Journaling is a great self-care practice to follow to help you practice mindfulness and self-awareness. Answering discussion questions through journaling allows you to take a moment to separate yourself from everything to be sure what you are doing will enable you to achieve your dreams fully and maintain your needs. It allows you to unwind, destress, and look at things more objectively to improve and lead a better life.
Here are eight self-care questions to answer and evaluate to adjust your self-care plan and improve your life:
- “Do I Truly Feel Happy? Why or Why Not?”
Be honest and open and realize that only you know the truthful answer. The more honest you are about your feelings, the easier to find ways to improve them.
- “Do I Live Each Day More Positively or Negatively? Can I Do Better to Adjust My Daily Attitude?”
What factors contributed to your feelings today? What strategies can you develop to do better? Remember, don’t use this time to be harsh.
- “What Expectations Do I Set for Myself Daily?”
Are these expectations realistic, and where did they come from? Are they essential to achieving what you need? If not, what can you do to overcome them? Many expectations thrown in life are made out of reality and don’t need to be a part of your life to be successful.
- “Are There Changes I Want to Make and If So, Why?”
What are the things you can do to make these changes? Do these changes allow you to accomplish what you want? Again, make sure you are being realistic and are not making changes due to avoidance or trying to be someone you are not. You don’t have to achieve something just because the world is telling you to.
- “What Areas or Things in My Life Bring Me Those Most Joy?” “How Can I Do More of It?”
One way to build a happy life is through discovering new ways to do more of what makes you feel good and provides a sense of purpose. Can you change your career or monetize your passion?
- “What Self-Care Areas Do I Need to Improve and Why?” “What Things Can I Do in Each Category to Improve?”
Are you doing what you need to take care of all the categories in your life? What elements are you missing that are making you avoid it? How, when, and what can you do to find the balance?
- “What Is My Idea of Happiness and How Does Self-Care Help?”
Happiness is a variable. Your idea of happiness will be different than your neighbors or even your friends and loved ones. That is what makes life so unique and different. Be sure that each day you are intentionally going after your idea of happiness.
- “What Feelings or Apprehensions Am I Feeling the Most Right Now? “How Can I Use Self-Care to Ease These Feelings?”
What is holding you back or keeping you from doing the things you need to be happy? Can you find ways to avoid it or face it head-on to improve?
Take a moment to answer each of these questions every week or once a month. Choose a time to answer these questions that works best for you. Ensure that you are willing to be open and honest. The more sincere you are, the more helpful and useful journaling can be to your self-care plan. Take your answers and use them to adjust your self-care plan to improve each of the self-care categories in your life.