The Rocking Chair Test: A Visualization to Clarify What Really Matters

In this solo episode of Creative Space, I guide you through one of my favorite exercises to help you reconnect with your deepest values: the Rocking Chair Test.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure about a decision, this simple but powerful visualization will help you cut through the noise and tune in to what truly matters. It’s something I use with coaching clients often—and return to myself whenever I need clarity.

All you need is a quiet space, a few minutes, and a willingness to listen to the voice of your older, wiser self.

Let’s take a breath, slow down, and come back to what matters most.

And if you're curious about coaching, I’d love to offer you a free 30-minute discovery call to see if coaching might help you get even more clarity. Book here.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 — Introduction
 0:45 — What Is the Rocking Chair Test?
 1:26 — Guided Visualization: Picture Yourself at 90
 3:10 — Reflection Prompts: Pride, Regret, Values, and Relationships
 4:45 — Bringing Wisdom to a Present-Day Decision
 5:41 — Why This Exercise Matters (and How I Use It with Clients)
 6:20 — Invitation to Reflect Further (and Connect for Coaching)
 7:00 — Final Thoughts and Thank You

Episode Transcript

Jennifer Logue (00:10):
Hello and welcome back to Creative Space,
a podcast where we explore andgrow in creativity and in life
together.
I'm Jennifer Logue, a creativecoach, writer and musician, and
I'm so glad you're here Today.
I want to do something a littledifferent.
It's something I often do withmy coaching clients.
It's a simple but powerfulvisualization exercise called

(00:33):
the rocking chair test.
If you've been feeling stuck,unsure about a decision or
wondering what really mattersmost to you, I think you'll find
this really helpful.
If you're somewhere safe andcomfortable right now, I invite
you to really lean in.
If you can close your eyes Now,if you're driving or busy, save

(00:54):
this episode for later.
You'll want to be somewhere youcan really focus a quiet, safe
space.
So let's start by taking a fewdeep breaths together Inhale,
exhale Again, breathe in deeplyand slowly let it out.

(01:16):
Let yourself relax, let yourshoulders drop, settle in Now.
Imagine it's many years from now.
You're 90 years old, sitting ina comfortable rocking chair on
the porch of your favorite place.
It's a peaceful day.

(01:38):
Feel the gentle breeze on yourface.
Notice the sounds around you.
Breeze on your face.
Notice the sounds around you.
Let yourself really be there.
Feel how content, wise and atease you are in this moment.
As you sit there looking backover over your life, ask

(02:02):
yourself what am I most proud of?
Think about that for a second.
Looking back over your life,what moments or achievements

(02:24):
stand out as most meaningful?
Who are the people who matteredmost to you?
How did you show up for them?
What values guided yourdecisions?

(02:50):
Are there things you wish youhad done more of?
What comes up for you?
Are there things you wish youdid less of?

(03:11):
Looking over your life at 90years old, are there any regrets
?
Anything you wish you tried?
Just notice what comes up.

(03:33):
No judgment, no need to fixanything here.
Just simply listen to yourolder, wiser self.
Now gently bring your attentionto your life today.
Think about a decision you'refacing, something you've been

(03:59):
turning over in your mind, bigor small, from the perspective
of your 90-year-old self.
Ask what advice would I givemyself about this decision?
What advice would your90-year-old self give you in

(04:20):
this present moment about thisdecision?
Which choice aligns best withthe life I want to look back on
with joy and peace about whatreally matters.

(04:54):
When you're ready, take anotherslow breath, slowly, bring your
awareness back to the presentmoment.
If your eyes are closed, youcan open them.
Take a moment, if you can, tojot down anything that stood out
for you, any insights, anyfeelings, anything you don't

(05:17):
want to forget.
I know this exercise can bevery emotional.
It's simple but it's powerful,and it's one I return to often
myself, because it cuts throughthe noise.
It helps us remember whatactually matters, beyond fear or
perfectionism or theexpectations we've picked up

(05:40):
along the way.
If this exercise broughtsomething up for you and you
want to explore it further withsomeone who gets it, I'd love to
help.
This is exactly the kind ofwork I do with my coaching
clients.
If you're curious about workingtogether, I offer complimentary
discovery calls, no pressure,just a conversation to see if
working together feels like agood fit for the both of us.

(06:02):
You can book yours at the linkin the show notes.
Thank you so much for spendingthis time with me today.
If you found this helpful,please make sure you're
subscribed so you don't missfuture episodes, and if you know
someone who might need thisexercise the rocking chair test
feel free to share it with them.

(06:23):
Until next time, keep dreaming,keep exploring and keep
listening to that voice insideof you that knows what truly
matters.
Take care, thank you.