Journalling for Your Future Self
Writing With Purpose – Journalling Prompts and Creativity Activities to Make Life More Enjoyable

Journalling for Your Future Self

I say this every time—where does the time go?


How are you?


These past two weeks, I’ve enjoyed learning about the last standing bottle kilns across Stoke-on-Trent on a ‘teapot’ adventure with my local running group. Forty-seven remain as listed buildings, despite many being dilapidated.


Nature has been an influential supporter this week to decompress after another university assignment submission. I’ve practised forest bathing techniques, ventured out into the fields strawberry picking (and eating) and appreciated work/pleasure balance at an Airbnb on a ‘workcation’ with my partner!


Today’s newsletter combines writing, nature connection and creativity with future self journalling.


Top left: Coughton Court, Alcester. Top right: Strawberry picking. Bottom left: S-o-T bottle kilns. Bottom right: Beautiful sunset from our Airbnb.


'Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.' Epicurus

–?–?–

How can you help shape your future by journalling? ??


Future self journalling was the topic presented in a recent journalling workshop.


It may sound a bit mystical, but it’s actually quite easy to encourage small incremental changes that build up to more significant transformations. The core fundamentals to stepping into the identity of your future self are to set intentions, craft affirmations, and log thoughts, feelings and reflections about your progress.


So, where do you start?


Pull out a pen or pencil and your favourite journal or load an app of choice and follow the three steps below to begin:


? ?Journal Prompts

  1. Choose one area, behaviour or pattern you would like to change in your life.
  2. Create affirmations that will help you achieve this.
  3. What steps can you take towards this change or practice this new behaviour? Be specific.


These three steps form the groundwork for ensuring change happens.


Once you’ve established a place to begin, there follows an invitation to create your future self every day. Some suggest you build a habit over 30 days to make the messages and transformation stick. But life can often sideswipe our desired intentions, so I encourage you to do your best, but never beat yourself up if you miss a day or two.


To help you achieve the best outcome, follow the next steps below, writing in your journal.

? ?Journal Prompts

  1. Create a daily affirmation
  2. Today, I will focus on shifting my pattern of... e.g. gratifying my present self over actions that serve my future self.
  3. I am grateful for…
  4. The person I’m becoming will experience more…
  5. I have an opportunity to be my future self today when I…
  6. When I think about who I’m becoming, I feel…


Over a period, you can reflect on your journal entries and see how far you’ve come or work through realisations and challenges so that the outcomes are more helpful.


Good luck ??


'When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.' Kristin Armstrong

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Find Gratitude by Appreciating Small Pleasures in Life


Gratitude is a simple way to start journalling. It offers a gateway to observing positivity and appreciating the beauty of everyday wonders. It’s a happiness creator!


Find somewhere comfortable and quiet to sit with a journal or dedicated notebook and pen. Breathe in deeply, hold and breathe out. Repeat four more times to rid your mind of daily clutter.


? ?Journal Prompts

  • Without overthinking it, write down three things you are grateful for – big or small.
  • Take some time to reflect on how these things or incidents make you feel.
  • What steps you can take to bring more of this happiness into your life?

If you’re struggling, consider three things that made you smile today. They could be personal experiences, interactions with others or a small pleasure encountered.


'Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.' Robert Brault

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Book & Podcast Recommendations


Fiction book: 'Beautiful World, Where Are You’ by Sally Rooney – wonderfully written and full of curiosity.

Magazine: ‘Happiful’ devoted to mental health and wellbeing – gorgeous illustrations and practical, inspiring articles.


Writing with Purpose Resources

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Until next time, what are you grateful for?

Love & energy

Anna ??


P.S.

If you know anyone who wants to explore their creativity or improve their self-awareness and may benefit from receiving these emails, please share this with them.

Join my Facebook Journalling Group

Andy Mullaney

??Yep, I’m that guy who wrote “Didn’t Anyone Ever Tell You? It’s All A Game!” Author | Mentor | Coach | Connector | Public Speaker | Volunteer Author Ambassador for Troubador | Mental Health First Aider | Cancer Fighter

4 个月

Brilliant easy to read and practical help here for anyone seeking change in their lives. This helps you to be the change, to create the change and also to do it without threat to yourself or your core beliefs. Anna ??????

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