JOURNALING DAY 1 - DAY 5
I talked about getting into better habits and one of them was starting a nightly 21 day journaling routine! I read somewhere that it takes 21 days to form a habit… but apparently that’s a myth (?) Anyway, I’m going to try to see this through. I’m NOT a morning person - never have been, never will be. I enjoy writing before bed because I feel like it lands in my subconscious mind easier than in the morning when I’m always rushing around. I shared some of my responses with friends, who enjoyed them, so I’m going to post them here as well. I’ve freed up a lot of time by stepping away from social media and my mind is bubbling with ideas. It’s so interesting how different prompts unlock certain things. This has really been healing and so far Day 5 Prompt is my favorite. While the prompts are AI generated these are my original thoughts and feelings ✨
DAY 1 ➡️ What is causing me to step back right now and what do I hope to reconnect with in myself during this time away from social media?
I find social media to be really draining a lot of the time. It’s become nothing but bad news, a popularity contest, and something that feeds the “Am I good enough? Am I behind in life?” thinking/questioning. For someone like me, who likes to share my life and energy, it can create surface-level dynamics and interactions. I’m someone who needs and appreciates authenticity. I genuinely want to connect with others and deepen bonds. I’m hoping to reconnect with more of my grounded sense of self. The part of me that doesn’t care about “showing up” online. The peaceful, slower moments side of me. Sometimes I feel like I need to post. Why… I don’t know?! It’s just what everyone does now but I’ve also spent months to years away from social media. I truly want to create better habits and I’ve already started.
DAY 2 ➡️ Name subtle signs from the last 48-hours that you were safe, seen, or genuinely valued - a boundary you kept, a need you voiced, an instinct you trusted.
Something that made me feel seen was someone I had a connection with forever ago (10 years) reached out asking about my most-recent aura photograph. I’m all about energy so this mad me feel understood. I think my instinct for needing firmer boundaries and voicing a need go hand-in-hand. In my client-facing profession I experience certain conversations/situations and one of them was about my personal life. I politely mentioned I wouldn’t be discussing the details of my personal life with this person. I also protect the very little time I have to myself at this job by blocking off my calendar at certain times and not overextending myself (while still getting the job done).
DAY 3 ➡️ Where in your life does stillness feel uncomfortable and what might that space be trying to teach you before you rush to fill it?
Currently, the stillness in my love life feels uncomfortable. In the past 1 year and 3 months I’ve been single I’ve met guys but I didn’t want to see them again. The 3 things I ask myself if/when I date: Does this person light me up? Will I regret not seeing them again? Can I envision them in my space? If the answer is NO to 1/3 things it usually ends up being a NO across the board. I’m no stranger to being single. I’m used to it and have been for most of my life (aside from my 3 year relationship). I think stillness can be a teacher in self-worth, patience, and reflection. It asks you to trust the in-between and that isn’t easy. You kind of just have to wait and not lose hope because some things can’t be rushed.
DAY 4: Where in your life are you beginning to trust your own rhythm instead of rushing to meet someone else’s pace?
I trust my intuition and my instincts but trusting my life’s rhythm and pace… I’ve always felt a little behind - love, career, who I am and what I want to be in this confusing world. It’s always felt like other people are “on track” and I’m aimlessly trying to find my way. I will say, though… I think a lot of people aren’t living authentically in the sense that they feel bound by other people’s perceptions/expectations of them. I live for myself even if I don’t have it all figured out. I also don’t pretend to. I don’t pretend to be perfect or pretend to be happy when I’m not. I don’t force things and I’m going to show up as me (love me or hate me). I think all of this ties into the concept of not “settling.” My life, rhythm, pace… while I don’t understand it, I honor it and I’m not going to force myself into situations that don’t feel fulfilling or aligned.
DAY 5 ➡️ Where in your life are you being invited to slow down, shed, or soften - the way autumn does before it blooms again?
I’m sensitive to seasonal shifts and naturally slow down in the colder months. I tend to turn inward, reflect, and even heal vs. the more go-go-go fiery, exuberance I feel in the Spring and Summer especially. I’m not a morning person so my nighttime routine and beauty/self-care rituals reflect this, which includes journaling. If I had to pick a real world example it’d be not responding to texts immediately but when I have the energy/space for it (still within a timely and respectful manner). I’m shedding a lot of things - mainly beliefs (that might need to be its own prompt). I consider myself a soft, nurturing, feminine woman but oftentimes I direct that softness toward others and not myself. I think I do this because I know what it’s like to not feel seen, heard, understood, or valued and I don’t want others to feel that way. Lately I’ve been pouring into myself and realized I don’t ALWAYS have to be strong - despite societal expectations. I deserve softness too and it starts with me. It comes from within.
