October 18, 2024 • 11 mins
50 Journal Prompts For Those Reflecting on April
How does the changing weather in April affect your mood and productivity? Join us as we uncover the surprising ways the environment impacts our daily lives, including the often-overlooked seasonal affective disorder. We dive into carefully curated April-themed journal prompts from Listallion, designed to spark thoughtful reflection and inspire self-improvement. From understanding how a sunny day can lift your spirits to recognizing subtle shifts in personal growth, this episode is filled with insights that will help you appreciate the nuances of your everyday experiences.
In the second half, we redefine the concept of adventure, showing how it can be found in the simplest activities—whether it's trying a new restaurant or taking a different route during your daily walk. Reflecting on the April Insights section, we delve into why true personal growth hinges on active reflection and tangible actions. Discover the joy and mental health benefits of seeking novelty in daily life, and learn how to make meaningful changes that align with your authentic self. Whether you're a seasoned journaler or just starting out, this episode encourages ongoing exploration, reflection, and a deeper understanding of yourself.
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):
Hey everyone and welcome back for another deep
dive.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Today we're going to be exploring something a little
different.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
A collection of journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Centered around April .
From the website Listallion.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
No.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Before you click away thinking wait, I'm not a
journal person.
Right, Stick with us.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
These prompts are like perfectly placed
springboards, ready to launch us.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Into some really interesting reflections about
Thank you, and the timingcouldn't be better, even if
April feels ages away.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Think of this as a mental tune up, a chance to
uncover hidden patterns in yourlife and maybe even have a few
aha moments along the way.
Exactly and Lestallion, thewebsite behind these prompts,
has a really encouraging vibe.
They're all aboutself-improvement and journaling,
but in a way that feelsapproachable and fun, and the
prompts themselves are cleverlyorganized into themes which
(00:50):
we'll be using as our roadmaptoday.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
We won't be unpacking all 50, but we will be using a
handful as springboards for adeeper conversation.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Okay, so the first section is all about Averill
Reflections and it starts byasking about the impact of wait
for it, the weather, I know.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
That sounds basic, sure, but prompt number one asks
us to really dig into howApril's weather influenced us.
What do you think?
Is it really possible thatsomething as simple as sunshine
or rain can have that much of animpact on us?
Speaker 1 (01:20):
You'd be surprised.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
We often underestimate just how deeply
weather affects us.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
It's not just about grabbing an umbrella.
It seeps into our mood, ourproductivity, even our social
interactions.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
You know, there's a reason why seasonal affective
disorder is a recognizedphenomenon.
Our brains are wired to respondto sunlight and when we don't
get enough it can lead tofeelings of sluggishness or even
depression.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
But even without going into those clinical terms,
think about it how much moreenergized do you personally feel
on a bright, sunny day comparedto a gloomy one?
Speaker 2 (01:54):
I bet there's a difference.
Oh, absolutely For me sunshineis like an instant mood booster.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
But beyond just our mood, I'm curious about those
other areas you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Productivity and social interactions.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
How exactly does weather play a role there?
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well, imagine this it's pouring rain outside and
you're debating whether to go tothe gym or just stay curled up
on the couch.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Chances are that rain is going to make that cozy
couch seem way more appealing.
Yeah, and socially.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
We tend to be more drawn to outdoor activities and
gatherings when the weather ispleasant.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Sunny skies just seem to lend themselves to
connection and activity.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
That makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
It's like the weather sets the stage for our actions,
even if we don't realize it'shappening.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Precisely.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
It's all interconnected.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
And that takes us nicely to prompts four and five
in this April reflection section, which are all about personal
growth.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Okay, so we're shifting from external factors,
like the weather, to internalones.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Prompt four asks how have you grown personally during
April and prompt five followsup with did you discover
anything new about yourself?
Speaker 1 (02:57):
These seem simple enough on the surface, but I
have a feeling they couldunearth some really interesting
insights.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
What do you think?
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
And this is where the real magic of self-reflection
happens.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day
whirlwind that we forget to hitpause and ask ourselves these
bigger questions.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
We might be growing and changing without even
realizing it.
These prompts are like gentlenudges, encouraging us to
acknowledge those shifts andintegrate them into our
self-perception.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
It's like that, saying you can't connect the
dots looking forward, you canonly connect them looking
backward.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
But how can our listeners, even if they didn't
journal in April, use theseprompts to spark that
connection-making process now?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
That's a great question.
It's all about finding ways tomake these prompts relevant to
the present moment, For exampleinstead of focusing on April
specifically, think about thepast month.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Okay, how have you grown in the last 30 days?
What new challenges did youface?
What did you learn aboutyourself in the process?
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Okay, so we're basically swapping out April for
a more recent timeframe.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
That makes it feel much more actionable.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And don't get hung up on the idea of having a
definitive answer to theseprompts.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
It's more about the process of asking the questions
and seeing what bubbles to thesurface.
Oh, that.
Okay, so we've explored theimpact of the weather and dipped
our toes into the waters ofpersonal growth.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Now it's time to inject some fun into the mix
with the next section, AprilAdventures.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
And this one starts off by asking about you guessed
it your April Adventures, big orsmall?
Speaker 1 (04:28):
What I love about this prompt is that it
acknowledges that adventure iscompletely subjective.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Absolutely.
It's about shifting ourperspective and realizing that
adventure doesn't have toinvolve a plane ticket or a
perfectly curated Instagram post.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
It can be found in the everyday, in the seemingly
mundane.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Exactly, you could have an adventure simply by
trying a new restaurant in yourneighborhood or taking a
different route on your dailywalk.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
It's all about being present and open to new
experiences.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
I love that you bring up those examples because they
perfectly illustrate the pointthat adventure is often found in
the details.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
In those moments of exploration and novelty that
pepper our daily lives.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
And there's something so refreshing about that right.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
It's like a reminder that we don't have to wait for a
vacation to experience a senseof adventure.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
We can cultivate it every single day.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Precisely and on a deeper level.
This ties into the psychologyof finding novelty, which is
crucial for our well-being.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
When we engage in novel experiences, even small
ones, our brains releasedopamine, which is associated
with pleasure and reward.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
It's like giving our brains a little jolt of
excitement and keeping thingsinteresting.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
So not only is it fun to seek out those small
adventures, it's actuallybeneficial for our mental health
.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Absolutely, and you know, speaking of those small
pleasures, prompt number five inthis section asks about our
most memorable meal in April.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Now, I know this might seem like a bit of a
curveball.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
But stick with me.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Okay, a memorable meal.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
I'll admit when I first read this prompt.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
I chuckled a bit it felt so uh.
Specific.
Yeah, but then I startedthinking about it.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
The meals that stand out.
They're rarely just about thefood, are they?
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Exactly.
Food is so powerfully connectedto our senses to memory, to the
people we share those mealswith.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
A memorable meal is like a little time capsule.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Think about it.
What made that particular mealso special?
Was it the company, theatmosphere, or maybe a sense of
accomplishment, like you finallymastered that recipe you'd been
working on?
You know it's funny.
You should say that I actuallyhave a vivid memory of a meal I
ate all alone during aparticularly busy week last
April.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
It was nothing fancy, just a simple bowl of pasta.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
But I remember feeling this overwhelming sense
of gratitude in that moment.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Gratitude for the food, for a few minutes of peace
, for the fact that I'd managedto carve out a little time for
myself amidst the chaos.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
It was a powerful reminder that even the simplest
things can be incrediblygrounding.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
I love that you brought that up because it
highlights the often overlookedaspect of self-care associated
with food.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Even in solitude, the act of preparing and savoring a
meal can be incrediblynourishing, both physically and
emotionally.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
It's like hitting the reset button on your day, even
if it's just for 15 minutes.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Precisely, and that takes us to a different kind of
reset which is subtly woven intothe next section of these
prompts April challenges andachievements.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
It's easy to focus on the highlights, but this
section encourages us to examinethe bumps in the road as well.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
And I'm drawn to prompt number six in particular.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
What goal did you set for?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
yourself in April that you didn't reach.
It's so easy to gloss overthose unmet goals, to brush them
under the rug and move on, butI have a feeling there's a lot
to be learned from leaning intothose moments of well-perceived
failure.
I completely agree.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
And the language we use is important here.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Instead of failure.
What if we reframed it asfeedback?
Every unmet goal, every setback.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
It's an opportunity for growth and learning.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Okay, so walk us through that.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Let's say, someone listening had a goal in April
that they didn't quite reach.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
How can they turn that experience into something
valuable, something that propelsthem forward rather than
holding them back?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
It starts with curiosity, not judgment.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Instead of asking why did I fail, ask yourself what
can I learn from this?
Was it a matter of settingunrealistic expectations?
Did unexpected obstacles arise?
Or maybe the goal itself wasn'ttruly aligned with your values
or priorities at that time?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
So it's about digging beneath the surface,
understanding the why behind theunmet goal.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
And once you've gleaned those insights, you can
use them to adjust your approach, refine your goals or even just
offer yourself a bit ofcompassion for the journey.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
That's so important, that self-compassion piece.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
It's easy to get down on ourselves when we don't
achieve something we set out todo.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
But maybe those moments are less about failure
and more about recalibratingPrecisely, and sometimes those
recalibrations lead us tounexpected places, which brings
us to prompt number nine in thissection.
How did you help someone?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
else in April, this one always brings a sense of
warmth, doesn't it?
Speaker 1 (09:02):
There's something so heartwarming about reflecting on
acts of kindness, no matter howbig or small.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
It's like this, reminder that we're all
connected, that even thesmallest gestures can have a
ripple effect.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
And there's a scientific basis for that
feel-good factor.
In positive psychology we talkabout the helper's high.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Which refers to the rush of endorphins we experience
when we engage in altruisticbehavior.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Way, so helping others actually makes us feel
good.
That's amazing, it's true, andit's not just about a temporary
mood boost.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Studies have shown that engaging in acts of
kindness can have long-termbenefits for our mental and
physical health, includingreduced stress levels, increased
feelings of happiness and evena stronger immune system.
I love that, so not only is itthe right thing to do, it's
actually good for us.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
I'm starting to think these April prompts are full of
win-win situations.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Absolutely.
And speaking of win-winsituations, let's dive into the
April insights section, wherethings get even more
introspective.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
We've looked at external influences, personal
growth, adventures, challengesand even acts of kindness.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Now it's time to connect the dots.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Oh, okay, I'm intrigued.
Lead the way, All right, soEmpirical Insights this section
feels like it's where the rubbermeets the road.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Like we've done all this, reflecting Right.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
What do we actually do with all of these insights?
Speaker 2 (10:25):
That's the question, right.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
That's the question that we always have to circle
back to Right, because insultswithout action are just they're
just interesting thoughts.
They're just thoughts, rightyeah.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
So we have to figure out how to bridge that gap
between okay, I've had thisrealization about myself.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Now, what am I going to do about it?
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And I feel like this section in particular.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Like even the name April Insights.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
it's like OK, we're not just reflecting, we're
looking for insights.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Like.
We want to find those goldennuggets that we can then apply,
and I love that prompt numbersix in this section.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Asks about changes we might need to make after April.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Like it's acknowledging that this isn't
just a one and done deal.
Exactly, personal growth is aprocess.
It's a journey.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
It's a spiral.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
It's messy sometimes.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
But we're in it.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
We are.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
And I think that's a beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
So as we kind of wrap up our deep dive into these
April prompts, I'm curious isthere anything that's really
standing out to you?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
You know, I think the biggest takeaway for me is this
idea that reflection is not apassive activity.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
It's not enough to just think about these things.
We have to be willing to do thework.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
To take action, to make changes in our lives, and
you know it's not always easy.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
But it's so worth it.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Because ultimately, it's about creating a life that
feels aligned and authentic andjoyful.
So, to our listeners out there,keep exploring, keep reflecting
and, most importantly, keepdiving deep.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
We'll see you in the next one.
Hey everyone and welcome back for another deep
dive.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Today we're going to be exploring something a little
different.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
A collection of journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Centered around April .
From the website Listallion.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
No.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Before you click away thinking wait, I'm not a
journal person.
Right, Stick with us.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
These prompts are like perfectly placed
springboards, ready to launch us.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Into some really interesting reflections about
Thank you, and the timingcouldn't be better, even if
April feels ages away.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Think of this as a mental tune up, a chance to
uncover hidden patterns in yourlife and maybe even have a few
aha moments along the way.
Exactly and Lestallion, thewebsite behind these prompts,
has a really encouraging vibe.
They're all aboutself-improvement and journaling,
but in a way that feelsapproachable and fun, and the
prompts themselves are cleverlyorganized into themes which
(00:50):
we'll be using as our roadmaptoday.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
We won't be unpacking all 50, but we will be using a
handful as springboards for adeeper conversation.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Okay, so the first section is all about Averill
Reflections and it starts byasking about the impact of wait
for it, the weather, I know.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
That sounds basic, sure, but prompt number one asks
us to really dig into howApril's weather influenced us.
What do you think?
Is it really possible thatsomething as simple as sunshine
or rain can have that much of animpact on us?
Speaker 1 (01:20):
You'd be surprised.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
We often underestimate just how deeply
weather affects us.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
It's not just about grabbing an umbrella.
It seeps into our mood, ourproductivity, even our social
interactions.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
You know, there's a reason why seasonal affective
disorder is a recognizedphenomenon.
Our brains are wired to respondto sunlight and when we don't
get enough it can lead tofeelings of sluggishness or even
depression.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
But even without going into those clinical terms,
think about it how much moreenergized do you personally feel
on a bright, sunny day comparedto a gloomy one?
Speaker 2 (01:54):
I bet there's a difference.
Oh, absolutely For me sunshineis like an instant mood booster.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
But beyond just our mood, I'm curious about those
other areas you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Productivity and social interactions.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
How exactly does weather play a role there?
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well, imagine this it's pouring rain outside and
you're debating whether to go tothe gym or just stay curled up
on the couch.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Chances are that rain is going to make that cozy
couch seem way more appealing.
Yeah, and socially.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
We tend to be more drawn to outdoor activities and
gatherings when the weather ispleasant.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Sunny skies just seem to lend themselves to
connection and activity.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
That makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
It's like the weather sets the stage for our actions,
even if we don't realize it'shappening.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Precisely.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
It's all interconnected.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
And that takes us nicely to prompts four and five
in this April reflection section, which are all about personal
growth.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Okay, so we're shifting from external factors,
like the weather, to internalones.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Prompt four asks how have you grown personally during
April and prompt five followsup with did you discover
anything new about yourself?
Speaker 1 (02:57):
These seem simple enough on the surface, but I
have a feeling they couldunearth some really interesting
insights.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
What do you think?
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
And this is where the real magic of self-reflection
happens.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day
whirlwind that we forget to hitpause and ask ourselves these
bigger questions.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
We might be growing and changing without even
realizing it.
These prompts are like gentlenudges, encouraging us to
acknowledge those shifts andintegrate them into our
self-perception.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
It's like that, saying you can't connect the
dots looking forward, you canonly connect them looking
backward.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
But how can our listeners, even if they didn't
journal in April, use theseprompts to spark that
connection-making process now?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
That's a great question.
It's all about finding ways tomake these prompts relevant to
the present moment, For exampleinstead of focusing on April
specifically, think about thepast month.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Okay, how have you grown in the last 30 days?
What new challenges did youface?
What did you learn aboutyourself in the process?
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Okay, so we're basically swapping out April for
a more recent timeframe.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
That makes it feel much more actionable.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And don't get hung up on the idea of having a
definitive answer to theseprompts.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
It's more about the process of asking the questions
and seeing what bubbles to thesurface.
Oh, that.
Okay, so we've explored theimpact of the weather and dipped
our toes into the waters ofpersonal growth.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Now it's time to inject some fun into the mix
with the next section, AprilAdventures.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
And this one starts off by asking about you guessed
it your April Adventures, big orsmall?
Speaker 1 (04:28):
What I love about this prompt is that it
acknowledges that adventure iscompletely subjective.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Absolutely.
It's about shifting ourperspective and realizing that
adventure doesn't have toinvolve a plane ticket or a
perfectly curated Instagram post.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
It can be found in the everyday, in the seemingly
mundane.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Exactly, you could have an adventure simply by
trying a new restaurant in yourneighborhood or taking a
different route on your dailywalk.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
It's all about being present and open to new
experiences.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
I love that you bring up those examples because they
perfectly illustrate the pointthat adventure is often found in
the details.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
In those moments of exploration and novelty that
pepper our daily lives.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
And there's something so refreshing about that right.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
It's like a reminder that we don't have to wait for a
vacation to experience a senseof adventure.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
We can cultivate it every single day.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Precisely and on a deeper level.
This ties into the psychologyof finding novelty, which is
crucial for our well-being.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
When we engage in novel experiences, even small
ones, our brains releasedopamine, which is associated
with pleasure and reward.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
It's like giving our brains a little jolt of
excitement and keeping thingsinteresting.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
So not only is it fun to seek out those small
adventures, it's actuallybeneficial for our mental health
.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Absolutely, and you know, speaking of those small
pleasures, prompt number five inthis section asks about our
most memorable meal in April.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Now, I know this might seem like a bit of a
curveball.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
But stick with me.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Okay, a memorable meal.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
I'll admit when I first read this prompt.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
I chuckled a bit it felt so uh.
Specific.
Yeah, but then I startedthinking about it.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
The meals that stand out.
They're rarely just about thefood, are they?
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Exactly.
Food is so powerfully connectedto our senses to memory, to the
people we share those mealswith.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
A memorable meal is like a little time capsule.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Think about it.
What made that particular mealso special?
Was it the company, theatmosphere, or maybe a sense of
accomplishment, like you finallymastered that recipe you'd been
working on?
You know it's funny.
You should say that I actuallyhave a vivid memory of a meal I
ate all alone during aparticularly busy week last
April.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
It was nothing fancy, just a simple bowl of pasta.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
But I remember feeling this overwhelming sense
of gratitude in that moment.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Gratitude for the food, for a few minutes of peace
, for the fact that I'd managedto carve out a little time for
myself amidst the chaos.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
It was a powerful reminder that even the simplest
things can be incrediblygrounding.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
I love that you brought that up because it
highlights the often overlookedaspect of self-care associated
with food.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Even in solitude, the act of preparing and savoring a
meal can be incrediblynourishing, both physically and
emotionally.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
It's like hitting the reset button on your day, even
if it's just for 15 minutes.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Precisely, and that takes us to a different kind of
reset which is subtly woven intothe next section of these
prompts April challenges andachievements.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
It's easy to focus on the highlights, but this
section encourages us to examinethe bumps in the road as well.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
And I'm drawn to prompt number six in particular.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
What goal did you set for?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
yourself in April that you didn't reach.
It's so easy to gloss overthose unmet goals, to brush them
under the rug and move on, butI have a feeling there's a lot
to be learned from leaning intothose moments of well-perceived
failure.
I completely agree.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
And the language we use is important here.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Instead of failure.
What if we reframed it asfeedback?
Every unmet goal, every setback.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
It's an opportunity for growth and learning.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Okay, so walk us through that.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Let's say, someone listening had a goal in April
that they didn't quite reach.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
How can they turn that experience into something
valuable, something that propelsthem forward rather than
holding them back?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
It starts with curiosity, not judgment.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Instead of asking why did I fail, ask yourself what
can I learn from this?
Was it a matter of settingunrealistic expectations?
Did unexpected obstacles arise?
Or maybe the goal itself wasn'ttruly aligned with your values
or priorities at that time?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
So it's about digging beneath the surface,
understanding the why behind theunmet goal.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
And once you've gleaned those insights, you can
use them to adjust your approach, refine your goals or even just
offer yourself a bit ofcompassion for the journey.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
That's so important, that self-compassion piece.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
It's easy to get down on ourselves when we don't
achieve something we set out todo.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
But maybe those moments are less about failure
and more about recalibratingPrecisely, and sometimes those
recalibrations lead us tounexpected places, which brings
us to prompt number nine in thissection.
How did you help someone?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
else in April, this one always brings a sense of
warmth, doesn't it?
Speaker 1 (09:02):
There's something so heartwarming about reflecting on
acts of kindness, no matter howbig or small.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
It's like this, reminder that we're all
connected, that even thesmallest gestures can have a
ripple effect.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
And there's a scientific basis for that
feel-good factor.
In positive psychology we talkabout the helper's high.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Which refers to the rush of endorphins we experience
when we engage in altruisticbehavior.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Way, so helping others actually makes us feel
good.
That's amazing, it's true, andit's not just about a temporary
mood boost.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Studies have shown that engaging in acts of
kindness can have long-termbenefits for our mental and
physical health, includingreduced stress levels, increased
feelings of happiness and evena stronger immune system.
I love that, so not only is itthe right thing to do, it's
actually good for us.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
I'm starting to think these April prompts are full of
win-win situations.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Absolutely.
And speaking of win-winsituations, let's dive into the
April insights section, wherethings get even more
introspective.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
We've looked at external influences, personal
growth, adventures, challengesand even acts of kindness.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Now it's time to connect the dots.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Oh, okay, I'm intrigued.
Lead the way, All right, soEmpirical Insights this section
feels like it's where the rubbermeets the road.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Like we've done all this, reflecting Right.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
What do we actually do with all of these insights?
Speaker 2 (10:25):
That's the question, right.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
That's the question that we always have to circle
back to Right, because insultswithout action are just they're
just interesting thoughts.
They're just thoughts, rightyeah.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
So we have to figure out how to bridge that gap
between okay, I've had thisrealization about myself.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Now, what am I going to do about it?
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And I feel like this section in particular.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Like even the name April Insights.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
it's like OK, we're not just reflecting, we're
looking for insights.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Like.
We want to find those goldennuggets that we can then apply,
and I love that prompt numbersix in this section.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Asks about changes we might need to make after April.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Like it's acknowledging that this isn't
just a one and done deal.
Exactly, personal growth is aprocess.
It's a journey.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
It's a spiral.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
It's messy sometimes.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
But we're in it.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
We are.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
And I think that's a beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
So as we kind of wrap up our deep dive into these
April prompts, I'm curious isthere anything that's really
standing out to you?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
You know, I think the biggest takeaway for me is this
idea that reflection is not apassive activity.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
It's not enough to just think about these things.
We have to be willing to do thework.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
To take action, to make changes in our lives, and
you know it's not always easy.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
But it's so worth it.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Because ultimately, it's about creating a life that
feels aligned and authentic andjoyful.
So, to our listeners out there,keep exploring, keep reflecting
and, most importantly, keepdiving deep.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
We'll see you in the next one.
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