Ashley Graham has spent much of her career being held up as a symbol of body confidence, but she is quick to point out that confidence is not something she simply has and keeps. In a recent interview tied to her children's book, A Kid's Book About Beauty, the model laid out the actual daily habits behind the image, treating self assurance less like a fixed trait and more like a routine she has to maintain.
Affirmations as routine maintenance
Graham said she repeats a short set of affirmations daily, phrases like being bold, brilliant, and beautiful, and compares the habit to something as basic as brushing her teeth. She developed the practice to talk back to her own doubts, including ones tied to being bold in her career, navigating ADD and dyslexia, and pushing back against beauty standards the fashion industry tried to hand her early on.
Catching negative talk in real time
At home, she and her husband use what she calls corrective verbal behavior with their three sons, correcting negative self talk the moment it comes up rather than saving it for a bigger conversation later. The emphasis in that household lands on creativity and intellect first, with appearance treated as far less important.
Three more habits, all fairly simple
Graham also pushed back on the idea that bodies should follow trends, arguing that her body has always simply been a norm rather than a look to chase or abandon. She has stepped away from social media at points, pointing to the mental toll of constant exposure to other people's opinions. Her final piece of advice was the most practical of the five: wear a bra that actually fits, since something that basic still shapes how she feels the moment she gets dressed each day.