Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
We are officially a year into the pandemic.
Regardless of where you live and what the restrictions are like there, my hunch is there continues to be a sameness to your days. Granted, that was probably true even before the pandemic. But the limited options for getting out—whether to gather groceries, grab a bite, or socialize with a very limited few—can intensify the day-to-day fog.
On top of that, we’re still in the midst of winter. Places unaccustomed to severe winter weather like Texas and Portland OR are still recovering from the aftermath of devastating ice, snow, and below freezing temps. And areas where this kind of weather is the norm won’t be experiencing consistent spring-like weather for at least another month, regardless of what the calendar says.
It can all be too much. Many days probably don’t seem worth remembering. You’re just trying to get through them.
I feel it too. I hit the pandemic wall a few weeks ago. And when I heard Dr. Fauci recently say that we would probably be wearing masks for another year, though I wasn’t surprised, my heart sank a little.
If this is where you are, in the fog of sameness, I want to share with you the one practice that has kept me sane and present throughout the past year. It’s a daily journaling exercise I learned from coach colleague Nayla Mitha.
This practice helps me take stock of my day—to remember the good, to process the challenges, and to set an intention for a different experience tomorrow.
Here are the journal prompts:
What’s the one thing that made you smile today?
What’s something that brought you sorrow today?*
What was most challenging for you and why?
What’s one thing you’re proud of and why?
What’s one thing you learned about yourself and/or in general today?
What could you have done differently today?
List one adjective that best describes how you’d like to show up tomorrow?
I do this journaling last thing before I call it a night. I’m usually in bed where the light is low and it’s quiet. This signals to my brain and body that the day is done and gives me some space to reflect.
Of course you can do this journaling any time that works for you—after you've cleaned up the dinner dishes, put the kids to bed, or let the dogs out for their “last call.” However, I don’t recommend doing this first thing in the morning. It can be difficult to recall details from the previous day.
I have done this journaling practice almost every day during the past year. Reflecting on my day in this way has brought me a couple gifts. I find it helps me remember my day in a more positive light than my negatively biased mind might otherwise. And my sleep has greatly improved since I began processing the events of my day. That is probably the greatest gift of all!
Sure, there have been nights when my petulant inner teenager stomps her foot and says, “But I don’t want to.” On those nights, I bribe myself with the promise of snuggling down into a warm bed with a good book.
I am always glad I took the time to do this journaling. Something noteworthy or inspiring often comes to the fore, making each day unique and memorable.
If you give this journaling practice a try, I’d love to hear how it works—or doesn’t—for you. You can always reach me at hellosiobhannash@gmail.com.
*Note: I added this prompt, which I learned rom a class I'm currently taking. It feels important to acknowledge the sadness and grief we may be feeling, especially in light of all that we have lost due to the pandemic.