Happy July 1st! We've officially entered the second half of 2024. Take a deep breath right now as you take in whatever that means for you. Whether you're at work or lying in bed as you read this, I encourage you to take time out of your day to practice intentionality and jot your thoughts down (you might even need more than one day). Make it your own sacred time - reflection is always worth it.
Here are some starting questions, broken down by category, to guide your reflection:
Petals and Thorns:
Seems fitting for a general overview...
What were the petals of these past six months? The things that were new? The things that made you smile, laugh, wonder, and experience awe?
What were the thorns of these past six months? The things that made you cry, scream, rage, hurt, bend, and break?
What is your relationship with understanding that life is filled with both petals and thorns? How openly do you embrace the inevitability of them both?
Relationship Conflict
Think about someone you have unresolved conflict with. Perhaps when this person comes to mind, the hurt feels like a thousand paper cuts, so minor yet not at all. Or, this hurt is like the elephant in the room that has led to silence and avoidance.
For those wanting reconciliation:
Who is this person you haven't reconciled with yet? Are there apologies that have not yet been given? If so, what is stopping you from apologizing?
Conflict is often not one-sided. What was your contribution to the conflict? What is your greatest obstacle to practicing self-accountability?
What is a tangible step you can take to seek communication and reconciliation? Note that this will likely require humility and risk-taking, but it is worth it when reconciliation is the goal.
For those struggling to move past a relationship that has already run its course:
What is keeping you from letting go of this relationship?
It's often said that attachment is the root of suffering. What would help release this attachment? Are there apologies that need to be made? Last conversations that need to be held? Photos/texts that need to be deleted? If so, what is stopping you from taking the step?
What is something you valued in this relationship? How can you build or find it in other relationships that you still wish to have in your life?
Fill in the Blank
Your responses to these following questions likely reveal your greatest values, priorities, and desires. Lean into them and let your own answers inform what steps you might need to take.
What breaks my heart is when:
If I could write a book about any topic, it would be about:
If my appearance didn't matter, I would:
These are three words I'd use to describe my most authentic self:
Even on days when I'm tired, I'd stay up to:
If money weren't an issue, I would:
If I could tell a five-year-old child something, it would be:
I'm scared of others finding out that:
My greatest hope for myself is:
This is a quality I love most about others:
Your Body is Your Friend
Do yourself a favor and toss out the goals you have to lose X pounds or eat Y calories a day. We can set health-oriented goals that have nothing to do with aesthetic or appearance. We often sacrifice our mental well-being and our ability to be the most authentic versions of ourselves when our top priority is molding into society's standard of what is considered beautiful.
List ten things your body has allowed you to accomplish these past six months.
When is a moment you were unkind to your body these past six months? What were the motivations or circumstances leading up to this unkindness, and what do they reveal?
We frequently inflict violence and hatred towards our own bodies, because there are other emotions that we have a hard time wrestling with. What emotions are you distracting, running away, or numbing yourself from every time you restrict, over-exercise, purge, or binge?
What would you tell a five-year-old child who says they are restricting, over-exercising, purging, or bingeing? Can you say those same kind words to yourself? :)
What influences are you allowing into your life? Consider social media, magazines, TV, or even music. What boundaries do you need to make to protect your mind from unhealthy influences?
Goal-Setting
Think about 2-3 goals you had in mind at the start of the year. Maybe you don't even remember them anymore, which is so valid! Take some time now to think about which direction you'd like to move towards as we enter the second half of the year.
Persisting: What is one goal you want to persevere in? Why is it personally meaningful? (Try to focus on one goal, so you can be especially intentional when building habits to reach it.)
Listening with empathy: Have you sought out conversations with different-minded people these past six months? In disagreement, have you listened with the intentions to respond or with the intentions to listen and understand?
Learning: In your career or school work, choose 1-2 specific goals you wish to achieve. What habits will allow you to achieve them? What are boundaries you need to set with co-workers or classmates so you can reach those goals with precision, efficiency, and excellence?
Practicing wonder and awe: Have you sought out moments of stillness and mindfulness? The world often hurries by when we don't stop to breathe. What is one thing you can practice daily or weekly to welcome mindfulness? (Ideas: yoga, hiking, walking, reading, praying, journaling)
Risk-taking: Think about the most important 1-2 things you wanted to achieve in January. Working towards goals will always take some kind of risk. What is the risk you need to take? What is stopping you?
Moving forward...
Based on my answers above, I realized that:
Considering what lies ahead, it's important that I prioritize:
This is someone who I think could keep me accountable in living more purposefully and authentically:
I hope these reflection questions allow us to live the second half of 2024 with intentionality. Take time now to read through your answers, and don't forget to come back to them ever so often.
If you liked them, share these questions with your friends, loved ones, and/or colleagues!
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