Time: < 1 Hour
STEP 1: Sit down with something to take some notes on, be it a journal, laptop, or recording yourself speaking out loud. Ask yourself some reflective questions—How am I doing? What anger, resentment or bitterness am I holding onto? What do I need to let go of? Am I feeling anxious or depressed? What do I need to do for me that I have been putting off? Am I happy in my job and/or relationships? If not, what needs to change? Many times, just giving yourself the outlet to get these thoughts on paper will provide you with some clarity on adjustments that need to be made, or conversations that need to be had. Approach this exercise as one of an ongoing nature—many of these questions are associated with complex topics that require a longer-term effort to improve.
STEP 2: After completing this activity, ask yourself if there are some bigger obstacles to overcome than you had realized. If so, it’s important to find someone to talk with – someone with similar values and beliefs that will not point you down a path that is not good for your overall wellbeing. A church counselor, a therapist, support group, or close friend/family member are good places to begin.
STEP 3: Take the notes from this activity to your discussion and let them guide you in your journey of self -discovery. Ask them to listen as you read through them, or summarize them, allowing enough detail for them to get the full picture. Be as honest and transparent as you possibly can, as this is the only way to work through the process successfully.
STEP 4: Take notes, ask questions and request suggestions for moving forward…then move forward on those suggestions. Many times, you simply have to work through the process – there is no other way around it. Put one foot in front of the other, recognizing that the next day will be better than the day before, or at least it will put you closer to self-acceptance and/or prioritizing what is important in your life.
STEP 5: A month later, take a moment to reflect and celebrate on the progress you’ve made thus far, as well as what areas need some continued attention. Keep at it. You are moving forward in a healthy way and getting closer to where you need to be. Celebrate your successes and learn from any setbacks or frustrations you encounter—self-growth does not always come easily and that is okay. Sometimes the most important things or life lessons come with hard work or adversity.
