writer and all. Hip hip hooray.

  • Reply Jo December 7, 2012 at 9:47 am

    HA! Love it. Especially the Smiths quote. Oh, so true. (from a fellow cynical, champion eye roller… for me, it’s just part of being British I think).

  • Reply Laura December 7, 2012 at 10:04 am

    I, too, lean towards the cynical, and I love ALL of these! Thanks for posting!

  • Reply laura December 7, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Yes! Same!! Any reference to The Smiths makes my heart ache a hell of a lot more than sickly affirmations.xx 🙂

  • Reply coral December 7, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    Back when I was in an unhappy job, my husband started saying not “Have a good day” but “Have a day!” while we headed out to work. It reminded me that 1. I could at least to try to have a good day 2. even if it was bad it was only 1 day and I could start over tomorrow. It’s now totally my favorite saying and I would not mind it in banner form.

  • Reply Kari December 7, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    God, this sounds like something I could have written. I HATE all of those “inspirational” facebook statuses. Seriously makes me want to vomit. Love the IT”S OK banner.

  • Reply Flora December 7, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    I love Shanna’s decals and cards. And the first prints are perfect. Thanks Anna! And loved the hang in there 🙂

  • Reply Sean December 16, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    the worst is when my mother posts affirmations on FB…but The Smiths quotes are just great!

  • Reply Diana March 13, 2017 at 2:07 pm

    My grumbly self would mutter No Exhortations! And hit unfollow on early days Pinterest, so this post made me smile!

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