December 9, 2024 • 34 mins
50 Recovery Journal Prompts
What if you could harness the full power of your emotions to facilitate profound healing and self-discovery? Explore the world of recovery journal prompts with Listallion, as we guide you through structured stages of emotional healing. Discover the significant role of confronting emotions like fear and anger and how understanding them is pivotal to managing them effectively. This episode promises to illuminate how naming these emotions is the first step toward navigating through life's challenges with wisdom and grace.
Amidst adversity, hope and gratitude emerge as essential pillars of recovery. We delve into how maintaining a positive outlook can transform your experience, using gratitude to change perspectives and uplift the mood. By setting goals and envisioning a hopeful future, recoveries become opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment. Let’s discuss how embracing hope and mindfulness in the present can lay a stable foundation for a more fulfilling life.
Resilience is the heart of any recovery journey, and we have practical prompts to help cultivate mindfulness and self-acceptance. Learn how gratitude not only alters your view but also has profound neurological benefits, increasing happiness and resilience. We explore how journaling can help process emotional chaos, offering a transformative tool for personal growth. As we conclude, we encourage you to continue writing your story, supported by a community and resources along your journey. Let these insights inspire you to keep exploring and growing with every page you fill.
LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Right, let's dive into something pretty powerful
today Recovery journal prompts.
We're going to be looking at 50of them.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
From a website called Listallion, and we're going to
go deep, you know.
Explore not just how to usethem, but why they're so, so
effective.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I think that's a really important distinction,
because a lot of times you'llsee lists of journal prompts.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
And they'll just be these like random questions.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
But what I find really fascinating about these
prompts is they're veryintentional.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
You know they're categorized, there's a real
method.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Yeah Well, Stallion breaks them down into five
categories.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
OK, each with 10 prompts, and the idea is to kind
of guide you through.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah 10 prompts and the idea is to kind of guide you
through different stages,different emotional landscapes.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Right.
So it's not just free writing,it's not random Right it's
structured.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Which is really helpful, because a lot of people
when they sit down a journalthey're like okay, what do I
write about?
Like page, right, yeah, sohaving a prompt can really help
you overcome that initial hurdle.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Absolutely Okay.
So let's jump into the firstcategory, reflecting on your
healing journey.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Sounds good.
One prompt that really caughtmy eye what has been your
biggest challenge in yourrecovery so far?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
That's a really powerful one, I think, because
it's so direct.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
It is.
It's almost like a dare yeah.
To confront it, to confront ithead on.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
And not just to name it, but to really analyze it.
Exactly Like why is this sochallenging?
Speaker 1 (01:33):
for me Right and get really specific.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah.
What are the specifics of whatmakes this feel so
insurmountable?
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Right, it's like, instead of just feeling
overwhelmed, you're kind ofbreaking it down.
You're shining a light on thosedark corners.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
You're getting it out of your head and onto the page.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
So there's another prompt in this category that I
love Write, about a time whenyou felt strong during your
recovery.
I think you know we oftenoverlook those little victories
right, we do.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
We focus so much on the struggles that we forget to
acknowledge those moments ofstrength.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Yeah, and they're so crucial to building resilience.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Absolutely.
It's like, you know, building amuscle.
Each time you experience thatstrength, you know it becomes
easier.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Reinforcing it.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
To tap into it again.
But what I think is even moreinsightful about this prompt is
if you can go beyond justdescribing what happened and
really dig into what made youfeel strong.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Was it a supportive person?
Was it a newfound coping skillRight?
Was it just a sudden burst ofdetermination?
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Because, by identifying the source of that
strength, you can start toreplicate it.
Right, that's a really goodpoint.
Yeah, because by identifyingthe source of that strength,
yeah, you can start to toreplicate it.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Right, that's.
That's a really good point.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, it's like almost reverse engineering.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah yeah, reverse engineering your resilience.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Love that.
There's a third prompt in thiscategory that I want to bring up
.
What is one thing you'velearned about yourself through
this recovery?
Oh, that's a good one you'velearned about yourself through
this recovery.
Oh, that's a good one.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I think it gets at the heart of self-discovery,
self-awareness.
Yeah, and it can be.
You know, it's almost like atrick question in a way.
Okay, because recovery forcesus to confront those parts of
ourselves we might've beenavoiding.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
So maybe you discover something you didn't know about
yourself, like an unexpectedstrength.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Or or maybe you realize, wow, I really need to
set boundaries, you know,protect myself.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
So these realizations are like I don't know, gold
nuggets in the messy process ofhealing.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
And those nuggets, even if they're uncomfortable
truths.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
They can lead to lasting change, not just in
recovery, but in life right.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
It's like those prompts are.
They're helping us sift throughthe rubble and find those
building blocks.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, that's a great analogy.
It's like we're rebuildingourselves.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Yeah, a stronger self .
Speaker 2 (03:55):
And speaking of confronting those uncomfortable
truths, let's move to a categorythat really tackles them head
on processing difficult emotions.
Okay, this one can be a littleintimidating for some people, I
can imagine, but it's reallywhere I think that the most
profound healing can happen.
It's like if we try to avoidour emotions, they just fester.
(04:18):
They don't go away Exactly so.
This category is all aboutbringing them to the surface and
dealing with them.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Okay, so one prompt that jumps out to me here what
is one emotion that has beendifficult for you to manage?
I think we all have at leastone right.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
We do.
It might be anger for somepeople, fear for others, maybe
even guilt, excessive guilt.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Right, it's like whatever trips us up, whatever
tends to get us stuck.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
This prompt gives us permission to name it.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Right and naming it is the first step, absolutely,
to taming it Right.
You can't solve a problem ifyou don't even acknowledge it
exists.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
So this, this prompt, isn't about, you know, dwelling
or wallowing.
It's about shining a light onthose difficult emotions so we
can start to understand andmanage them.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Okay, there's another prompt here I find really
powerful.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Write about how fear has shown up in your recovery
journey.
Fear is so sneaky, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (05:24):
It really is.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
It can be.
It can be so subtle, it candisguise itself.
It can be the voice that tellsyou you're not strong enough.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
You're going to fail or change is too scary, don't
even try.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Exactly, and so by, by journaling about your fears,
almost like putting them ontrial, you can expose them.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
To see that they're not rational.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
To diminish their power.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Yeah, I think that's key.
It's not about getting rid offear altogether, right.
It's more about learning todance with it.
Yeah, to acknowledge it's therewithout letting it control our
choices.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Exactly, it's about shifting from being ruled by
fear to respecting its presence,but still making decisions that
align with your goals.
I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Here's another prompt here that speaks to this really
well.
What is one way you can showcompassion to yourself when you
feel sad or discouraged?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So easy to beat ourselves up, right we do.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Right, especially when we're struggling.
Oh right, so easy to beatourselves up.
Right, we do Right, especiallywhen we're struggling.
Oh right, and this promptreminds us that we deserve
kindness, especially fromourselves.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, and there's a lot of research showing that
self-compassion is crucial forresilience.
It's not about ignoring thestruggle, right, it's about
responding to ourselves withcare.
You know, like we would a closefriend.
Absolutely, it's likeresponding to ourselves with
care.
Yeah, you know like we would aclose friend.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Absolutely.
It's like you know if yourfriend was going through a hard
time.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
You wouldn't tell them get over it, you'd be
supportive.
Yeah, you'd offer them alistening ear, a shoulder to cry
on.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
So why not do that for ourselves?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Exactly, and that shift in perspective can be so
powerful, right?
Speaker 1 (07:04):
It can be transformative.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, instead of adding fuel to the fire.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Of self-criticism, we're offering ourselves a
gentle hand up.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
It's like becoming our own best cheerleader.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Absolutely Okay.
I'm excited to move to thisnext category because it focuses
on something that's so crucialto lasting recovery Celebrating
your strength and resilience.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
We've talked about facing challenges.
We've talked about processingdifficult emotions.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
But now it's time to acknowledge the badass we are.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
For making it this far.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
I love that this category shifts the focus to our
inner strength Right, andthere's this one prompt that
really resonates with me what isone quality you admire about
yourself that has helped you inyour recovery?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
It's so important to celebrate those positive traits.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
It is.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
You know they often get overshadowed.
They do During tough times.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
And you know positive psychology.
Research has actually shownthat focusing on our strengths
can help us perform better inall areas of life.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
So by highlighting those qualities that have been
instrumental in your recovery,you're not just giving yourself
a pat on the back, you'reactually priming yourself for
future success.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Oh interesting.
It's like building a mentalinventory of your own
superpowers and then, whenyou're faced with a new
challenge, you can say hey,remember that time I did this.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
I can tap into that strength again.
You've done it before.
You can tap into that strengthagain.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
You've done it before , you can do it again.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Another prompt I find really powerful in this
category is right about a timewhen you felt proud of how you
handled a difficult moment inyour recovery.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
It's like creating a highlight reel of your own
resilience.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Right Like a collection of moments that prove
you can weather the storm.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Absolutely, and those moments don't have to be, you
know, huge epic victories itcould be something as simple as
you know choosing to use ahealthy coping mechanism instead
of an old destructive habit.
Right, it's those small winsthat add up over time.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Yeah, it's like building a muscle.
Exactly wins that add up overtime.
Yeah, it's like building amuscle Exactly Each time you
make a choice that aligns withyour recovery your goals.
You're strengthening thatresilience muscle.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Right.
And this next prompt, I think,really, really highlights that.
What is one thing you've donein your recovery that you never
thought you could do?
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Yeah, that's a great one.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It's a really powerful prompt for
acknowledging how far you'vecome, because I think sometimes
we get so caught up in the dayto day challenges that we forget
to celebrate those milestonesthat once seemed impossible.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
And those moments where you surprise yourself.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
You know, wow, I actually did that.
Yeah, I didn't think I could.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
It's like looking back at a mountain you've
climbed and being like, wow, Iactually climbed that.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It's so motivating.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
It gives you that fuel to keep going.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Absolutely, yeah, okay, ready to shift gears a bit
?
Yeah, I think so.
Let's explore the power ofpresence with this next category
Finding comfort in the presentmoment.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Okay, yeah, yeah, mindfulness and gratitude.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yeah, the dynamic duo of inner peace.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Love it and you know, especially when recovery feels
turbulent, these prompts feellike a soothing balm.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Yeah, you know, what's so interesting is that
these practices like mindfulnessand gratitude, they're not just
, you know, woo, woo, feel goodstuff.
Right, there's a growing bodyof scientific research that
shows they can actually rewireour brains Wow, to be less
reactive to stress and moreattuned to joy.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
That's amazing.
It's like we're givingourselves a mental makeover.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yeah, rewiring those neural pathways to support
healing and well-being yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Okay, let's dive into a specific prompt.
What is one thing you could dotoday to stay grounded in the
present?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
That's a good one.
It's all about, you know,finding those anchors to keep us
steady in the midst of thestorm.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Yeah, it's so actionable right.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
It's not just a concept.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It's actually finding .
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Like a practical step , something you can actually do.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah, and it doesn't have to be a grand gesture.
It could be as simple as takinga few deep breaths before you
start your day.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Or really savoring your cup of coffee?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yeah, and instead of just gulping it down, yeah.
It's it's those little momentsof presence that can make such a
difference.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
There's another prompt here that I find really
powerful Um right about a momentin your recovery when you felt
completely at peace.
Hmm, I love that one.
It's like revisiting thosepockets of tranquility, yeah,
and exploring what created them.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Yeah, it makes me think of those rare but precious
moments when everything justseems to fall into place.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
And it could be something again very simple.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Like a quiet walk in nature.
Yeah or a heart-to-heartconversation with a loved one,
or a moment of self-acceptanceyeah.
Like a quiet walk in nature,yeah.
Or a heart to heartconversation with a loved one.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Or a moment of self-acceptance.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
And by journaling about those moments, we're not
just reliving them Right, we'realso understanding the
conditions that that createdthem Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
It's like.
It's like we're we'redetectives.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Yeah, trying to figure out, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
What?
What creates that sense ofpeace?
Maybe it's connection, maybeit's a sense of accomplishment,
maybe it's just the absence ofinternal conflict.
But by understanding it we canstart to cultivate more of those
moments.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
It's like we're learning to speak the language
of our own inner peace.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Exactly learning to speak the language of our own
inner peace, exactly.
There's one more prompt in thiscategory that I want to
highlight, because it's sosimple yet so profound.
What is one thing you'regrateful for in this moment?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Oh, gratitude.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Yeah, I think we often take it for granted.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
We do.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
But it can be a real game changer when it comes to
shifting our perspective.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Yeah, it's like an instant mood booster, right.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It is.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Even when things feel tough.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
There's always something to be grateful for,
whether it's a roof over ourheads, a supportive friend, yeah
, the fact that we woke up thismorning.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Absolutely and focusing on those blessings.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Can help us navigate the challenges with more grace.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Yeah.
And it's not about denying thedifficulties, yeah Right.
It's about choosing to focus onthe good yeah, even amidst the
bad.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Gratitude is a practice.
Yeah, it's not always easy, butit's so worthwhile.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
So we've explored four categories so far, each
offering a unique lens, you know, through which to view our
recovery journeys, and it'sincredible how these prompts
encourage us to reflect, toprocess, to celebrate, to find
peace, all within the pages of ajournal.
But there's one more category,and it's all about embracing
(14:11):
hope.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
And the future.
Are you ready to step into thatrealm of?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
possibility, absolutely.
I think this final category iswhere the magic happens.
You know, we've we've done thework of looking inward, facing
our challenges, acknowledgingour strengths.
Now it's time to turn our gazeoutward yeah, and envision the
future yeah, it's like we'vegathered all the tools and the
wisdom from our past experiencesand now we're using them to
build a brighter tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Exactly, and these prompts are the blueprints
guiding us towards that vision.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Love that.
Okay, let's jump right in.
The first prompt that caught myeye is write about a future
goal that excites you.
Oh, I love that one.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
It's an invitation to dream big it is you know to
connect our recovery journey tothose things yeah that make our
hearts sing and and goal-settingsuch a powerful tool it is
right for motivation for selfdirection yeah, it gives us a
sense of purpose yeah anddirection, and when we link
those goals to our recoveryjourney, it creates this amazing
(15:18):
synergy where each step forwardin our healing also propels us
towards our dreams.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It's like weaving our aspirations into the very
fabric of our recovery, creatinga path forward that feels both
purposeful and empowering.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Creating a path forward that feels both
purposeful and empowering.
There's another prompt herethat I find really beautiful.
What is one hope you have foryour future self?
It's like an invitation to tapinto that deep well of inner
wisdom and envision the bestversion of ourselves.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Yeah, it's not just about wishful thinking.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Right.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
It's about understanding the link between
our present actions and ourfuture aspirations Right.
So by reflecting on our hopes,we gain clarity on our values
and our priorities, and that canguide our choices and shape our
path forward.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Right.
It's like planting seeds ofintention, nurturing those
qualities within ourselves thatwe want to see blossom in the
future.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Exactly Okay.
We're nearing the end of ourdeep dive.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
But there's one final prompt in this category that I
want to highlight.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
What is one thing you believe about your future after
recovery?
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Oh, that's a great one.
It's all about cultivating apositive outlook.
Right yeah, it's all aboutcultivating a positive outlook.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Right yeah, it's about embracing the possibility
of a brighter future.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
And recognizing that that recovery isn't an endpoint
Right, it's a springboard.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Yeah, it's a launchpad.
A launchpad For a life filledwith purpose and meaning and joy
.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
It's about believing in our own capacity for healing
and growth and envisioning afuture where we've, you know,
not only overcome adversity fuelthat keeps us going when the
road gets tough.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
The light that guides us through the darkness, wow,
and the foundation upon which webuild a brighter future.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
That's such a beautiful thought.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
And I think it's the perfect note to end this part of
our deep dive on.
Yeah, We've covered a lot ofground we have Exploring the
power of recovery journalprompts and how they can help us
navigate the emotional, themental and even spiritual
aspects of healing.
But our exploration isn't overyet.
Stay tuned for part two, wherewe'll delve even deeper into
(17:47):
some specific prompts anddiscuss how to make journaling a
truly transformative practicein your own recovery journey.
We'll be right back after ashort break.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
You know, as we were talking, I was struck by how
these prompts aren't just aboutprocessing the past, but they're
also tools for building afuture.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
A future that really feels aligned with who we're
becoming.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
It's like using the wisdom gained from our struggles
to create a roadmap.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
For a more fulfilling life.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
And I think that's why this next category we're
going to dive into findingcomfort in the present moment is
so important, because it's hardto build anything worthwhile if
you're constantly feeling shakyand off balance.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Yeah, you need that solid foundation.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Exactly, and that's where mindfulness and gratitude
come in.
They're like the groundingwires.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
That keep us steady amidst the inevitable ups and
downs.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Of recovery.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah, of recovery.
There's a prompt here that Ifind particularly helpful for
cultivating that sense ofpresence.
What is one thing you can dotoday to stay grounded in the
present?
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Oh, I love that one.
I love that one because it's soactionable.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
It is.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
You know, it's not just about the concept of
mindfulness.
Yeah, it's about actuallyintegrating it.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Into our daily life.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
And it doesn't have to be some grand gesture.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
You know, it can be something as simple as taking a
few deep breaths before youstart your day, or really
savoring a meal instead of justmindlessly scarfing it down.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Right, right right.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
And those small moments of presence can really
have a ripple effect throughoutyour day.
So, instead of being swept awayby you know anxieties about the
future or regrets about thepast, you're anchoring yourself
in the now.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Right right.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Which is where true peace and healing can happen.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
There's another prompt here that speaks to that.
Really well, write about amoment in your recovery when you
felt completely at peace.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
It always makes me think of those rare but precious
moments when everything justseems to fall into place.
Yeah, you know it could besomething as simple as a quiet
walk in nature or a heart toheart conversation with a loved
one.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Or even just a moment of deep self-acceptance.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
And by journaling about those moments, we're not
just reliving them.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Right.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
We're also trying to understand what created them.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
What are the conditions that foster that
sense of peace?
Is it a sense of connection?
Is it a feeling ofaccomplishment?
Or maybe it's just the absenceof internal conflict.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
But by understanding it we can start to cultivate
more of those moments it's likeyeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
It's like cracking the code of our own inner peace.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
Exactly Okay.
There's one more prompt in thiscategory that I want to
highlight, because it's sosimple yet so profound.
What is one thing you'regrateful for in this moment?
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Oh, I love that one.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Yeah, gratitude is so powerful.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
It's like an instant reset button.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
You know for our minds when we're feeling
stressed, overwhelmed.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Discouraged.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Yeah, discouraged Shifting our focus to gratitude.
It's like a breath of fresh air.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Yeah, it really can shift your perspective.
It's so easy to get caught upin the things that are going
wrong, right, but this promptforces us to pause, to
acknowledge the good, evenamidst the challenge, even
amidst the challenges, yeah, andthat shift in perspective can
be so transformative.
It.
Can you know?
I was reading a study recentlyabout the neurological benefits
(21:20):
of gratitude.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
And it turns out that practicing gratitude regularly
can actually increase activityin the parts of our brain that
are associated with happiness,with calmness, with social
bonding Wow so it's not justabout feeling good in the moment
, it's actually rewiring ourbrain that are associated with
happiness, with calmness, withsocial bonding.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Wow, so it's not just about feeling good in the
moment.
It's actually rewiring ourbrains yeah, rewiring our brains
for greater happiness andresilience in the long run.
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
And speaking of resilience, I think it's time
that we revisit that category,because there are a few more
prompts that I want to unpack.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
We talked earlier about the importance of
celebrating our strengths, andthere's one prompt here that I
think really gets at the heartof that Write about a time when
you overcame a fear orlimitation in your recovery.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
That's a good one, because it forces us to
acknowledge those moments whenwe were brave, even when it felt
terrifying.
It's so easy to focus on thetimes we stumbled we do, but
this prompt reminds us that,that we've also had some major
victories absolutely.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
And those victories, no matter how small yeah they're
proof that we're capable ofmore than we think.
You know, courage isn't theabsence of fear, it's taking
action despite the fear right.
And so when we acknowledgethose moments of bravery, we're
reinforcing that belief inourselves which is so crucial
for facing future challenges.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Absolutely.
There's another prompt in thiscategory that I think is so
important for building self-love, self-acceptance.
What is something you'velearned to appreciate about
yourself through recovery?
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Oh, that's a beautiful one.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
I think it's easy to get caught up in self-criticism.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
We do.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Especially when we're struggling.
But this prompt invites us toshift our focus to those
qualities that make us uniqueand wonderful.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
You know, one of the most beautiful things about
recovery is that, yes, it forcesus to confront our flaws.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Right.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
But in doing so it also helps us uncover those
hidden strengths.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
You know, develop a deeper appreciation for who we
truly are.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
It's like peeling back the layers of self-doubt
and judgment to reveal the goldbeneath.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Exactly, and that gold, those qualities that have
helped us through tough times.
They're what make us resilient,compassionate, worthy of love.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
Okay, before we move on to the final category, I want
to touch on a few prompts thatare particularly helpful for
processing those tougheremotions.
Remember that category wediscussed earlier.
Yeah, there's one prompt herethat I think is particularly
relevant for anyone whostruggles with anxiety or worry
Write about a time when you feltoverwhelmed by your emotions
(24:05):
during recovery.
I always think of those moments.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
When it feels like our emotions are just a runaway
train and we're just desperatelytrying to to hair on.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Yeah, it feels so chaotic.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
It does.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
But by journaling about those experiences we can.
We can start to make sense ofthe chaos you know.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Yeah, it can help us to to develop those healthier
coping mechanisms.
You know there's there's atherapeutic technique called
exposure therapy that's oftenused to treat anxiety disorders,
and while journaling isn't areplacement for professional
therapy, it can be a form ofcontrolled exposure to those
(24:46):
difficult emotions.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
So by writing about them, we're gradually
desensitizing ourselves to theirintensity.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
So it's like we're creating a safe space within the
pages of our journal toconfront those anxieties and
fears without feeling completelyoverwhelmed.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Exactly, and as we become more comfortable with
those emotions, they lose theirpower over us.
There's another prompt in thiscategory that I find incredibly
helpful for cultivatingself-compassion.
Another prompt in this categorythat I find incredibly helpful
for cultivating self-compassionwhat is one way you can show
compassion?
Speaker 2 (25:21):
to yourself when you feel sad or discouraged.
That's a crucial one, you know,because recovery isn't always.
You know rainbows andbutterflies.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
No, it's not.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
There are going to be moments when we feel sad or
discouraged or even defeated.
Yeah, and how we respond toourselves in those moments can
make all the difference Right.
So, self-compassion, it's notabout, you know, denying the
difficulty, it's aboutacknowledging the struggle.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
While offering ourselves the same kindness and
understanding.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
That we would offer to a close friend, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
It's about silencing that inner critic and replacing
it with a voice of gentleencouragement and support, and
sometimes that voice of supportis exactly what we need to keep
going.
You know, it's like givingourselves permission to be human
, to stumble and fall.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
And to pick ourselves up again with love.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Yeah With grace.
And to pick ourselves up againwith love yeah With grace.
And you know, what'sinteresting is that research has
actually shown thatself-compassion is linked to
greater resilience andmotivation.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
So by being kind to ourselves, we're not just making
ourselves feel better in themoment Right, we're actually
setting ourselves up for greatersuccess in the long run.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Okay, so we've covered a lot of ground today.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
We have.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Exploring prompts for reflecting, processing,
celebrating and finding peace.
But there's one more categorywe need to delve into, and it's
all about embracing hope and thefuture.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Ooh the future.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Are you ready to step in to that realm of possibility
?
Speaker 2 (26:53):
I am let's do it.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
Okay, so this final category is where we get to
dream big, you know, envisionthe life we want to create and
connect our recovery journey to,to those aspirations that make
our hearts sing.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
It's like we've been working on the foundation, the
framing, the walls of ourrecovery house.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
And now it's time to decorate, to add those personal
touches that make it truly feellike home.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
Love that analogy and these prompts are like the
interior designers.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Helping us choose the colors.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
The textures, furniture, the furniture.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
That reflect our unique style and vision for the
future.
Okay, let's jump into aspecific prompt that I find
particularly inspiring Writeabout a future goal that excites
you.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Ooh, that one always gets my creative juices flowing.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
It does.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
It's an invitation to think beyond the limitations of
our current circumstances andreally imagine the possibilities
.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
The possibilities that lie ahead.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
That lie ahead, yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
And you know, it could be a career goal or a
travel dream, or a creativeproject.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Or just a simple desire to cultivate more joy and
meaning in our lives.
And you know, what'sinteresting about goal setting
is it's not just about achievingthe end result.
Speaker 1 (28:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
It's about the journey itself.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
When we set goals that are meaningful to us.
It gives us that sense ofpurpose, of direction, which can
be incredibly motivating.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
It's like we're creating a roadmap, yeah, for
our future selves Exactly A paththat leads towards greater
fulfillment and happiness.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Yeah, and this next prompt speaks to that
beautifully.
What is one hope you have foryour future self?
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Oh, I love that one.
It's so open ended.
It is and full of full ofpossibility.
You know it's, it's aninvitation to tap into our, our
deepest desires and reallyenvision the best version of
ourselves.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
Yeah, and it's not just about wishful thinking.
It's about understanding thelink between our present actions
and our future aspirations.
So by reflecting on our hopes,we gain clarity on our values
and our priorities, which canthen guide our choices and shape
our path forward.
Speaker 1 (29:12):
It's like planting seeds of intention.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
Yeah, our choices and shape our path forward.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
It's like planting seeds of intention, yeah,
nurturing those qualities withinourselves that we want to see
blossom in the future.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Absolutely Okay.
We're nearing the end of ourdeep dive.
Okay, but before we wrap up,there's one final prompt in this
category that I want tohighlight Right what is one
thing you believe about yourfuture after recovery?
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Oh, that's a great one.
It's all about cultivating apositive outlook.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
It is.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Embracing the possibility of a brighter future
and recognizing that recoveryis not an endpoint but a
springboard.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Yeah, it's a launch pad for a life filled with
purpose, meaning and joy.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
It's about believing in our own capacity for healing
and growth, you know, andenvisioning a future where we've
not only overcome adversity butemerged stronger.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Wiser.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
More resilient than ever before.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
And that belief, that unwavering faith in our own
potential, is perhaps the mostpowerful tool we have on our
recovery journey.
It's the fuel that keeps usgoing when the road gets tough,
the light that guides us throughthe darkness and the foundation
upon which we build a brighterfuture.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
I think those are such beautiful words to end this
part of our deep dive on.
We've covered a lot of ground.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Yeah, we've explored the incredible power of recovery
.
Journal prompts.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
Right.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
And how they can help us navigate the emotional, the
mental and even spiritualaspects of healing.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
Stay tuned for part three, where we'll synthesize
all that we've learned anddiscuss how to make journaling a
truly transformative practicein your own recovery journey.
We've been on quite the journey, haven't we, exploring all
these recovery journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
We have.
I feel like we've really gonedeep into the why behind these
prompts.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Yeah, why they're so effective, the psychology behind
them.
But now, now let's getpractical.
Okay, how can our listeneractually make journaling like a
consistent and transformativepractice?
Speaker 2 (31:14):
That's the question, isn't?
Speaker 1 (31:15):
it yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks is
overthinking it.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
You know, people get so caught up in finding the
perfect journal or the righttime to write, yeah, that they
never actually start.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
Ditch the perfectionism.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
Yeah, just dive in, just get started, exactly.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Okay, but what about consistency?
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Ah, consistency.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Because you know life gets busy.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
It does.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
And it's so easy for those good intentions to just
fall by the wayside.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
Yeah, I think it's helpful to treat journaling like
any other healthy habit.
Okay, you know you're trying tocultivate.
Consistency is key, but itdoesn't have to be rigid.
Okay, you know, start small,maybe just five minutes a day,
yeah, and find a time that worksfor you.
Maybe it's first thing in themorning, or right before bed, or
even during your lunch break.
Right, the key is to make it apart of your routine.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Okay, make it a habit .
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Yeah, something you do without having to think too
hard about it.
Speaker 1 (32:09):
Okay, and what about those moments when you're
sitting down with a blank page?
Speaker 2 (32:12):
Yeah, the blank page can be daunting.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
It can.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Any tips for overcoming that?
Speaker 2 (32:17):
Absolutely.
First of all, remember there'sno right or wrong way to journal
.
Okay, this is your personalspace to explore your thoughts
and feelings, without judgment.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
And if you're feeling stuck, don't be afraid to use
those prompts that we've beendiscussing as a starting point
afraid to to use those promptsthat we've been discussing as a
starting point.
You know, pick one thatresonates with you and just
start writing, even if it feelsmessy or disjointed at first.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
It's like we're giving ourselves permission to
be imperfect.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Yes, you know, embrace the messiness.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Yeah, let go of the need for, for perfection and
just just let the words flow.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
And who knows, maybe in that process of free writing
we'll uncover some unexpectedinsights.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
Absolutely, it happens all the time.
You know, I think of journalingas a form of self-discovery.
It's like we're archaeologists,you know.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Digging through the layers of our own experiences to
unearth those hidden treasures.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
I love that metaphor.
You know it speaks to thetransformative power of
journaling.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Yeah, it's not just about recording our, our
thoughts and feelings.
It's about understanding them,learning from them and,
ultimately, using them to createa life that feels more aligned
more aligned with our, with ourvalues, with our aspirations,
exactly.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Well, as we wrap up this deep dive, I want to leave
our listener with a finalthought.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
OK.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Something to ponder as they embark on their own
journaling journeys.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
OK, I'm all ears.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Imagine this you commit to using just one of
these prompts each day for amonth.
Ok, how might that consistentpractice transform not only your
recovery journey, but also youroverall outlook on life and
personal growth?
Speaker 1 (33:58):
That's a powerful question.
It is, and I think it speaks tothe ripple effect that
journaling can have.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
It's not just about healing the past, it's about
shaping the present.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
And creating a brighter future.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Yeah, one thought, one feeling, one prompt at a
time, and remember you are notalone on this journey.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
There's a whole community of people out there
who are embracing the power ofjournaling, and there are
countless resources available tosupport you.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
That's so true.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
So keep exploring, keep growing and keep writing
your own story.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into the
world of recovery journalprompts.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
We hope you found it insightful and inspiring.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
We hope so.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Until.
Right, let's dive into something pretty powerful
today Recovery journal prompts.
We're going to be looking at 50of them.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
From a website called Listallion, and we're going to
go deep, you know.
Explore not just how to usethem, but why they're so, so
effective.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I think that's a really important distinction,
because a lot of times you'llsee lists of journal prompts.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
And they'll just be these like random questions.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
But what I find really fascinating about these
prompts is they're veryintentional.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
You know they're categorized, there's a real
method.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Yeah Well, Stallion breaks them down into five
categories.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
OK, each with 10 prompts, and the idea is to kind
of guide you through.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah 10 prompts and the idea is to kind of guide you
through different stages,different emotional landscapes.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Right.
So it's not just free writing,it's not random Right it's
structured.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Which is really helpful, because a lot of people
when they sit down a journalthey're like okay, what do I
write about?
Like page, right, yeah, sohaving a prompt can really help
you overcome that initial hurdle.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Absolutely Okay.
So let's jump into the firstcategory, reflecting on your
healing journey.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Sounds good.
One prompt that really caughtmy eye what has been your
biggest challenge in yourrecovery so far?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
That's a really powerful one, I think, because
it's so direct.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
It is.
It's almost like a dare yeah.
To confront it, to confront ithead on.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
And not just to name it, but to really analyze it.
Exactly Like why is this sochallenging?
Speaker 1 (01:33):
for me Right and get really specific.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah.
What are the specifics of whatmakes this feel so
insurmountable?
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Right, it's like, instead of just feeling
overwhelmed, you're kind ofbreaking it down.
You're shining a light on thosedark corners.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
You're getting it out of your head and onto the page.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
So there's another prompt in this category that I
love Write, about a time whenyou felt strong during your
recovery.
I think you know we oftenoverlook those little victories
right, we do.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
We focus so much on the struggles that we forget to
acknowledge those moments ofstrength.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Yeah, and they're so crucial to building resilience.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Absolutely.
It's like, you know, building amuscle.
Each time you experience thatstrength, you know it becomes
easier.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Reinforcing it.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
To tap into it again.
But what I think is even moreinsightful about this prompt is
if you can go beyond justdescribing what happened and
really dig into what made youfeel strong.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Was it a supportive person?
Was it a newfound coping skillRight?
Was it just a sudden burst ofdetermination?
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Because, by identifying the source of that
strength, you can start toreplicate it.
Right, that's a really goodpoint.
Yeah, because by identifyingthe source of that strength,
yeah, you can start to toreplicate it.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Right, that's.
That's a really good point.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, it's like almost reverse engineering.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah yeah, reverse engineering your resilience.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Love that.
There's a third prompt in thiscategory that I want to bring up
.
What is one thing you'velearned about yourself through
this recovery?
Oh, that's a good one you'velearned about yourself through
this recovery.
Oh, that's a good one.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I think it gets at the heart of self-discovery,
self-awareness.
Yeah, and it can be.
You know, it's almost like atrick question in a way.
Okay, because recovery forcesus to confront those parts of
ourselves we might've beenavoiding.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
So maybe you discover something you didn't know about
yourself, like an unexpectedstrength.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Or or maybe you realize, wow, I really need to
set boundaries, you know,protect myself.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
So these realizations are like I don't know, gold
nuggets in the messy process ofhealing.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
And those nuggets, even if they're uncomfortable
truths.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
They can lead to lasting change, not just in
recovery, but in life right.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
It's like those prompts are.
They're helping us sift throughthe rubble and find those
building blocks.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, that's a great analogy.
It's like we're rebuildingourselves.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Yeah, a stronger self .
Speaker 2 (03:55):
And speaking of confronting those uncomfortable
truths, let's move to a categorythat really tackles them head
on processing difficult emotions.
Okay, this one can be a littleintimidating for some people, I
can imagine, but it's reallywhere I think that the most
profound healing can happen.
It's like if we try to avoidour emotions, they just fester.
(04:18):
They don't go away Exactly so.
This category is all aboutbringing them to the surface and
dealing with them.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Okay, so one prompt that jumps out to me here what
is one emotion that has beendifficult for you to manage?
I think we all have at leastone right.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
We do.
It might be anger for somepeople, fear for others, maybe
even guilt, excessive guilt.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Right, it's like whatever trips us up, whatever
tends to get us stuck.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
This prompt gives us permission to name it.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Right and naming it is the first step, absolutely,
to taming it Right.
You can't solve a problem ifyou don't even acknowledge it
exists.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
So this, this prompt, isn't about, you know, dwelling
or wallowing.
It's about shining a light onthose difficult emotions so we
can start to understand andmanage them.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Okay, there's another prompt here I find really
powerful.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Write about how fear has shown up in your recovery
journey.
Fear is so sneaky, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (05:24):
It really is.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
It can be.
It can be so subtle, it candisguise itself.
It can be the voice that tellsyou you're not strong enough.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
You're going to fail or change is too scary, don't
even try.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Exactly, and so by, by journaling about your fears,
almost like putting them ontrial, you can expose them.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
To see that they're not rational.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
To diminish their power.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Yeah, I think that's key.
It's not about getting rid offear altogether, right.
It's more about learning todance with it.
Yeah, to acknowledge it's therewithout letting it control our
choices.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Exactly, it's about shifting from being ruled by
fear to respecting its presence,but still making decisions that
align with your goals.
I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Here's another prompt here that speaks to this really
well.
What is one way you can showcompassion to yourself when you
feel sad or discouraged?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So easy to beat ourselves up, right we do.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Right, especially when we're struggling.
Oh right, so easy to beatourselves up.
Right, we do Right, especiallywhen we're struggling.
Oh right, and this promptreminds us that we deserve
kindness, especially fromourselves.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, and there's a lot of research showing that
self-compassion is crucial forresilience.
It's not about ignoring thestruggle, right, it's about
responding to ourselves withcare.
You know, like we would a closefriend.
Absolutely, it's likeresponding to ourselves with
care.
Yeah, you know like we would aclose friend.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Absolutely.
It's like you know if yourfriend was going through a hard
time.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
You wouldn't tell them get over it, you'd be
supportive.
Yeah, you'd offer them alistening ear, a shoulder to cry
on.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
So why not do that for ourselves?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Exactly, and that shift in perspective can be so
powerful, right?
Speaker 1 (07:04):
It can be transformative.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, instead of adding fuel to the fire.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Of self-criticism, we're offering ourselves a
gentle hand up.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
It's like becoming our own best cheerleader.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Absolutely Okay.
I'm excited to move to thisnext category because it focuses
on something that's so crucialto lasting recovery Celebrating
your strength and resilience.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
We've talked about facing challenges.
We've talked about processingdifficult emotions.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
But now it's time to acknowledge the badass we are.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
For making it this far.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
I love that this category shifts the focus to our
inner strength Right, andthere's this one prompt that
really resonates with me what isone quality you admire about
yourself that has helped you inyour recovery?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
It's so important to celebrate those positive traits.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
It is.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
You know they often get overshadowed.
They do During tough times.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
And you know positive psychology.
Research has actually shownthat focusing on our strengths
can help us perform better inall areas of life.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
So by highlighting those qualities that have been
instrumental in your recovery,you're not just giving yourself
a pat on the back, you'reactually priming yourself for
future success.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Oh interesting.
It's like building a mentalinventory of your own
superpowers and then, whenyou're faced with a new
challenge, you can say hey,remember that time I did this.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
I can tap into that strength again.
You've done it before.
You can tap into that strengthagain.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
You've done it before , you can do it again.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Another prompt I find really powerful in this
category is right about a timewhen you felt proud of how you
handled a difficult moment inyour recovery.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
It's like creating a highlight reel of your own
resilience.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Right Like a collection of moments that prove
you can weather the storm.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Absolutely, and those moments don't have to be, you
know, huge epic victories itcould be something as simple as
you know choosing to use ahealthy coping mechanism instead
of an old destructive habit.
Right, it's those small winsthat add up over time.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Yeah, it's like building a muscle.
Exactly wins that add up overtime.
Yeah, it's like building amuscle Exactly Each time you
make a choice that aligns withyour recovery your goals.
You're strengthening thatresilience muscle.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Right.
And this next prompt, I think,really, really highlights that.
What is one thing you've donein your recovery that you never
thought you could do?
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Yeah, that's a great one.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It's a really powerful prompt for
acknowledging how far you'vecome, because I think sometimes
we get so caught up in the dayto day challenges that we forget
to celebrate those milestonesthat once seemed impossible.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
And those moments where you surprise yourself.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
You know, wow, I actually did that.
Yeah, I didn't think I could.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
It's like looking back at a mountain you've
climbed and being like, wow, Iactually climbed that.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It's so motivating.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
It gives you that fuel to keep going.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Absolutely, yeah, okay, ready to shift gears a bit
?
Yeah, I think so.
Let's explore the power ofpresence with this next category
Finding comfort in the presentmoment.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Okay, yeah, yeah, mindfulness and gratitude.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yeah, the dynamic duo of inner peace.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Love it and you know, especially when recovery feels
turbulent, these prompts feellike a soothing balm.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Yeah, you know, what's so interesting is that
these practices like mindfulnessand gratitude, they're not just
, you know, woo, woo, feel goodstuff.
Right, there's a growing bodyof scientific research that
shows they can actually rewireour brains Wow, to be less
reactive to stress and moreattuned to joy.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
That's amazing.
It's like we're givingourselves a mental makeover.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yeah, rewiring those neural pathways to support
healing and well-being yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Okay, let's dive into a specific prompt.
What is one thing you could dotoday to stay grounded in the
present?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
That's a good one.
It's all about, you know,finding those anchors to keep us
steady in the midst of thestorm.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Yeah, it's so actionable right.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
It's not just a concept.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It's actually finding .
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Like a practical step , something you can actually do.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah, and it doesn't have to be a grand gesture.
It could be as simple as takinga few deep breaths before you
start your day.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Or really savoring your cup of coffee?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yeah, and instead of just gulping it down, yeah.
It's it's those little momentsof presence that can make such a
difference.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
There's another prompt here that I find really
powerful Um right about a momentin your recovery when you felt
completely at peace.
Hmm, I love that one.
It's like revisiting thosepockets of tranquility, yeah,
and exploring what created them.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Yeah, it makes me think of those rare but precious
moments when everything justseems to fall into place.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
And it could be something again very simple.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Like a quiet walk in nature.
Yeah or a heart-to-heartconversation with a loved one,
or a moment of self-acceptanceyeah.
Like a quiet walk in nature,yeah.
Or a heart to heartconversation with a loved one.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Or a moment of self-acceptance.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
And by journaling about those moments, we're not
just reliving them Right, we'realso understanding the
conditions that that createdthem Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
It's like.
It's like we're we'redetectives.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Yeah, trying to figure out, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
What?
What creates that sense ofpeace?
Maybe it's connection, maybeit's a sense of accomplishment,
maybe it's just the absence ofinternal conflict.
But by understanding it we canstart to cultivate more of those
moments.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
It's like we're learning to speak the language
of our own inner peace.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Exactly learning to speak the language of our own
inner peace, exactly.
There's one more prompt in thiscategory that I want to
highlight, because it's sosimple yet so profound.
What is one thing you'regrateful for in this moment?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Oh, gratitude.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Yeah, I think we often take it for granted.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
We do.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
But it can be a real game changer when it comes to
shifting our perspective.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Yeah, it's like an instant mood booster, right.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It is.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Even when things feel tough.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
There's always something to be grateful for,
whether it's a roof over ourheads, a supportive friend, yeah
, the fact that we woke up thismorning.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Absolutely and focusing on those blessings.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Can help us navigate the challenges with more grace.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Yeah.
And it's not about denying thedifficulties, yeah Right.
It's about choosing to focus onthe good yeah, even amidst the
bad.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Gratitude is a practice.
Yeah, it's not always easy, butit's so worthwhile.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
So we've explored four categories so far, each
offering a unique lens, you know, through which to view our
recovery journeys, and it'sincredible how these prompts
encourage us to reflect, toprocess, to celebrate, to find
peace, all within the pages of ajournal.
But there's one more category,and it's all about embracing
(14:11):
hope.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
And the future.
Are you ready to step into thatrealm of?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
possibility, absolutely.
I think this final category iswhere the magic happens.
You know, we've we've done thework of looking inward, facing
our challenges, acknowledgingour strengths.
Now it's time to turn our gazeoutward yeah, and envision the
future yeah, it's like we'vegathered all the tools and the
wisdom from our past experiencesand now we're using them to
build a brighter tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Exactly, and these prompts are the blueprints
guiding us towards that vision.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Love that.
Okay, let's jump right in.
The first prompt that caught myeye is write about a future
goal that excites you.
Oh, I love that one.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
It's an invitation to dream big it is you know to
connect our recovery journey tothose things yeah that make our
hearts sing and and goal-settingsuch a powerful tool it is
right for motivation for selfdirection yeah, it gives us a
sense of purpose yeah anddirection, and when we link
those goals to our recoveryjourney, it creates this amazing
(15:18):
synergy where each step forwardin our healing also propels us
towards our dreams.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It's like weaving our aspirations into the very
fabric of our recovery, creatinga path forward that feels both
purposeful and empowering.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Creating a path forward that feels both
purposeful and empowering.
There's another prompt herethat I find really beautiful.
What is one hope you have foryour future self?
It's like an invitation to tapinto that deep well of inner
wisdom and envision the bestversion of ourselves.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Yeah, it's not just about wishful thinking.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Right.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
It's about understanding the link between
our present actions and ourfuture aspirations Right.
So by reflecting on our hopes,we gain clarity on our values
and our priorities, and that canguide our choices and shape our
path forward.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Right.
It's like planting seeds ofintention, nurturing those
qualities within ourselves thatwe want to see blossom in the
future.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Exactly Okay.
We're nearing the end of ourdeep dive.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
But there's one final prompt in this category that I
want to highlight.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
What is one thing you believe about your future after
recovery?
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Oh, that's a great one.
It's all about cultivating apositive outlook.
Right yeah, it's all aboutcultivating a positive outlook.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Right yeah, it's about embracing the possibility
of a brighter future.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
And recognizing that that recovery isn't an endpoint
Right, it's a springboard.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Yeah, it's a launchpad.
A launchpad For a life filledwith purpose and meaning and joy
.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
It's about believing in our own capacity for healing
and growth and envisioning afuture where we've, you know,
not only overcome adversity fuelthat keeps us going when the
road gets tough.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
The light that guides us through the darkness, wow,
and the foundation upon which webuild a brighter future.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
That's such a beautiful thought.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
And I think it's the perfect note to end this part of
our deep dive on.
Yeah, We've covered a lot ofground we have Exploring the
power of recovery journalprompts and how they can help us
navigate the emotional, themental and even spiritual
aspects of healing.
But our exploration isn't overyet.
Stay tuned for part two, wherewe'll delve even deeper into
(17:47):
some specific prompts anddiscuss how to make journaling a
truly transformative practicein your own recovery journey.
We'll be right back after ashort break.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
You know, as we were talking, I was struck by how
these prompts aren't just aboutprocessing the past, but they're
also tools for building afuture.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
A future that really feels aligned with who we're
becoming.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
It's like using the wisdom gained from our struggles
to create a roadmap.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
For a more fulfilling life.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
And I think that's why this next category we're
going to dive into findingcomfort in the present moment is
so important, because it's hardto build anything worthwhile if
you're constantly feeling shakyand off balance.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Yeah, you need that solid foundation.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Exactly, and that's where mindfulness and gratitude
come in.
They're like the groundingwires.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
That keep us steady amidst the inevitable ups and
downs.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Of recovery.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah, of recovery.
There's a prompt here that Ifind particularly helpful for
cultivating that sense ofpresence.
What is one thing you can dotoday to stay grounded in the
present?
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Oh, I love that one.
I love that one because it's soactionable.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
It is.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
You know, it's not just about the concept of
mindfulness.
Yeah, it's about actuallyintegrating it.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Into our daily life.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
And it doesn't have to be some grand gesture.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
You know, it can be something as simple as taking a
few deep breaths before youstart your day, or really
savoring a meal instead of justmindlessly scarfing it down.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Right, right right.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
And those small moments of presence can really
have a ripple effect throughoutyour day.
So, instead of being swept awayby you know anxieties about the
future or regrets about thepast, you're anchoring yourself
in the now.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Right right.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Which is where true peace and healing can happen.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
There's another prompt here that speaks to that.
Really well, write about amoment in your recovery when you
felt completely at peace.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
It always makes me think of those rare but precious
moments when everything justseems to fall into place.
Yeah, you know it could besomething as simple as a quiet
walk in nature or a heart toheart conversation with a loved
one.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Or even just a moment of deep self-acceptance.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
And by journaling about those moments, we're not
just reliving them.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Right.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
We're also trying to understand what created them.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
What are the conditions that foster that
sense of peace?
Is it a sense of connection?
Is it a feeling ofaccomplishment?
Or maybe it's just the absenceof internal conflict.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
But by understanding it we can start to cultivate
more of those moments it's likeyeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
It's like cracking the code of our own inner peace.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
Exactly Okay.
There's one more prompt in thiscategory that I want to
highlight, because it's sosimple yet so profound.
What is one thing you'regrateful for in this moment?
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Oh, I love that one.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Yeah, gratitude is so powerful.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
It's like an instant reset button.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
You know for our minds when we're feeling
stressed, overwhelmed.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Discouraged.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Yeah, discouraged Shifting our focus to gratitude.
It's like a breath of fresh air.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Yeah, it really can shift your perspective.
It's so easy to get caught upin the things that are going
wrong, right, but this promptforces us to pause, to
acknowledge the good, evenamidst the challenge, even
amidst the challenges, yeah, andthat shift in perspective can
be so transformative.
It.
Can you know?
I was reading a study recentlyabout the neurological benefits
(21:20):
of gratitude.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
And it turns out that practicing gratitude regularly
can actually increase activityin the parts of our brain that
are associated with happiness,with calmness, with social
bonding Wow so it's not justabout feeling good in the moment
, it's actually rewiring ourbrain that are associated with
happiness, with calmness, withsocial bonding.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Wow, so it's not just about feeling good in the
moment.
It's actually rewiring ourbrains yeah, rewiring our brains
for greater happiness andresilience in the long run.
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
And speaking of resilience, I think it's time
that we revisit that category,because there are a few more
prompts that I want to unpack.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
We talked earlier about the importance of
celebrating our strengths, andthere's one prompt here that I
think really gets at the heartof that Write about a time when
you overcame a fear orlimitation in your recovery.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
That's a good one, because it forces us to
acknowledge those moments whenwe were brave, even when it felt
terrifying.
It's so easy to focus on thetimes we stumbled we do, but
this prompt reminds us that,that we've also had some major
victories absolutely.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
And those victories, no matter how small yeah they're
proof that we're capable ofmore than we think.
You know, courage isn't theabsence of fear, it's taking
action despite the fear right.
And so when we acknowledgethose moments of bravery, we're
reinforcing that belief inourselves which is so crucial
for facing future challenges.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Absolutely.
There's another prompt in thiscategory that I think is so
important for building self-love, self-acceptance.
What is something you'velearned to appreciate about
yourself through recovery?
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Oh, that's a beautiful one.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
I think it's easy to get caught up in self-criticism.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
We do.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Especially when we're struggling.
But this prompt invites us toshift our focus to those
qualities that make us uniqueand wonderful.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
You know, one of the most beautiful things about
recovery is that, yes, it forcesus to confront our flaws.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Right.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
But in doing so it also helps us uncover those
hidden strengths.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
You know, develop a deeper appreciation for who we
truly are.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
It's like peeling back the layers of self-doubt
and judgment to reveal the goldbeneath.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Exactly, and that gold, those qualities that have
helped us through tough times.
They're what make us resilient,compassionate, worthy of love.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
Okay, before we move on to the final category, I want
to touch on a few prompts thatare particularly helpful for
processing those tougheremotions.
Remember that category wediscussed earlier.
Yeah, there's one prompt herethat I think is particularly
relevant for anyone whostruggles with anxiety or worry
Write about a time when you feltoverwhelmed by your emotions
(24:05):
during recovery.
I always think of those moments.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
When it feels like our emotions are just a runaway
train and we're just desperatelytrying to to hair on.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Yeah, it feels so chaotic.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
It does.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
But by journaling about those experiences we can.
We can start to make sense ofthe chaos you know.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Yeah, it can help us to to develop those healthier
coping mechanisms.
You know there's there's atherapeutic technique called
exposure therapy that's oftenused to treat anxiety disorders,
and while journaling isn't areplacement for professional
therapy, it can be a form ofcontrolled exposure to those
(24:46):
difficult emotions.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
So by writing about them, we're gradually
desensitizing ourselves to theirintensity.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
So it's like we're creating a safe space within the
pages of our journal toconfront those anxieties and
fears without feeling completelyoverwhelmed.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Exactly, and as we become more comfortable with
those emotions, they lose theirpower over us.
There's another prompt in thiscategory that I find incredibly
helpful for cultivatingself-compassion.
Another prompt in this categorythat I find incredibly helpful
for cultivating self-compassionwhat is one way you can show
compassion?
Speaker 2 (25:21):
to yourself when you feel sad or discouraged.
That's a crucial one, you know,because recovery isn't always.
You know rainbows andbutterflies.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
No, it's not.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
There are going to be moments when we feel sad or
discouraged or even defeated.
Yeah, and how we respond toourselves in those moments can
make all the difference Right.
So, self-compassion, it's notabout, you know, denying the
difficulty, it's aboutacknowledging the struggle.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
While offering ourselves the same kindness and
understanding.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
That we would offer to a close friend, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
It's about silencing that inner critic and replacing
it with a voice of gentleencouragement and support, and
sometimes that voice of supportis exactly what we need to keep
going.
You know, it's like givingourselves permission to be human
, to stumble and fall.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
And to pick ourselves up again with love.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Yeah With grace.
And to pick ourselves up againwith love yeah With grace.
And you know, what'sinteresting is that research has
actually shown thatself-compassion is linked to
greater resilience andmotivation.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
So by being kind to ourselves, we're not just making
ourselves feel better in themoment Right, we're actually
setting ourselves up for greatersuccess in the long run.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Okay, so we've covered a lot of ground today.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
We have.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Exploring prompts for reflecting, processing,
celebrating and finding peace.
But there's one more categorywe need to delve into, and it's
all about embracing hope and thefuture.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Ooh the future.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Are you ready to step in to that realm of possibility
?
Speaker 2 (26:53):
I am let's do it.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
Okay, so this final category is where we get to
dream big, you know, envisionthe life we want to create and
connect our recovery journey to,to those aspirations that make
our hearts sing.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
It's like we've been working on the foundation, the
framing, the walls of ourrecovery house.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
And now it's time to decorate, to add those personal
touches that make it truly feellike home.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
Love that analogy and these prompts are like the
interior designers.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Helping us choose the colors.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
The textures, furniture, the furniture.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
That reflect our unique style and vision for the
future.
Okay, let's jump into aspecific prompt that I find
particularly inspiring Writeabout a future goal that excites
you.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Ooh, that one always gets my creative juices flowing.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
It does.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
It's an invitation to think beyond the limitations of
our current circumstances andreally imagine the possibilities
.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
The possibilities that lie ahead.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
That lie ahead, yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
And you know, it could be a career goal or a
travel dream, or a creativeproject.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Or just a simple desire to cultivate more joy and
meaning in our lives.
And you know, what'sinteresting about goal setting
is it's not just about achievingthe end result.
Speaker 1 (28:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
It's about the journey itself.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
When we set goals that are meaningful to us.
It gives us that sense ofpurpose, of direction, which can
be incredibly motivating.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
It's like we're creating a roadmap, yeah, for
our future selves Exactly A paththat leads towards greater
fulfillment and happiness.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Yeah, and this next prompt speaks to that
beautifully.
What is one hope you have foryour future self?
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Oh, I love that one.
It's so open ended.
It is and full of full ofpossibility.
You know it's, it's aninvitation to tap into our, our
deepest desires and reallyenvision the best version of
ourselves.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
Yeah, and it's not just about wishful thinking.
It's about understanding thelink between our present actions
and our future aspirations.
So by reflecting on our hopes,we gain clarity on our values
and our priorities, which canthen guide our choices and shape
our path forward.
Speaker 1 (29:12):
It's like planting seeds of intention.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
Yeah, our choices and shape our path forward.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
It's like planting seeds of intention, yeah,
nurturing those qualities withinourselves that we want to see
blossom in the future.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Absolutely Okay.
We're nearing the end of ourdeep dive.
Okay, but before we wrap up,there's one final prompt in this
category that I want tohighlight Right what is one
thing you believe about yourfuture after recovery?
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Oh, that's a great one.
It's all about cultivating apositive outlook.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
It is.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Embracing the possibility of a brighter future
and recognizing that recoveryis not an endpoint but a
springboard.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Yeah, it's a launch pad for a life filled with
purpose, meaning and joy.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
It's about believing in our own capacity for healing
and growth, you know, andenvisioning a future where we've
not only overcome adversity butemerged stronger.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Wiser.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
More resilient than ever before.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
And that belief, that unwavering faith in our own
potential, is perhaps the mostpowerful tool we have on our
recovery journey.
It's the fuel that keeps usgoing when the road gets tough,
the light that guides us throughthe darkness and the foundation
upon which we build a brighterfuture.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
I think those are such beautiful words to end this
part of our deep dive on.
We've covered a lot of ground.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Yeah, we've explored the incredible power of recovery
.
Journal prompts.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
Right.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
And how they can help us navigate the emotional, the
mental and even spiritualaspects of healing.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
Stay tuned for part three, where we'll synthesize
all that we've learned anddiscuss how to make journaling a
truly transformative practicein your own recovery journey.
We've been on quite the journey, haven't we, exploring all
these recovery journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
We have.
I feel like we've really gonedeep into the why behind these
prompts.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Yeah, why they're so effective, the psychology behind
them.
But now, now let's getpractical.
Okay, how can our listeneractually make journaling like a
consistent and transformativepractice?
Speaker 2 (31:14):
That's the question, isn't?
Speaker 1 (31:15):
it yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks is
overthinking it.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
You know, people get so caught up in finding the
perfect journal or the righttime to write, yeah, that they
never actually start.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
Ditch the perfectionism.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
Yeah, just dive in, just get started, exactly.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Okay, but what about consistency?
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Ah, consistency.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Because you know life gets busy.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
It does.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
And it's so easy for those good intentions to just
fall by the wayside.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
Yeah, I think it's helpful to treat journaling like
any other healthy habit.
Okay, you know you're trying tocultivate.
Consistency is key, but itdoesn't have to be rigid.
Okay, you know, start small,maybe just five minutes a day,
yeah, and find a time that worksfor you.
Maybe it's first thing in themorning, or right before bed, or
even during your lunch break.
Right, the key is to make it apart of your routine.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Okay, make it a habit .
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Yeah, something you do without having to think too
hard about it.
Speaker 1 (32:09):
Okay, and what about those moments when you're
sitting down with a blank page?
Speaker 2 (32:12):
Yeah, the blank page can be daunting.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
It can.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Any tips for overcoming that?
Speaker 2 (32:17):
Absolutely.
First of all, remember there'sno right or wrong way to journal
.
Okay, this is your personalspace to explore your thoughts
and feelings, without judgment.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
And if you're feeling stuck, don't be afraid to use
those prompts that we've beendiscussing as a starting point
afraid to to use those promptsthat we've been discussing as a
starting point.
You know, pick one thatresonates with you and just
start writing, even if it feelsmessy or disjointed at first.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
It's like we're giving ourselves permission to
be imperfect.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Yes, you know, embrace the messiness.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Yeah, let go of the need for, for perfection and
just just let the words flow.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
And who knows, maybe in that process of free writing
we'll uncover some unexpectedinsights.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
Absolutely, it happens all the time.
You know, I think of journalingas a form of self-discovery.
It's like we're archaeologists,you know.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Digging through the layers of our own experiences to
unearth those hidden treasures.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
I love that metaphor.
You know it speaks to thetransformative power of
journaling.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Yeah, it's not just about recording our, our
thoughts and feelings.
It's about understanding them,learning from them and,
ultimately, using them to createa life that feels more aligned
more aligned with our, with ourvalues, with our aspirations,
exactly.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Well, as we wrap up this deep dive, I want to leave
our listener with a finalthought.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
OK.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Something to ponder as they embark on their own
journaling journeys.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
OK, I'm all ears.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Imagine this you commit to using just one of
these prompts each day for amonth.
Ok, how might that consistentpractice transform not only your
recovery journey, but also youroverall outlook on life and
personal growth?
Speaker 1 (33:58):
That's a powerful question.
It is, and I think it speaks tothe ripple effect that
journaling can have.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
It's not just about healing the past, it's about
shaping the present.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
And creating a brighter future.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Yeah, one thought, one feeling, one prompt at a
time, and remember you are notalone on this journey.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
There's a whole community of people out there
who are embracing the power ofjournaling, and there are
countless resources available tosupport you.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
That's so true.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
So keep exploring, keep growing and keep writing
your own story.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into the
world of recovery journalprompts.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
We hope you found it insightful and inspiring.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
We hope so.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Until.
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