What is self-reflection?
Giving yourself time and space to think about or reflect on your attitudes, actions and thoughts. You can identify and set yourself goals that will help you achieve what means the most to you. Areas where you’d like to change your ways can be highlighted too. You’ll recognise areas of personal growth and grow further still over time.
How journaling can help
Lots of us struggle trying to find time to do things. A journal is an easy and efficient way of making self-reflection a priority. We can use it to note our inner thoughts and feelings as well as any achievements or goals. Taking time out to put pen to paper will kick start your journey to exploring your inner most hopes and desires, a journey that can lead to optimal wellbeing.
Some prompts for self-reflection and journaling include asking ourselves:
- What are my greatest successes?
- What could I have done better?
- What are my happy moments?
- What are the areas of my life I wish to improve?
- What do I need to let go of?
- What do I want to achieve?
- How am I going to achieve the things I want?
- What is the meaning of happiness for me?
- What creative ideas do I have?
- What relationships would I like to strengthen?
- What relationships are negative in my life?
- Have I done enough exercise to help my mental health?
- What exercises could I start doing to improve my wellbeing?
- What are my personal strengths?
- What are my personal weaknesses?
Self-reflection can also encompass self-care, so show yourself some love in your journal. Write down some personal affirmations, these are positive statements such as ‘I am worthy of love and acceptance’ or ‘I have all I need to achieve my weight loss goals’.
Self-reflection can give you the clarity to identify your triggers for good and for bad. It can help identify and break any habits that are holding you back and help you embrace life with a new focus and confidence in what you want from it. Sure, journalling might not be for you, but it’s surely worth a shot.
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