Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back
everybody.
We're diving into somethingreally cool today.
A whole bunch of journalprompts to help us all boost our
positivity.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Oh, I love that.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Yeah, they were from
a blog post by Clara Penrose.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
It was on
Lestallioncom.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Lestallioncom.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Yeah, published on
October 17th of this year.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
And what I find so
fascinating is that these
prompts really highlight howjournaling is.
Ah, highlight how journaling ismore than just putting pen to
paper.
It can be a really powerfultool for self-discovery and
growth.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
You know, it's true,
and there's a growing amount of
research showing that journalingcan actually rewire our brains
for the better really yeah, formore positive thinking.
Wow it's not just about feelinggood.
It can actually lead totangible benefits in our
relationships, our ourresilience and even our physical
health.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
I love that and I
love that's what Clara gets at
with these prompts.
Yeah, they really get to theheart of what it means to
cultivate a positive mindset,daily gratitude, self-love.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Finding joy in
everyday moments and even
navigating those challengingtimes with a little more grace.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
She kind of created a
roadmap to a happier, more
fulfilling life.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, and she starts
with the foundation of gratitude
.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Uh-huh.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Which is so important
.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Absolutely, and
there's actually a fascinating
study that shows how gratitudejournaling reduces activity in
the amygdala.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
The part of our brain
associated with fear and stress
.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Oh, that's
interesting.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
It's like we're
calming our nervous systems by
focusing on what we're thankfulfor.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
So let's dive into
some of these prompts.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Okay, let's do it.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
One that stood out to
me was what is one thing you're
grateful for that happenedtoday.
It seems so simple, yeah, but Ican already feel my mind
shifting away from the usualto-do list worries and starting
to notice all the good stuff,even on a crazy day like today.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
You know, it's that
intentionality that is so
powerful.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
When you make time to
reflect on what you're grateful
for, you're training your brainto scan for the positive.
It's like building a muscle.
You use it.
You get stronger.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
It's not just about
big, life-changing events.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Another prompt that
resonated with me was what is
one way nature brought you peacetoday?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Oh, I love that.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
It could be as small
as the sound of birds singing.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Or the feeling of
sunshine on your skin.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Yeah, it's about
finding those little pockets of
joy and appreciation throughoutthe day, no matter how busy we
are.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Yeah, like a mini
meditation.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
A moment to pause and
reconnect with the beauty
around us.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
I love that, yeah,
okay, this next one is a little
bit different, but I think it'sso powerful.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Clara asks who is
someone in your life that you
are grateful for today?
Sometimes we get so caught upin our own lives.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
I know.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
That we forget to
appreciate the amazing people
that we have around us.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
And expressing that
gratitude to others can have
such a ripple effect.
Really, research shows thatwhen we share our appreciation
with someone, it boosts theirmood, but it also strengthens
our bond with them.
Interesting.
It creates a beautiful cycle ofpositivity.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
It's like a gratitude
chain reaction.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
So, listener, think
about someone who has brightened
your day recently, Maybe afriend, a family member or even
a stranger.
You could even send them aquick text message to let them
know how much you appreciatethem.
Love it Okay.
Moving on to the next set ofprompts, these focus on
self-love and confidence.
It's like Claire is recognizingthat you can't truly radiate
(03:27):
positivity outwards if you'renot feeling good about yourself
on the inside.
You can't pour from an emptycup, as they say.
One prompt that really made mepause and think was what is one
thing you love about yourselfthat makes you feel proud?
To be honest, sometimes Istruggle to answer that question
.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
But I know how
important it is to celebrate our
strengths and acknowledge ourown awesomeness.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
And that's where
self-compassion comes in.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Psychologist Kristen
Neff has done some
groundbreaking work on thistopic, really yeah, she even
developed a self-compassionscale to help people measure
their levels of self-kindness,common humanity and mindfulness.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Yes, that's so
interesting.
I'm already thinking about howI can incorporate some of those
elements into my journalingpractice.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
I think that's a
great idea and, speaking of
Neff's work, one of theseprompts actually aligns
perfectly with her research.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
It asks what
compliment have you received
recently that made you feel goodabout yourself?
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
So often we dismiss
compliments or downplay our
achievements.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
That's true.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
But this prompt
encourages us to really savor
those positive words andacknowledge our worth.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
You're so right.
I know I'm guilty of brushingoff compliments.
Sometimes it's like we havethis inner critic that's always
ready to jump in and tell uswe're not good enough.
But these prompts are helpingme quiet that voice and start
embracing the positive feedbackI receive, even if it feels a
little uncomfortable at first.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
That's a huge step
toward building self-confidence.
It's not about being arrogantor conceited.
It's about recognizing yourvalue and your unique
contributions to the world.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
And another prompt
that I think is really powerful
in terms of building self-beliefis what is a recent decision
you made that shows you'regrowing in self-confidence?
Speaker 2 (05:09):
What is a recent
decision you made that shows
you're growing inself-confidence.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Reflecting on those
moments, even small ones, can
really boost our sense of agencyand remind us that we're
capable of making choices thatalign with our values.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
It's about trusting
yourself, taking risks and
learning from your experiences,even if they don't always turn
out the way you expected.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
It's like those
prompts are encouraging us to
not just think positively, butalso to act in ways that align
with that mindset.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
It's like taking
those positive thoughts and
turning them into concrete steps.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Exactly, I'm noticing
a theme here.
Clara really emphasizes theaction, part of positivity.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
It's not just about
feeling good.
It's about making choices thatcreate a more positive and
fulfilling life.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
It's that combination
of mindset and action that
really leads to lasting change.
And speaking of action, thenext set of prompts focuses on
something that's so easy tooverlook in our busy lives
Finding joy in the everyday.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Oh, this is a topic
near and dear to my heart.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Oh good, I hear you.
Well, clara has a prompt thatcan help with that.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
She asks I love that.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
It's a great way to
reconnect with those passions
and hobbies that light you up.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Even if you haven't
made time for them lately.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
You know, I've been
thinking about this prompt and
it made me realize that latelyI've been treating those joy
inducing activities as rewardsfor getting everything else done
.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
It's like I'm telling
myself OK, once you finish that
report and answer all thoseemails, then you can relax and
read for a bit.
But maybe those activitiesshouldn't be relegated to the
reward category.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Maybe they deserve a
more prominent place in my daily
life.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
I think that's a
brilliant insight.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
It's so easy to fall
into the trap of thinking we
have to earn our joy.
But what if we reframed it asan essential part of a balanced
and fulfilling life?
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I love that
perspective.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
It's like giving
ourselves permission to
prioritize those activities thatnourish our soul.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And there's a growing
body of research supporting the
idea that engaging inactivities that bring us joy can
actually boost our creativity,productivity and overall
well-being.
Wow, it's like we're fillingour cups.
We have more to give to othersand to the world.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
I'm already feeling
more energized just thinking
about this.
And speaking of energy, there'sanother prompt that I think is
so clever.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Okay, what is?
Speaker 1 (07:37):
it.
Clara asks what was thehappiest moment of your week so
far?
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Oh, I like that.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
It's such a simple
question, but it really forces
you to pause and reflect onthose little sparks of joy that
might have otherwise slippedaway unnoticed.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
It's all about
cultivating mindfulness, that
ability to be present in themoment and savor those positive
experiences, and when we savorthem, we actually amplify their
impact and make them last longer.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
It's like we're
creating a mental photo album of
happy moments that we canrevisit whenever we need a mood
boost.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Exactly.
And speaking of revisitinghappy memories, the next prompt
is one that might bring out yourinner child Ooh.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
I love these.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Clara asks what is
one way you can bring more
playfulness into your life?
Speaker 1 (08:24):
I love this one.
As adults, we often takeourselves way too seriously.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yes, we do.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
I think we could all
benefit from a little more
lightheartedness and spontaneity.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
I completely agree.
When was the last time you didsomething just for the pure joy
of?
It without any particular goalin mind.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's a good
question.
I think I've been so focused onachieving goals and checking
things off my to-do list thatI've forgotten how to just let
loose and have fun.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
It happens.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Maybe I need to
schedule some time for a
spontaneous dance party or asilly game night with friends.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
I love those ideas.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
And don't
underestimate the power of
laughter.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
So true.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
It's a natural stress
reliever, mood booster and
all-around good medicine.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Laughter is
definitely the best therapy.
Yeah, okay, so we've talkedabout gratitude, self-love and
finding joy, but what aboutthose times when life throws us
a curveball?
How do we stay positive whenthings get tough?
Speaker 2 (09:17):
That's a great
question and it's something that
Clara addresses in the next setof prompts.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
These focus on
navigating challenges with
resilience and a positivemindset.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
I'm eager to hear
more about these because, let's
be honest, life isn't alwayssunshine and rainbows.
Nope, we all face setbacks anddisappointments.
The real test is how we chooseto respond to those difficult
moments.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Absolutely, and one
of the first prompts in this
section really gets to the heartof resilience.
Okay, clara asks what is onechallenge you've overcome
recently that made you stronger?
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
It's a reminder that
we all have inner strength, even
when we don't realize it.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
It's like we're
building up our resilience
muscles every time we face achallenge and come out the other
side.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
And even if we don't
overcome the challenge in the
traditional sense.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Maybe there are still
lessons to be learned and
growth to be gained.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Exactly.
It's all about shifting ourperspective from why is this
happening to me to what can Ilearn from this experience?
Speaker 1 (10:16):
And one of the
prompts that I think really
embodies this growth mindset iswhat is one way you've learned
to reframe negative situationsinto something more positive.
It's not about denying thenegative Right.
It's about choosing to focus onthe potential for learning and
growth.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
It's like finding the
silver lining even in the
darkest of clouds.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
And sometimes that
silver lining is simply the
realization that we're moreresilient than we thought we
were.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
There's another
prompt that I think is
particularly helpful for thosemoments when we're feeling
overwhelmed by challenges.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
No.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
It asks what helps
you stay positive when things
don't go as planned.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Oh, this is such an
important one, I know.
For me sometimes it's as simpleas taking a few deep breaths,
going for a walk in nature ortalking to a trusted friend.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Those are all great.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
It's about having
those go-to coping mechanisms
that help us regulate ouremotions and regain a sense of
calm.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
And identifying those
coping mechanisms is a key part
of building resilience.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
It's like creating a
toolkit for navigating difficult
emotions and finding our wayback to a more positive state of
mind.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
It's like we're
building our own personal
emergency kit for our mental andemotional well-being.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Right and just like a
physical first aid kit, it's
important to have a variety oftools at our disposal.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Exactly Because what
works for one person might not
work for another.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
And that brings us to
the final set of prompts, which
focus on creating a positivefuture.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Through goal setting
and intentional action.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
I love how she brings
in this future oriented
perspective.
It's not just about reflectingon the past or present.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
It's about actively
shaping a future that aligns
with our values and aspirations.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
It's like taking all
those positive thoughts and
insights that we've beencultivating and turning them
into a roadmap for a brightertomorrow.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
One prompt that
really sparked my imagination
was what is one dream you'reexcited to pursue in the future?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
It's so open ended.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
I love that one Full
of possibility.
You know, sometimes we'reexcited to pursue in the future.
It's so open-ended.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
I love that one Full
of possibility.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
You know, sometimes
we get so caught up in the
day-to-day that we forget tonurture those big dreams.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
It's true.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
And you know what
I've noticed when I do take the
time to connect with thosedreams, it energizes me and
gives me a renewed sense ofpurpose.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
That makes sense.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
It's like a reminder
that there's so much more to
life than just checking thingsoff my to-do list.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Absolutely.
And speaking of taking action,there's a prompt that really
resonated with me Okay, whathabits can you build today to
create a more positive lifetomorrow?
It's a reminder that even smallchanges can have a ripple
effect over time.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
You know it's funny.
I used to think that habits hadto be these big, life-altering
things, but lately I've beenexperimenting with incorporating
tiny habits into my routine,like starting each day with a
gratitude practice or taking afew minutes to meditate before
bed.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Oh nice.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
And you know what I'm
already noticing a difference
in my overall mood andwell-being.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
That's fantastic.
It's a reminder that progressdoesn't always have to be
monumental.
It's often those small,consistent actions that lead to
the most significanttransformations.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
To wrap up this
section, there's a prompt that
encourages us to think bigpicture.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
What does your ideal
future look like in five years?
I love this one because itinvites us to paint a vivid
picture of our hopes andaspirations.
Yeah, it's like creating avision board for our lives.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Visualization is a
powerful tool for manifesting
our desires.
When we can clearly see what wewant, it becomes easier to take
steps towards achieving it.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
So, listener, take a
moment to imagine yourself five
years from now.
What do you see?
What are you doing?
Who are you surrounded by?
And from now, what do you see?
What are you doing?
Who are you surrounded by?
And, most importantly, how doyou feel?
Let those positive emotionsfuel your actions and guide you
toward creating a future that istruly aligned with your heart's
desires.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Wow, this has been
such an inspiring deep dive into
the world of positivity.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
It has been fun.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
It's amazing how
these simple journal prompts can
spark so much self-reflectionand growth.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
I completely agree.
It's a reminder that we allhave the power within us to
cultivate a more positive andfulfilling life.
So, as we wrap up this episode,I want to leave our listeners
with a final thought to ponder.
We've explored a variety ofthemes today Gratitude,
self-love, finding joy,overcoming challenges but what
does positivity truly mean toyou?
Speaker 2 (14:35):
That's such an
important question to reflect on
.
Positivity is a multifacetedconcept and it can look
different for everyone.
Right it might be about feelingoptimistic about the future,
having a grateful heart,embracing your authentic self,
or finding joy in the simplethings.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
It's about defining
positivity on your own terms and
creating a life that reflectsthose values.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Exactly and remember
it's an ongoing journey, not a
destination.
There will be ups and downs,moments of joy and moments of
challenge, but by cultivating apositive mindset, you'll be
equipped to navigate life'stwists and turns with grace and
resilience.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Beautifully said.
So, listener, we encourage youto take what you've learned from
these 50 positivity journalprompts and make it your own
Experiment.
Explore and discover what worksbest for you, and remember even
small shifts in perspective canhave a ripple effect, creating
a brighter and more fulfillinglife, not just for yourself, but
for those around you.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Thank you for joining
us on this deep dive into the
power of positivity.
We hope you leave feelinginspired and empowered to create
a life filled with joy,gratitude and a deep sense of
well-being.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Until next time, keep
those positive vibes flowing.