When I wrote my book in 2013, nine years after my father’s death, I found it therapeutic to reflect on where I felt I was at the time and where I was almost a decade later. Writing the book about my father’s death and how it impacted me and what I did to get myself out of that dark place was therapy of a different kind. It helped me realize how much I had grown and made positive changes that impacted my life in ways I never imagined.
I think writing that book was the first time I had taken a moment to reflect on where I was and the journey that brought me to where I was at the time. I regularly reflect now. It’s interesting how we can forget the progress we’ve made when experiencing dark times. I no longer save reflecting on my progress when I’m feeling low. Now I do it regularly to motivate myself that more is possible.
I’m not the same person I was three years ago, never mind a decade ago. Things that used to stress me out no longer raise my blood pressure. I’m more confident that things will work out the way they’re meant to as long as I do what I can to steer it. When things don’t go according to plan, I now look for the lesson instead of beating myself up.
I’m not saying that I don’t have low days or days where doubts still plague me, but I now have tools and techniques to help me not get out of that funk, so I don’t get too comfortable there. I celebrate that things don’t have the same negative effect on me they once had and celebrate the small wins and progress I make on my goals.
You are probably already reflecting on your progress if you journal, even if it isn’t consciously. Before our move last year, I found some of my journals, and they served as a great reminder of the progress I’ve made. Reading about the things you were struggling with eight years ago and looking at where you are now can remind you that things that once seemed monumentous are inconsequential when you look at the big picture.
Whether you decide to do it daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly, reflecting on your growth can show you where you’ve grown and highlight the areas that still need work. It doesn’t have to be in a fancy journal; you can capture it on a notepad. It doesn’t matter where you do it; what matters is that you take the time to reflect on your journey and decide if the path you’re on is the one you want to continue or time to adjust. The choice is yours. ❤️