Journal Prompt Day With A Twist!

It’s Monday and you know by now that means journal prompts to write about are here! Prompts to help you explore your creativity and your life. But this week is wee bit different.

This little twist came about because of some events in my life last week. It was a hectic time, not feeling my best and more though there were happy times too! But I would come to the end of the day and couldn’t believe all the things I should have been able to get done (or so I thought) and didn’t.

I found myself saying “I should have tried this” or “I should have completed my to do list.” These statements and more felt like they were on repeat play in my head. I found myself jittery, out of sorts and stressed. And we all know what stress can do to us physically and mentally.

Then sometime either Thursday or Friday I had this light bulb moment. I literally said out loud: “Why am I ‘shoulding’ on myself?” Thank goodness I was in the room by alone! The statement rang a bell with me. I had set my expectations so high along with having to deal with unexpected events that trying to get it all done and have some semblance of self-care were real absurd now that I look back on the previous week. But at least at that moment I gain some clarity and took a few deep breaths.

Why do we do that to ourselves? Please tell me I’m not the only one that does this. So this week there is only one journal prompt: Do you “should” on yourself? If so, why? How can you quit doing? Does it accomplish anything for you?

I think we could all write on this topic every day as we allow ourselves to delve deeper into the subject and we are honest with ourselves. I know I’ve done some soul searching and continue to do so. For me it the perfectionist coming out to take control. I just need to put her back in a little box and say “Not anymore” and I’m working on that.

Let me know how you do with this journal prompt. And if you have ANY suggestions, techniques, books, etc., that would help us all with getting of our “shoulds”, please share them!

XOXO,

Miki