JOURNALING DAY 6-10
While the prompts are AI generated these are my original thoughts and feelings ✨
DAY 6 ➡️ What beliefs about yourself or the world are you ready to release — the ones that once protected you but now feel too tight to grow within?
Right now I’m doing a lot of thinking about strength and what it truly means to be strong. I’ve spent a lot of my life presenting to the world that “OK” even when I wasn’t. I’ve learned that there is strength in sensitivity and vulnerability in all aspects of life. To open up, to change course/direction (again), to take a risk not knowing if it will work out. Speaking up for myself is also a form of strength. Softness can coexist with strength and I’d like to embrace that more — being softer, more understanding, and more forgiving with myself. As for the world and overall mindset it definitely highlights the importance of taking care of myself before anyone else. As much as I’d like to believe people are inherently good, that hope is being challenged daily. I’m someone who thinks about others but an alarming amount of the time it’s best to just focus on yourself: mind, body, spirit, soul… then figure out how to help and support others. I’m learning that boundaries and self-preservation are incredibly important.
DAY 7 ➡️ Private 🔏
DAY 8 ➡️ What forms of expression — writing, cooking, movement, beauty, or something else — make you feel most like you lately?
For most of my life I didn’t enjoy cooking because it felt like such a task and a drag — especially after work and having an inconsistent schedule. Over the past few years I’ve started to view cooking as a creative outlet. Maybe not outlet… but activity. Learning to eyeball measurements and see which spices harmonize (and which one’s don’t). I try to feel a sense of gratitude while making grocery lists and going grocery shopping because some people struggle with food insecurity, and it’s a blessing to have enough money to buy groceries. The 2 weeks between being laid off and starting my new job allowed me to focus on art — fluid art. It’s something I first heard about and tried during the pandemic, and I instantly fell in love. Abstract is my favorite because I feel like it speaks to the subconscious mind and also the mood/vide/energy of a piece. Some really cosmic and beautiful things have appeared in my fluid art and people have encouraged me to sell my pieces. I can’t part with them, though. At least, not yet. If I’m really dreaming I would LOVE to showcase my art at a lowkey local gallery or something. I’m right-brain dominant which is why I pursued the arts (classically trained pianist as a child). It’s a language of its own and one I understand on a soul level.
DAY 9 ➡️ Where in your life are you learning that protecting your peace doesn’t mean closing off love and how can your boundaries become a quiet act of self-respect this seasons?
I didn’t grow up witnessing what healthy boundaries looked like and I struggled to put them in place when I was younger. Boundaries are meant to protect you but not turn you into a fortress. They aren’t meant to lock love out but also being too available and accessible can drain your energy. Viewing love as both platonic and romantic and considering friendships and relationships… having boundaries makes you more discerning. It creates space for others to “meet you” where you are. It highlights who and what is reciprocal in your life vs. what isn’t. Boundaries aren’t tests, ultimatums, or ways to illicit reactions. It’s to help honor and protect yourself. I’ve had many reality checks over this past year about what’s working, what isn’t, where I need to show up more, and where I should fall back. I think as long as, at the end of the day, you can sit with yourself and feel a sense of self-respect and “I’m doing what’s best for me” that’s a win. But, sometimes boundaries can lead to isolation and feeling really closed off. I’m still trying to find the balance between being vulnerable and maybe a little too closed off, but I try to keep my heart open.
DAY 10 ➡️ What does “feeling at ease” in your own company look and feel like for you right now?
I’m BIG on rest. I was raised by a Marine dad in a “you always need to be productive” family. Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely enjoy working and what I do. That being said, I don’t always want to be doing things 24/7. To be able to rest intentionally and consistently is a blessing and this is something my ancestors didn’t experience. So, rest is a priority, however I’m always going to show up for the big moments for friends and family. I love my morning coffee, a good book, tv show, and cooking my favorite meal. There’s a difference between being alone and feeling lonely. I think feeling at home, ease, and peaceful with yourself comes from not needing external validation. I think understanding and “owning” who you are, flaws and all, creates that comfortability and strong sense of self. This isn’t to say self-work shouldn’t be done, but having a healthy perception of yourself is key. So WHAT if someone/people don’t like you. Remaining authentic and true to yourself is important. Feeling at ease with yourself is a work in progress and lifelong journey. At the end of the day when you lay your head down and can say “I like myself and I try my best” that is more than most.
