Each month I host a free 'Journaling for well-being' workshop. It's 30 minutes of support and inspiration for your journaling practice. We focus on two techniques:
1 - Wild writing, a free-style journaling method.
2 - Utilising guided prompts around a particular theme.
The theme for the session was 'seeking your authentic self'.
Many of us spend a lot of time trying to answer this question - Who am I...really? At different phases of life, key milestones (big birthdays) or events we question our identity. Sometimes this is at a certain age or perhaps when starting a new job, having a family or ending a relationship.
Taking time to look inwards and reflect on the times when you feel like your true self, can help you seek more of those moments and in turn set boundaries in place during the times you feel less authentic.
Authenticity is when your words and actions align to your beliefs and values. When these exist in harmony you feel at peace, life is calmer, you're more at ease. When you don't feel authentic, you can often feel conflicted, become frustrated or withdraw from situations.
Who would you be if you knew you were enough?
This month's journaling workshop focused on authenticity and bringing awareness to that all important question - who am I?
The prompts below offered a chance to raise awareness of the times you feel true and those when you feel like you're wearing a mask.
Authenticity is when our values and beliefs align with our actions and behaviours. Describe a time when you felt completely authentic. What was happening at that time?
What are the activities that bring you the most joy? When did you last do these?
Recall and describe a time when you were wearing a 'mask' for someone else's benefit.
In what ways were you not being true to yourself?
What was going on that meant you felt the need to disguise yourself?
How does the wearing of a mask impact you and your well-being?
Who would you be if you knew that you are enough, simply as you are?
If you were no longer concerned with what others thought of you, what would you do differently today?
What small thing can you do this week to act more in alignment with your true self?
Glennon Doyle, author of ‘Untamed’ - a wonderfully inspiring account of how she discovered who she really is and how she learnt to trust herself. Here she is speaking on her podcast ‘We can do hard things’. Have a listen for an extra boost of confidence to be unapologetically you!
If you find these prompts useful, why not come along to one of my free journaling workshops which take place monthly throughout the year - the details can be found here.
Alternatively, you can download my free journaling toolkit to get your started.