The Power of Checking In With Yourself: Three Simple Journal Prompts for Emotional Wellbeing
As we head towards the end of another year, I've been reflecting on just how quickly time seems to fly by and how easy it is to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life without taking a moment to check in with ourselves.
It's very normal when things are going well to forget to check in with ourselves and to reach out to the services and practices that keep us in a good mental and emotional space.
It's also common to hit tricky patches and try to push through on our own, only to hit burnout and realise that perhaps we needed some support a little earlier.
I see this often in my work as a Counsellor and Kinesiologist, and it's something I'm mindful of in my own life too.
The truth is, we don't need to wait until things feel overwhelming to prioritise our emotional wellbeing.
When Did You Last Check In With Yourself?
Wherever you're at today, I'd love to invite you to take a moment to do a mini check-in.
How is the year going for you?
What do you need more or less of at the moment?
How would you like the remainder of the year to feel?
These might seem like simple questions, but when was the last time you really sat down and gave yourself the space to reflect on them?
Sometimes we're so focused on what needs to be done, where we need to be and what everyone else needs from us that we forget to ask ourselves what we actually need.
Self-reflection is something I'm incredibly passionate about, both personally and professionally. Developing greater awareness of our thoughts, emotions and behaviours gives us the opportunity to make more conscious choices about how we respond to life's challenges.
The Power of Morning Journalling and Intention Setting
I'm a huge believer in intention setting, and I notice the difference in myself when I skip my morning journal time with my English Breakfast tea.
My morning routine involves sitting down, taking stock of where I'm at emotionally and setting my goals and intentions for the day.
Of course, there are plenty of days when those goals get shifted around throughout the week. Life happens!
But the process of sitting down and taking stock before the rest of the day begins is incredibly powerful. It helps me get my head into the right frame of mind and creates a little space between waking up and jumping straight into everything that needs my attention.
For me, journalling isn't about writing pages and pages or having everything figured out. It's about creating a few minutes of awareness and connection with myself.
And sometimes, that's all we need to shift how we approach the day.
Three Morning Journal Questions That Take Just a Few Minutes
If you're not already in the habit of journaling, these are three simple questions you can start with.
Make yourself a cup of tea, take a slow breath, relax your shoulders and give yourself a few minutes to reflect.
1. What am I grateful for today?
Connect into your heart and really allow yourself to feel the gratitude rather than simply writing down a list of things you think you should be grateful for.
It might be something big, or it might be the smallest moment that brought you joy.
I'm a big believer in the power of gratitude and how it can shift our perspective and help us recognise the good that is already present in our lives.
2. What emotional weather am I experiencing today?
I love this question because it invites us to acknowledge what's really going on rather than forcing ourselves into positivity.
Are you feeling tired, restless, overwhelmed, hopeful, content or perhaps a little flat?
There is no right or wrong answer.
Every emotion carries valuable information about what we might need, and when we learn to acknowledge our feelings rather than push them away, we can begin to understand ourselves on a deeper level.
You don't need to fix or change how you're feeling immediately. Sometimes simply acknowledging what's present is enough.
3. What is one small kindness I can offer myself today?
I often remind my clients that meaningful change doesn't always come from making big, dramatic decisions. Sometimes it's the small things we do consistently that make the greatest difference.
Perhaps today it's stepping outside for some fresh air, enjoying your morning tea without multitasking, setting a boundary, going to bed a little earlier or making time to unpack something that has been weighing heavily on you.
What is one small thing you could do today that would support your emotional wellbeing?
You Don't Need to Wait Until You're Burnt Out
One of the things I love most about my work is helping people develop a greater understanding of themselves, their emotional patterns and what they need to feel more balanced.
Whether that's through counselling, kinesiology, journalling, mindfulness or simply creating more space for self-reflection, there are so many ways we can support our mental and emotional wellbeing.
And while it's wonderful to reach out for support when we're struggling, I also believe there's enormous value in maintaining the practices and connections that help us feel good in the first place.
So wherever you're at today, I hope you take a little time for yourself.
Not because there's something wrong that needs fixing, but because your emotional wellbeing deserves attention even when life is going well.
And if it's been a while since you've had the opportunity to check in with yourself, perhaps today is a good day to start.
With gratitude,
Julz x
I'm Julia Poppleton, Counsellor and Kinesiologist at Feel it to Heal it, offering Counselling and Kinesiology appointments in Chelsea and Black Rock, Melbourne.
If you're feeling ready to reconnect with yourself, explore emotional patterns or simply create some space for your own wellbeing, I'd love to support you.
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