Juliana Moves

Hi! I’m not sure what’s got me feeling so inspired to write this week but I’m enjoying it. I’ve been reading some older blogs and I guess it just reminded me of how fun it is to read someone else’s thoughts and glimpse into their lives without Instagram. 

Today’s stream of consciousness is somewhat of a follow up to yesterday’s. Last year I began working with a mental health coach to help me process and feel all the emotions that were raging inside me. It was a phenomenal experience and I highly recommend it. I got access through my health insurance and thought I was signing up for therapy, but it was worthwhile nonetheless. As our sessions came to an end late in the year, we talked a lot about how to continue practicing boundaries and intention in life and in my relationship with work. I decided I wanted to do a weekly (give or take) self check in! I decided on a few short questions that I felt would force me to reflect on how I was feeling and what I was up to, set a weekly reminder in my calendar, and found a notebook to use to journal my responses. 

I haven’t been perfect about doing it weekly, though I usually get to it at least twice a month. If I find myself with a gap between meetings or I arrive at the office earlier than expected, I may just spend a few minutes reflecting right at my desk. Ultimately, I am hoping to catch myself from ever falling into a 2023 pit of despair again and live my best life instead. Here are the questions I use for my journaling:

1. How are you feeling?
2. Where are you spending your time and energy during work hours and outside of work hours?
3. What do you really want to start doing or stop doing that you’re making excuses about?
4. What’s one thing you will commit to doing between now and your next check in to pursue the version of yourself that is best for you to be?

In some entries I answer each question with a large paragraph. Other times it’s just one or two sentences. Whatever feels right in that moment. Maybe these questions don’t resonate with you or maybe they’re not the kick in the ass that you’re looking for. And that’s okay! I encourage you to think about what questions might stop you in your tracks and force you to consider how your week is going and where your headspace is. 

Last summer I kept a brief journal by my bed and wrote in it every night. I can’t go back and read any of it easily. It was extremely bleak and outright sad. I am proud that I can reread my new journal and not feel a pang of heartache! Instead I find myself thinking, “wow, you really did improve on that!” or “you have not been very successful about using your phone less!” LOL. 

If you’ve been considering journaling, I think you should try it. And I hope you can revisit your entries fondly! 

I haven’t talked about my experiences from 2023 all that much or in too much detail, but I’m sure you can tell that it was just not good. I wouldn’t wish the experience I had on pretty much anybody. But I am proud and overjoyed with how far I’ve come in only a few short months. And I am so grateful to everyone who said kind words or lent their time and energy to me in 2023 and beyond. It was more impactful than you’ll ever know.

“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”