Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, let's dive
into something a little bit
different.
Today we're going to be lookingat a blog post from
listallioncom and it's called 50Divorce Journal Prompts.
Now I know you might bethinking divorce and journaling,
kind of heavy stuff, right?
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
But honestly, this
piece by Clara Penrose,
published on November 13th,really caught my eye.
It's not about the legalbattles or dividing assets or
anything like that.
It's really about using theseprompts to understand your own
experience, to heal and moveforward.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
You know, it's
fascinating how Penrose frames
journaling as a tool.
We often think of divorce, asyou know, this purely legal and
financial process, but there'sthis whole internal landscape
that can kind of get overlooked,and these prompts really offer
a structured way to navigatethat emotional terrain.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
It's like she's
saying, hey, this is tough, but
you've got the power to processit, learn from it and ultimately
come out stronger on the otherside.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, it's about
reclaiming agency during a time
when a lot of people feel likethey've lost control.
And it's not just about, youknow, venting feelings although
that's important too but it'sabout actively engaging with
your thoughts and emotions togain clarity and move forward
intentionally.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I love that.
So the blog post breaks downthese prompts into five
categories and each one tacklesa different aspect of the
divorce experience.
We've got reflecting on thepast relationship, processing
emotions and feelings,rebuilding self-identity,
setting boundaries and findingstrength and looking forward and
building hope.
It's like a roadmap forpersonal growth through a really
(01:33):
challenging transition.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah, and what's
striking is that this roadmap
isn't linear.
You might find yourself jumpingbetween categories, revisiting
certain prompts as you evolve.
It's not about checking boxes.
It's about using these promptsas starting points for deeper
self-exploration.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Right, it's your own
personal journey, so let's jump
into the first category.
Reflecting on the pastrelationship, I was particularly
struck by this prompt Thinkback to a time when you felt
happiest in your pastrelationship.
What made that moment specialand what did you appreciate
about?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
it that one really
stood out to me as well.
It's so easy to get caught upin the negativity surrounding a
divorce, to focus on what wentwrong, but this prompt
encourages you to revisit thosepositive memories, to
acknowledge that there were goodtimes, even if the relationship
ultimately didn't work out.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
It's like
acknowledging the complexity of
the situation, right, noterasing the bad, but remembering
that relationships, even thosethat end, are made up of layers
of experiences.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Exactly, and by
reflecting on those happy
moments you can gain a clearerunderstanding of what brought
you joy, what you valued in therelationship and perhaps even
what you might seek in futureconnections.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Almost like taking
stock of what worked so you can
apply those insights movingforward.
Now this next prompt takes abit of a different angle.
Reflect on a challenge you facetogether.
How did you handle it and whatdid you learn about yourself
from that experience?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
This one's all about
growth through adversity.
Every relationship faceschallenges, and how you navigate
those challenges reveals a lotabout your strengths, your
weaknesses and yourcommunication patterns.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
It's almost like a
post postmortem on a specific
conflict.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
But with the goal of
learning from it right Not to
place blame, but to understandyour own role and how you might
approach similar situationsdifferently in the future.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Precisely.
It's about recognizing patternsin your behavior, identifying
areas where you might need todevelop, you know, better coping
mechanisms or communicationskills, turning a past challenge
into an opportunity forpersonal growth.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Okay, this next
prompt really got me thinking.
Reflect on a shared dream orgoal you once had together.
How does it feel to look backon that now?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
That's a powerful one
.
It taps into the sense of lossand disillusionment that can
often accompany divorce,especially when those shared
dreams are shattered, but italso invites you to reclaim
those dreams for yourself.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
It's like, ok, that
was our dream, but what about my
dreams?
Where do I go from here?
It can be a catalyst forreevaluating your own
aspirations and sending newgoals that are aligned with your
individual path.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Exactly Recognizing
that, even though the
relationship has ended, your ownhopes and aspirations remain,
and sometimes letting go of ashared dream can create space
for even more fulfilling ones toemerge.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Now, before we move
on to the next category, which
is all about processing emotions, I'm curious have any of these
prompts sparked a particularthought or memory for you?
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, you know, that
prompt about shared dreams
really makes me think about howrelationships can sometimes
become like these containers forour aspirations and then, when
those relationships end, we kindof have this opportunity to
reexamine what we truly want forourselves.
It can be a time of likeprofound rediscovery.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
It's like those
dreams were on hold and now it's
time to hit play again, butthis time with a deeper
understanding of who you are andwhat you truly desire.
Okay, let's shift gears a bitand dive into the next category
Processing emotions and feelingsDivorce.
It's a roller coaster ofemotions and this section really
encourages you to lean intothat experience, to acknowledge
(05:04):
and explore the full spectrum ofwhat you're feeling.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
It's about developing
what psychologists call
emotional literacy that abilityto recognize, understand and
manage your emotions.
And journaling can be such apowerful tool for cultivating
that literacy.
It provides a safe space toprocess those raw, unfiltered
feelings without judgment.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
One prompt that I
thought was particularly
insightful was describe a timerecently when you felt
overwhelmed.
What triggered this feeling andhow did you cope with it?
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Overwhelmed.
That's such a common experienceduring divorce.
You're dealing with so manychanges, so many decisions and
often a lot of uncertainty.
This prompt encourages you toidentify those specific triggers
, to become more aware of whatsends you into that overwhelmed
state.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
It's like creating a
personalized early warning
system.
Right, If you know what yourtriggers are, you can start to
develop strategies for managingthem more effectively.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Exactly, and that's
where those coping mechanisms
come in.
The prompt encourages you toreflect on how you dealt with
that feeling of overwhelm,whether it was through, you know
, healthy strategies likeexercise or talking to a friend,
or perhaps through less helpfulhabits.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Becoming more
conscious of those patterns, so
you can start to replaceunhealthy coping mechanisms with
more constructive ones.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Right, and it's
important to remember that
there's no one size fits allapproach what works for one
person might not work foranother.
The key is to find what helpsyou regulate your emotions and
navigate those challengingmoments.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Okay, let's move on
to a prompt that focuses on a
different emotion.
Think about a time when youfelt at peace.
What brought you calm, and howcan you find more moments like
this?
Speaker 2 (06:40):
I love this one.
It's so easy to get swept up inthe chaos of divorce that you
forget to pause and appreciatethose moments of peace.
This prompt reminds you tosavor those experiences, to
identify what brings you a senseof calm and tranquility.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Almost like creating
a mental toolbox of
self-soothing techniques, right.
So when you're feelingoverwhelmed or stressed, you can
pull out one of those tools andintentionally shift your
emotional state.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Exactly.
It's about empowering yourselfto create more of those peaceful
moments in your life, evenamidst the challenges of divorce
.
Now the next categoryrebuilding self-identity.
That really speaks to thetransformative potential of this
experience.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
It's like you're
shedding a skin right.
Divorce can shake yourfoundation, make you question
who you are Outside of thecontext of that relationship.
These prompts encourage you toexplore that new terrain, to
rediscover your passions andvalues and ultimately, to
rebuild a sense of self thatfeels authentic and empowered.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
And it's not just
about going back to who you were
before the relationship.
It's about recognizing howyou've grown, how the experience
has shaped you, and integratingthose lessons into a new,
evolved sense of self.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
One problem that
stood out to me in this section
is think about a quality inyourself that you're
rediscovering.
How does reconnecting with thistrait make you feel?
Speaker 2 (07:55):
I love that one.
It's about recognizing thosestrengths that might have been,
you know, dormant orovershadowed during the
relationship.
Maybe you rediscover yourcreativity, your sense of humor,
your resilience.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
whatever it is, it's
about celebrating those
qualities and allowing them toflourish like those qualities
were always there, but now theyhave space to breathe, to grow,
to become even more vibrant,right, okay, here's another
prompt that really struck achord describe a hobby or
interest that brings you joy.
How does this activity help youreconnect with who you are?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
This one is all about
tapping into those sources of
joy and fulfillment that areindependent of your relationship
status.
It might be something you usedto enjoy but haven't made time
for lately, or it might besomething entirely new that
you're exploring for the firsttime.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
It's about
remembering that you are a
multifaceted individual withpassions and interests that
extend beyond the confines of aromantic relationship.
Beyond the confines of aromantic relationship.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
All right, and by
engaging in those activities
that bring you joy, you not onlynourish your soul, but also
reconnect with your authenticself.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Now, before we move
on to the next category, I'm
curious what are some of thethings that help you reconnect
with your authentic self?
What brings you joy and helpsyou feel grounded?
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Oh, for me it's
spending time in nature, hiking,
gardening, just beingsurrounded by trees and fresh
air.
It helps me clear my head andreconnect with what's important.
It's a reminder that there'sthis whole world outside of our
own personal dramas, a worldfull of beauty and wonder.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
I love that.
It's like nature has thisincredible power to ground us,
to put things in perspective.
Okay, so we've talked aboutreflecting on the past,
processing emotions andrebuilding your identity.
Let's move on to the fourthcategory setting boundaries and
finding strength.
This section feels particularlyempowering, like it's about
(09:40):
reclaiming your autonomy after aperiod of feeling somewhat
powerless.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Absolutely Setting
boundaries is so crucial in any
relationship, but it takes on anew level of importance after a
divorce.
It's about learning toprioritize your own needs and
well-being, to say no to thingsthat drain your energy or don't
align with your values.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Yeah, it's like
drawing a line in the sand and
saying this is what I'm willingto tolerate, and this is where I
draw the line.
It's about honoring yourselfand your own needs.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Exactly, and it's not
just about setting boundaries
with others.
It's also about settingboundaries with yourself, you
know, recognizing thoseunhealthy patterns or behaviors
that might be holding you backand making a conscious effort to
break free from them.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
One prompt that I
thought was particularly
powerful in this section isthink about a boundary you'd
like to set.
Why is it important and howwill it support your wellbeing?
Speaker 2 (10:28):
That's a great one.
It encourages you to reallythink about what matters to you,
what you need to feel safe andrespected in your interactions
with others.
And it's not just about sayingno.
It's also about communicatingyour needs clearly and
assertively.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Learning to advocate
for yourself right.
To express your needs andexpectations in a way that feels
both honest and respectful.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Right, and it takes
practice, but the more you do it
, the more confident you becomein asserting your boundaries.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Okay, here's another
prompt that I think speaks to
the theme of finding strength.
Write about a person whosupports your healing journey.
How does their support help youfeel stronger?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
That one is a
beautiful reminder that we don't
have to go through this alone.
It's about acknowledging thosepeople in our lives who offer a
listening ear, a shoulder to cryon or a word of encouragement
when we need it most.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Recognizing the power
of human connection right, how
those supportive relationshipscan provide a sense of belonging
and strength during a time whenyou might feel isolated or lost
.
Okay, let's move on to thefinal category looking forward
and building hope.
This section feels particularlyuplifting, like it's about
shifting your focus from thepast to the possibilities that
(11:41):
lie ahead.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
It's about embracing
the future, even if it looks
different than what you mighthave envisioned before.
It's about recognizing that youhave the power to create a new
chapter in your life, a chapterthat is filled with joy, purpose
and meaning.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
One prompt that
really stood out to me in this
section is reflect on a dream orgoal you have for your future.
What excites you about this andhow can you begin working
toward it?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
That's a great one
for sparking a sense of hope and
motivation.
It encourages you to, you know,dream big, to envision a future
that feels aligned with yourvalues and aspirations.
And it's not just aboutdreaming, it's about taking
action, about breaking downthose big goals into smaller,
manageable steps that you canstart taking today.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Creating a roadmap
for your future right, A path
that feels both exciting andattainable.
Okay, here's another promptthat I think captures the
essence of this category.
Describe a future moment whenyou see yourself feeling truly
happy.
What does this moment look likeand who are you with?
Speaker 2 (12:40):
I love that one.
It's all about visualization,you know, creating a vivid
mental picture of a futurefilled with happiness and
fulfillment, planting thoseseeds of joy in your mind and
allowing them to take root.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
It's about
remembering that happiness is a
choice and, even though divorcecan be a difficult experience,
it doesn't have to define yourfuture.
You have the power to create alife that feels both meaningful
and joyful.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Absolutely, and these
prompts, while simple on the
surface, can be incrediblypowerful tools for guiding you
on that journey of healing andrediscovery.
They provide a framework forexploring your emotions, setting
boundaries and ultimatelycreating a future that feels
aligned with your authentic self.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Well, as we wrap up
this deep dive into the world of
divorce journal prompts, I hopeyou've gained some valuable
insights and perhaps even arenewed sense of hope.
Remember, this is just astarting point.
The real work happens when youput pen to paper and allow
yourself to explore your ownunique journey.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
And one final thought
to leave you with Think about
what resilience means to you,how do you define it and what
steps can you take, big or small, to cultivate more resilience
in your own life?
Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning and keep diving
deep.