The most important thing today

My sister is very good at giving presents, it's one of her many skills. One of her gifts to me was a Wellness Journal. What I particularly like about it is the daily prompts since I love structure and it seems less daunting than a blank page!

Once I had completed the journal a few times I found I was looking out for the things I knew 'it' (the journal) would ask me about in the evening - what am I going to eat that was nourishing?

Putting pen to paper does help me to solidify my thoughts. I find when I have been following prompts for a while though, I can run through the questions in my head if I haven't found the time or the paper to write.

I listened to a podcast in which Rangan Chatterjee recommends some brilliant prompts. I used these in a blank notebook for a while and even after I stopped, I still often find myself thinking 'What is the most important thing I have to do today?'

Often the answer is not the work meeting or the bill paying, (even though I probably do have to do those), it's listening actively to my friend on our walk to the gym, or turning up to the school gate with some patience.

I recently found a load of old notebooks I had used for various forms of journalling over the last 5-10 years. Some were holiday diaries, often recording our family dynamics and how I felt while away from 'it all' and getting some perspective. Some were survival notes from lockdown, a way of coping and psyching myself up for the next day! Some were intentionally noticing the good bits - a moment of joy, warmth, love, humour to keep.

So there's no set way to do it! I am reluctant to let go of those notebooks even though they are from a different time when I had different thoughts. But even if I lost them all, the practice of writing something down is something I will keep. It is grounding and I always feel a little better whether writing down something positive, or working through something more difficult.

Writing down your thoughts can give you the clarity you need to go through your days knowing, the answer to ‘what’s the most important thing?

Talking about what is important to you reveals your values. A life coach can help you draw out these values and once identified, you can use them for decision making and to make sure the goals you are setting for yourself are aligned.

How can journalling help you? From bedding in healthy practices to living your life aligned to your values. Give it a go, and if you already do - tell me in the comments how it helps you.