Mindful & Reflective Writing Exercise
Recently, I've been re-discovering the joy of writing after joining the 7cups Content Development & Marketing program. I used to fear the writing process but not anymore. That's why I'm so grateful that 7cups has enabled me to fall in love with this healing and fun activity again!
Writing can be beneficial to us in many ways and I would like to invite you to join me on this short mindful journaling exercise.
5 writing prompts that you can try out in less than 30 mins
- Sit quietly and just think for five minutes. What thoughts go through your head?
- Sit in nature for a few minutes. Listen to everything. What do you hear and what do you feel?
- What are the three things I spend most of my time on every day?
- What things in my life cause me the most stress or anxiety? Can I change them?
- What can I do to become more present when I spent time with people I care about?
To read more about the benefits of mindful writing practice, click here
For more mindful writing prompts, check out this link
We are having a Back To School event, feel free to participate here
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou @resourcefulPond1641 @HopieRemi @Nerdtastic01 @freshOasis7877 @Optimisticempath @tami150 @ouiCherie
@Angelx28
@kindLemonade
Hi Lemo! Thanks for tagging me! Here's a reflective prompt that I came up with:
Think about any important challenges that you had to face this past week. What were they? How did you feel when you were confronted with these challenges? Did you overcome them?
@Nerdtastic01
Hi Tastic, very nice question!
"Think about any important challenges that you had to face this past week. What were they? How did you feel when you were confronted with these challenges? Did you overcome them?"
Two of my challenges were to stay calm under pressure and to exercise daily while on a low-carb diet... I think I did pretty well and I would rate my performance as 8/10. Not a perfect score as there is still room for improvements but overall, it went great! I feel proud of myself for facing and overcoming the obstacles. I definitely grew from this.
These are great excellent reflective questions, by the way!
@kindLemonade
I'm glad you like it! โค๏ธ
@kindLemonade
Nice challenges you set for yourself!! If you felt you did a perfect job, you would probably be more tempted to lost interest. Feeling an 8/10 is super!!!
@Nerdtastic01
Very nice reflective, thinking question/prompts!!
@BlueBirdPIllow
Thank you very much! ๐
@kindLemonade
These are the prompts that I chose:
"What things in my life cause me the most stress or anxiety? Can I change them?"
I think ruminating about what has happened or my past mistakes cause me anxiety the most. It is so tiring and weighing me down. I have started changing them by practicing mindfulness. I have also been telling myself the mantra "This already happened, I cannot change it anymore. However, I can move forward and take better actions in the future."
This writing exercise is also helping me. I like the 7cups daily growth path too, it helps me be reminded of what I'm doing well. So I feel more in control of my situation now.
"Sit quietly and just think for five minutes. What thoughts go through your head?"
I am asking myself "what do I want to get done today". Another thought that comes to mind is "I'm thirsty"... Then my mind started drifting to my family, I miss them! Then another thought is "by back heart, I need a stretch"... hahaha this is a fun activity to write down everything racing through my head. There are so many thoughts that I cannot jot them all down!
Tagging some of my favorite listeners. Which prompt do you choose? @JustOneMoreEpisode @cheerfulIceCream@Uke @Mindfullistner @starrysky99
@energeticWest1129
hello @Rosshini... I know you said you donโt like writing ๐
๐
but this seems like a short activity.
@energeticWest1129
Thanks for the tag West!๐
- What things about life cause me the most stress? What causes me most stress about life is, worrying about the future, my higher education and if I'll be able to meet my mom's expectations and get through my narcissistic dad and mean relatives AND get what I want and make my life purposeful. Okay, that's a lot of stress. ๐๐ฅฒ
- What can i do to become more present when i spent time with people i care about? I can be more present by - not doing anything on mobile (except for looking at how many steps I'm walking xD), paying attention to their body language and intentionally treating em according to their love language.
- Sit quietly and just think for 5 minutes. What thoughts go through your mind? "Beautiful. I should check my emails. The sky is blue but the sun is sunning. ๐ I need to do more dhikr today. I'll go back and blue ah-huh(song๐ฅฒ). He is beautiful. I think i found more writing prompts. Isn't that ุณ isn't that weirdo ุณ? (Do not try to debunk this xD) Oh yay, 5 minutes are over!^-^
Final thoughts - "Who writes down all there thoughts on a forum post on the Internet like meยฟ? XD
@cheerfulIceCream
You truly suprise me everytime, IceCream - in a good and unexpected way ๐โค๏ธ
I love reading this, it helps me understand you more! ๐๐๐๐๐๐
@energeticWest1129
That's what he said. ๐
@cheerfulIceCream
Hey Cream, I'm sorry to hear about the stress that's burdening you. It is inspiring for me to see how you have been able to keep an optimistic look, show professionalism and funny side as a listener here. I don't think it has been easy, you are strong ๐ช๐
By the way, I have been loving the incidental exercises you shared yesterday. Oh boy, the video was so funny but practical ๐๐
@kindLemonade
Thanks for the kind words Lem! ๐
Yuuhuuuu, I'm so happy to know you found the video not only fun but useful! All best with em!!๐
@energeticWest1129
What things in my life cause me the most stress or anxiety? Can I change them?
i things that cause me the most stress or anxiety is one of my family member and career. i might be able to work for my career to make it better but i donยดt have control over the family member or do anything to change them for better. so i can only minimize the contact and find my way out.
@energeticWest1129
Love what you said, ""This already happened, I cannot change it anymore. However, I can move forward and take better actions in the future."
Hey @kindLemonade! Thanks for the awesome post! I personally always like asking myself the question of "How are you feeling today, really? Physically and mentally." It allows for me to be true with myself and acknowledge what I am feeling and why. From there I can choose how to handle those feelings and place myself in a positive vibe
@kindLemonade
I'm glad you found the writer in you back ๐ You've been creating great posts!
I'm going to answer 1 of the questions:
2. I am sitting outdoor at the moment. I heard birds chirping, cars and motorbike vrooming in distant... insects...crickets (?).
As an ADHDer, I live by this quote:
"You have to pick pretty finite number of things to tell your mind to work on, you have to decide what you should care about." - Bill Gates.
So, my reflective questions:
1. What should you care about?
2. Ever since I read 7 Cups of the Searching Soul, this has been my guiding light: โHow do you want to be remembered?
@ouiCherie
Hi Cherie, the question โhow do you want to be rememberedโ stuck me the most. I will be pondering about it today ๐
@kindLemonade ๐
@ouiCherie
Very great reflective questions!!!
@BlueBirdPIllow ๐
@kindLemonade
It's such a wonderful post, lemo. I am a die-hard fan of journaling. One question which I always ask myself is "How do I like to be treated?" as it solves most of the relationship problems for me.
Have a lovely time!
"How do I like myself to be treated?"
@caringHope1976
Agreed with @Sunisshiningandsoareyou this makes things clearer for ourselves ๐ Thanks Hope!
Love this question @caringHope1976 , I see how it can help us be more clear in what is acceptable and tolerable for us versus what isn't. Thanks for sharing ๐
@kindLemonde
Love this post!!
The writing prompts I came up for now are :
What were my strengths today that helped me?
What were my weaknesses today that I could work on?
What would i like to see more of in my life?
I find they're quite reflective and are good for self-esteem and clarity in life.
Tagging - @Bubblegumwings1234 @JustOneMoreEpisode @SparkyGizmo @youlol
@cheerfulIceCream
Hi IceCream! 
Many thanks for the tag my friend!
In an effort to be incredibly forthcoming, I am not someone that engages in journaling or writing prompts. However, I am someone that does see the value in it for others. Journaling can be an incredibly powerful tool! Dr. Suess "Oh, the places we'll go" how much one can learn about themselves and the world around them when doing so.
I really have to commend you! I found your 3 writing prompts to be quite brilliant! I love how you asked what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses! Once we identify our strengths we can learn to play to them. To embrace, enhance, enjoy what it is that our natural gifts are and push that even harder and find joy in that area.
Identifying our weaknesses is quite valuable as well. Once we face what it is that are our weaknesses, it gives us an opportunity to spend time on those things, at our own pace, try hard, do a little better in those areas but also be kind to ourselves along the way. It can help us to set goal posts or milestones in helping us to achieve more confidence in ourselves once certain weaknesses are identified and then worked upon.
Lastly, I like that you asked what you would like to see more of in your life. Identifying what it is that you want can help you to bring it to fruition. "If you can see it in your mind you can achieve it in your life". This was a simple little piece of paper drawn from a fortune cookie one night at dinner with someone that I care deeply for in my life. I believe in that statement. I believe in that statement so much, I framed that fortune from the cookie for them. This is one of their most treasured objects now in their life. It never leaves them, no matter where they reside. They see it daily, they repeat that mantra to themselves. Yes, the power of positive thinking, action plans, goal setting, simply seeing it all in your minds eye.
Would it surprise you to know that this person that owns that framed object is an absolute powerhouse now? I underestimate no one! I sit back, watch them shine and bask in their glow 
@SparkyGizmo
I liked reading your post and yay for the person!!๐
@cheerfulIceCream
Cream all 3 of those are really good reflective thoughts/questions.
I do like to journal, but lately didn't write / journal anything ~ idk why haha , so this alert today and the prompts are a reminder to try and write something (today ) .
I prefer *writing* in a notepad / diary than typing on a device when it comes to journaling , so won't be sharing the responses , quite old school ....yass xD
but here's some of the prompts I'd like to share for everyone else to try out too -:
โก What makes you feel content usually ?
โก How would you define Your " purpose in life " ?
โก If someone who loves you were to describe you, what would they say ?
โก Currently, what 5 things are you grateful for and why ?
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
aww hey! I'm so glad that you don't feel obliged to respond here, feel free to write in your own notepad or diary... I love having a good journal which I can hold in my hand as well! Miss that feeling of the old yellowish paper too, like vintage leather journal type...
โก Currently, what 5 things are you grateful for and why?
Gunna be copying you and answer this^ question in my diary too :3
Thankyouu @kindLemonade , yes exactly that !! And I am more than happy for you to use the prompt(s) ! Go youuโค
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Nice writing prompts you shared with us all Sun!!!
Thankyou so much โค@BlueBirdPIllow
@kindLemonade
Love your post. It's so useful for those waiting to get started and even for those who are on the bandwagon of writing.
I too bounced back to penning my feelings and thought all thanks to 7Cups when
Something churned me very deeply and I immediately contributed a write-up here.
Looking forward to writing and contributing more and more.
Btw I joined the content writing team for precisely this purpose.
Thanks so much.
Tani
Hi, thanks for giving us this platform. I found that I feel restless a lot. So I decided to participate today.
I pick the first question. It hasn't even been five minutes but I find myself thinking about the past and how I'm thinking about people having bad intentions against me too much. I dont feel good. And I feel like I'm an imposter. I feel like I might be acting good and being bad for some reason. I thought being a bad person is the way to go rather than pretending being good. I'm struggling to get a grip on myself. There were mistakes I just cant seem to settle within myself. I feel that I have self sabotaging behaviours and I'm not sure how I am now. I've tried being positive. Maybe I haven't tried enough. And maybe its just a small portion of what I'd overcome.
I think I'll end it here. I couldn't think of anything reflective because a big moody cloud occupied my mind.
Thanks again for reading them. Hope you have a great day
@Juney23
My friend, there are days I feel like dark clouds covering my mind...it sounds like a lot has been going on for you... ๐ขStay put and stay strong, i wish you well and hope you feel better soon...
You are not alone in this, I think many struggles with stressful and anxious thoughts too, including me. I tell myself often that things come and go... Hopefully the storm will pass.
@Juney23
Hi there Juney, thanks for joining on this short mindfulness writing activity with me, it's great to have you here! Wow, it sounds like there was a lot going on in your mind. If I was in your position, I would feel very heavy and overwhelmed, even tired and demotivated with all those thoughts going on. It also sounded like there is a sense of guilt/ unworthiness from your voice.
It is good that you are taking the time out to reflect and to have a dialogue with yourself. I think self-acceptance or self-love is not easy and I have to go through a journey to feel "settled" with myself as well. So, I can relate to your inner struggle
How are you feeling now? I hope that you're keeping well!
@kindLemonade
- Sit quietly and just think for five minutes. What thoughts go through your head? How nice is the weather today, Can my neighbour be quiet lol.
- Sit in nature for a few minutes. Listen to everything. What do you hear and what do you feel? toliet flushing, ands being washed, birds singing
- What are the three things I spend most of my time on every day? phone, laptop, bedroom
- What things in my life cause me the most stress or anxiety? Can I change them? too much noise, things being postphoned,
- What can I do to become more present when I spent time with people I care about? ask them if they have any worries, be honest, be assertive,
@GoldenRuleJG
Great that you're trying all 5 reflection prompts! Yayyyy!
I am sorry about the busy neighbors and too much noise stressing you out. I can relate to the stress caused by too many delays, especially with the pandemics going on, things are a bit more out of control and do not go like the plans.
I hope this short exercise has been helpful for you
@kindLemonade It was a good reflective exercise ๐