Quiet the Inner Critic: 5 Affirmations Every Adult with Immigrant Parents Needs

Welcome adult with immigrant parents!

I’m so glad you’ve landed on this post. Today, I’m diving into six affirmations that are especially meaningful for adults with immigrant parents — and I’ll be sharing why I chose each one, how they relate to our lived experiences, and how they can support your growth and self-compassion.

These aren’t just feel-good phrases. They’re reminders to carry with you — to ground yourself when things get tough, to help you navigate guilt or pressure, and to remind yourself (or a friend) of the truth: you are already enough.

Let’s explore these affirmations together — and why they matter so much, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed, unseen, or not “good enough.”

Affirmation #1:
I am doing the best that I can.

You are doing the best that you can. We really are just doing the best we can, right?

There’s often so much pressure to have a perfect response, to know all the answers, to have everything figured out — especially if you have immigrant parents who may depend on you for different things: translations, research, driving, emotional support, handling healthcare stuff, and more.

For example, for me — naturally, being born and educated in the U.S. — I’m going to know more English than my mom. So if I see her needing help, like at school events or with paperwork, I naturally want to help her understand what’s going on, keep her in the loop, and make sure she feels included.

And honestly, sometimes I don’t do an amazing job. I don’t know tax terms in Vietnamese. I barely understand technical healthcare terms even in English!

But the point is: I am doing the best that I can.

And "the best I can" depends on the day and the moment.

If I barely slept the night before because of a work project, and then have to wake up early to help my parents with something complicated, of course I'm not going to be at 100%. But even then — showing up at all, offering support in whatever capacity I can — that is enough.

This is so important to remember because the expectations placed on you as an adult with immigrant parents can be heavy. And when stressful situations pile up, it's easy to beat yourself up.

I hope you can remember: you are doing the best you can, given the circumstances — and that is more than enough.

Affirmation #2:
My parents, my family, and others are doing the best that they can.

Since we know we’re doing the best we can, the same goes for others — including our parents.

They’re doing the best they can with what they have, too.

We may not always know what’s impacting their mood or efforts, just like they may not fully understand what’s impacting ours. But generally, most people are trying in their own way.

And just like us, how they’re doing can change by the hour. If I just sat in traffic for 90 minutes, I’m probably not going to be in the best mood either — and the same is true for anyone else.

Recognizing that others are also doing the best they can helps us offer them more grace.

And most importantly, it helps us practice giving grace to ourselves.

Affirmation #3:
Just because someone doesn’t agree with me doesn’t mean I am wrong.

Everyone has different perspectives.

Not everyone will agree with us — and that’s okay.

Sometimes people will disagree nicely and respectfully. Other times, not so much. But even if someone says you’re wrong, that doesn’t automatically make you wrong.

We form our perspectives based on our own experiences, knowledge, and feelings.

For example, imagine losing your phone. One person might say, "Oh no, that’s so stressful and expensive to replace." Another might say, "Yay, now you get to buy a new phone!"

Same event, two totally different reactions. Neither person is "wrong" — they just see it differently.

This is especially important for adults with immigrant parents because communication styles in some families can be more direct, less validating, or influenced by language barriers. Sometimes the intent is loving, but it may not feel very validating.

Also, two important reminders:

• People often jump into "solution mode," trying to make you feel better by focusing on positives — but it can feel like your real feelings are being dismissed.

• We cannot control how others respond — only how we honor our own emotions.

Affirmation #4:
I am great just as I am.

We are often our own worst critics.

Especially as adults with immigrant parents, it can feel like we need to "do" more to "be" enough — but you are already enough.

It's easy to tie our worth to how much we help others or how much we accomplish.

I personally struggled with this for a long time — believing that if I wasn’t constantly helping others, I was a bad person.

But that’s simply not true.

You are valuable simply because you exist.

Yes, achievements are wonderful — but they don’t define your worth.

Affirmation #5:
I am doing enough.

This ties into the last point: Whether you’re doing a little or a lot, you are doing enough.

You’re showing up with what you have — time, energy, capacity — and that’s enough.

Progress isn’t always measured in visible accomplishments.

There’s emotional and mental growth happening, even if it’s not immediately obvious.

Remind yourself: you are doing enough right now.

BONUS! Affirmation #6:
I am enough.

This affirmation ties all the others together.

No matter what — you are enough.

Yes, we can work toward growth and new goals, but at the same time, we are good enough as we are now.

Holding that balance — between wanting more and knowing we are already enough — is important.

And for adults with immigrant parents, it’s especially powerful.

Sometimes we tie our happiness to how our families are doing. I used to feel guilty traveling because I felt like it was unfair when my parents couldn’t travel as easily.

But both things can be true: I can enjoy my experiences, and still hold space for their experiences too.

You are enough, just as you are.

Quick Disclaimer:

Just a reminder: all information shared here is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
Although I am a licensed therapist, I am not your personal therapist.
If you are seeking mental health or medical support, please reach out to providers in your area for individualized services. This content is not meant to replace any medical or mental health advice.

I hope you found these affirmations helpful, join my email community for more tips and reminders like these.