Try Writing in a "Want Journal"
You can listen to this post on my podcast: Journal with Jenny
What have you been reflecting about lately? Have you thought about your life and how you want to live?
I often wonder about the end of my life and if I’ll feel like I lived it in the best possible way, so a Want Journal sounded like the perfect way to be reflective now instead of waiting until I’m 95.
What do you want?
I’m not talking about material things although that could be included. I mean - What do you want for yourself - this month, this year, or even over the course of your life?
Choose whatever timeframe you wish and ask: What do I want over the next _________?
I would write: What do I want over the next three months?
*I want to be more fit.
*I want to be a good mom.
*I want to take an online painting class.
*I want to feel supported.
*I want more time to relax.
There’s more but this is a start.
Next, you must get specific about the wants. Visualize it or picture it in your mind and then write about it in as much detail as possible. It’s helpful to also include how it specifically feels to you.
If I wrote about wanting to be more fit, I would look into the future to describe what that looks like and feels like to be in my new fit body. And oftentimes when you are honest about what you want, it will mean giving up things you enjoy or even people who don’t fit what you want in life. If I want to be fit, I need to cut back on eating (something I love) and be mindful when I’m out socially (luckily I don’t need to work about that right now).
Now for the tricky part. HOW are you going to get what you want? As well as, WHO is going to make that happen or where will you get that support?
If I think about wanting to get fit, the “how” of getting that done is to eat healthy and exercise. “Who” is going to make that happen? Me! But I could also get inspired from healthy friends by asking them for tips or even watching their social media posts including my favorites, Shannon H., Terra, and Shannon O.
When I write this in my Want Journal, I would include more details, but you get the idea.
Here’s a note of caution for you. Be careful about choosing “who” you expect to fulfill your wants. This could set you up for disappointment and a feeling of resentment. For example, I like to read fictional books, but my husband likes nonfiction. I can’t expect him to listen to me talk endlessly about the books I’ve just read and want to gush about. I save that for my book club groups. (I’m in three now, and I love it!) Another example could be that I may want to paint the living room. Since this is not a want for my husband, he will have no interest in helping; therefore, I will need to ask for someone else to help me. Rather than get frustrated with my husband, I can accept that painting the living room is not on his list of wants, so I cannot expect him to help me do it. So bottom line - be honest with yourself about your wants and who will help you along with how you will make them a reality.
A Want Journal can be a productive tool to evaluate your life and get reflective about what you want out of it. I for one want to say I lived in a way that was true to myself and who or what I valued most. You could write in your Want Journal once a week, once a month, or once a year but review it often or post a list somewhere visible.
Share in the comments if you are going to try a Want Journal and if you did, how was it? Do you have any insights or new goals? I would love to hear about what you want most out of life.
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