Journal Prompts for a Sweet Summer

 

Summertime is often considered an ideal time to refresh mind, body, and spirit and using the journal prompts listed below may help you do just that. 

Journal writing can shift perceptions, alter actions, and encourage improved self-care for increased life satisfaction and joy.

 

Journal Prompts for a Sweet Summer

1. Repurpose or purchase a notebook or journal and pen. Commit to reserving time each week to journal. Then make a decision not to sensor writing and allow words to rip! For additional journal writing tips read "Tips to Recharge on Your Lunch Break" now.

2. Write about a summer adventure you’d like to experience. It doesn't have to be an expensive outing. Be creative and list things that you think or sense will bring simple pleasure. Read "Budget Friendly Activities to Inspire Joy" for ideas.

3. What books are on your summer reading list? Jot down the titles of books you think you'd like to read this summer. Check with your local library about availability and reserve at least one book today.

4. Reflect on a childhood summer memory and write about it. 

5. Describe a summer festival or event you’d like to participate in.

6. Describe a place you want to visit this summer.

7. What five things are at the top of your summer bucket list? Jot them down or list them and then describe them in detail.

8. Write about a time you overcame a fear, and how it made you feel.

9. Have you developed any summer traditions and what are they?

10. Write about your favorite summer outfit and why you love it.

11. What's the most important thing you would like to do this summer?


12. What foods and drinks do you find refreshing during the summer and do you prepare them often? The picture below shows a healthy and tasty fruit infused water. Stay hydrated and sip it as you journal write.

Quench thirst as you sip a glass of strawberry/mint flavored water and journal away

13. Do you try to select and prepare fresh in-season fruits and vegetables over those that come from distant lands or are out of season? Explain.

14. What is your favorite summer sport and why?

15. Are you willing to reserve a few moments during the day to meditate, pray, and/or engage in activities including yoga, tai chi, deep breathing exercises, or a body scan? All are great ways to turn over cares and unwind. Do you agree or disagree and why?

16. Summer can be a season of self-discovery and personal growth. Describe a time you worked hard for something and it paid off.

17. Write about something you love about yourself.

18. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be and why? Share that.

19. Go for a walk on a sunny, cloudy, or rainy day. When you get home, write about interesting things you noticed on your trip.

20. What color or colors remind you of summer and do you wear clothing in those hues? Why or why not? See "Tips to Help You Use Cool Spring and Summer Colors" for inspiration.

21. List ideas to help you plan a summer picnic, barbeque, potluck, or brunch for work associates, friends, or family. Can you keep arrangements simple and fun? If you want to assemble a delicious yet easy meal, here's a recipe for coleslaw to start you off.

22. Do you enjoy being outside in the summer? Please explain.

Release anxiety and worry through journal writing, and turn on the relaxtion process by being outdoors

23. What does the word vacation mean to you?

24. Write about someone you care about and schedule a play date with them. Describe what things you want to do with them, and follow through. If you can’t meet with this person face to face, speak on the phone, send a hand written note to them, Facetime, or do a Zoom call.

25. Opportunities for outdoor activities abound in the summer. With time off from work or school, and freedom to do as you please, this season can be so sweet. 

Perhaps you'll use free time to visit a friend or relative you haven't seen in a while. Before you do, write a short story about a summer adventure you've had in the past and reveal why you think you still remember it.

26. In what area or areas of your life could you use a refresh? Do you want to make this a goal to work toward in the coming months? Please explain. 

Which journal prompts helped you connect with a secret longing or inspired a shift in perspective? 

Did any journal prompts stimulate ideas about things to do or places to go this summer? Please share in the comments section below. ⚾🎈🎨🎹⛱🚲🥗

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9 Practices to Help You See You Are Enough

Gather round those of us who worry we aren't enough. This applies to even those who start off feeling okay about themselves.

This post has been updated 5/5/2022

This post is food for thought for those who get down on themselves. We may make the mistake of comparing ourselves to others and come up short. Can you relate? 😕

When I was in my twenties, I thought caring for my family, taking on greater responsibility at work and in the community, and leading a busy life would fill the emptiness I often felt inside. It didn't.

Then in my thirties, I noticed that despite making money, having a degree and career, and receiving praise from others, I didn't feel I was a valuable human being. 

To compound things, my lack of self-compassion influenced the choices I made, and led to behaviors that further damaged my sense of self-worth.

Are you still with me?

Self-doubt about my right to a place in the world, only made me feel more anxious, gloomy, and dejected. 

How I Discovered I am Enough

In my early forties, at a low point in my life, I felt intense emotional pain. My rocky first marriage had ended, and I was anxious about how my family would survive. 

Fear and courage compelled me to journal write, and try to sort out my options.

Soon I noticed that expressing my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to happenings of the day in a journal, gave me a way to diffuse the negative energy I felt was trapped inside. 

I journaled about my goals and dreams, and the recorded progress I made. This motivated me to search for and adopt additional self-care practices that eventually helped me feel stronger and more empowered. 

That's why this quotation from Joan Halifax's book Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet resonates with me.

"Living systems that break down can reorganize at a higher and more robust level, if they learn from the breakdown experience."

Today, as a result of my steadfast effort to show up for myself, I've replaced damaging self-talk and self-defeating people-pleasing behavior with authenticity. 

I've gained confidence in my own worth, and like myself just the way I am.

Each day begins fresh and new, as I follow through with mindful self-care. 

I know for sure...

 I am a healthy person with a bountiful life 

You can have that too! 

Consistent self-care is how I got here, and ... 

I invite you to come along with me to try out the 9 practices I outline below for a three week trial. 

By then, you'll be able to see which ones increase peace of mind, motivate you to keep on keeping on, and renews your faith in yourself.

How to Recognize You Are Enough

At least once or twice a day, check in with yourself to listen to the stories you tell yourself about you. 

Get in touch with your desires, emotions, body sensations, and beliefs. Look for at least five things you consider assets, challenges, successes, and dreams. List them without judging them good or bad. 

Embrace who you are right now, without any qualifications, conditions, or exceptions. Affirm you are enough. 

Early in my recovery, I learned to treat myself with kindness, care, and consideration. PLEASE do that too. 

Best Way to Take an "I am Enough Inventory"

If you are a perfectionist, "should" yourself, or treat yourself harshly, request help from a friend or counselor to work through your personal inventory.

This is a good idea, because shame and guilt may actually send you deeper into a slump. 

Research shows that asking questions instead of ordering yourself around is a more effective way to create self-knowledge. 

When you catch your inner critic shouting accusations, reframe thoughts by asking: “What ways can I convert this noise into an information gathering opportunity?”

1. Reserve time to journal. Writing with pen on paper grounds you to the present moment and helps you recognize distress or comfort in mind, body, and spirit. 

Journal writing is a meaningful way to check your emotional temperature, note progress, and supports self-discovery. See Journal Prompts to Boost Self-confidence for more. 

2. Explore meditative practices. Mediation techniques including breath work and body scans, yoga, affirmations and visualizations, mindful eating, reflection, and walks in nature can help you experience the richness in yourself and your surroundings, through your senses. 

If you aren't familiar with one or the other of these self-care practices, take a class, read a book, or get a pro to show you the ropes.

3. Use mindfulness daily. House cleaning and laundry, food prep, child care, exercise, and alone and family time are enriching experiences if done mindfully. Even the colors you choose to wear can have an uplifting effect. 

Living in the now creates calm and balance in you, and helps you be present for yourself, others, and the tasks at hand.

4. Contemplate gratitude. When you make a gratitude list, whether it's a mental or actual written one, you focus on positives in your life. Put an appreciative spin on everything by reading tips to draw more gratitude into your day. 

5. Be physically active and health aware. Incorporate aerobics, stretching, weight lifting, and balancing activities into daily routine. Exercise elevates mood, gets your heart pumping, and can give you the spark that inspires you to take better care of yourself in other areas of your life. 

Learn how walking is a step in the right direction. Then find out how adopting a plant-based eating plan can make life healthy and lively.

6. Meet your needs first. When you care for mind, body, and spirit, you're more likely to do things that bring you satisfaction, and follow through on actions to improve your sense of well-being. 

When you're mindful to take good care of your own needs, you have renewed energy to be there for others. Just remember, to make wellness a priority and persist with self-care. 

7. Hang out with the winners. Develop mutually supportive relationships with a few good people or many, depending on individual preferences. 

People need other people, and reaching out to socialize and get and give support is good for mental and physical health. 

Spending time with family or friends reduces stress and may even lower your risk of dementia. 

8. Detach from energy drains.  Say "no" to people, places, and things that disrupt serenity. Being around negativity increases tension, so for wellness don't take on anything that goes against personal ethics, values, or instincts. 

Get in the habit of letting go of small things, before they become bigger problems.

9. Develop a generous, loving attitude. Put your focus on loving kindness. Allow those good vibrations to help you remain non-judgmental, and love and approve of yourself and others wholeheartedly.

More About Improving Self-love:

Tips to help you open your heart and love wholeheartedly

Tips to Combine Journal Prompts with Quotes to Heal

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Please comment below and click publish. 

If you are dealing with low self-image now or have dealt with it in the past, what helped you treat yourself with tender loving care (TLC)? Please share how you do it.

Have any tips about how you fit self-care into a full life? 

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Colors of the Chakras Workshop

Colors of the Chakras Workshop and You're Invited

Restore Balance, Joy, and Vitality with Colors of the Chakras

Where: The Seasoned Woman, the Williams Center, 5460 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson 85711

When: Thurs. April 19, 5-6 PM

Why: Have Fun as Nancy Andres Shows You Ways to Use Colors from the Chakras to Heal and Balance Mind/Body/ Spirit.

Nancy Andres’ Workshop is Complimentary, and Seating is on a First Come First Serve Basis. It’s best to call the Seasoned Woman at 520-745-5942 to confirm.

You'll have an opportunity to see COLORS OF JOY: A WOMAN’S GUIDE FOR SELF-DISCOVERY, BALANCE, AND BLISS. It's a 12 week interactive self-care journal program that helps women use color-coded exercises to explore relationships, nourish secret longings, and find ways to attract more joy into daily living.

Buy an autographed copy for yourself and give another as a colorful birthday, graduation, or thinking of you gift. See more about Nancy Andres’ work at www.nancyandreswriter.com

Please comment below and then click publish.

Do you have tips that help you restore balance, joy, and vitality each day? Please share them in the comments section below.

Does color energy play a role in your self-discovery and bliss?

Want information to help you understand and use the COLORS of the CHAKRAS more effectively? Willing to learn something new? Sure would love to meet and greet you at this workshop. Please join us. Come on down!

Here's some pictures from the workshop(updated 4/25/18)

updated 4/25/18