Hi y’all,
I was a nun for eight years, and my life in the convent offered a lot of space and time to go inward for profound self-reflection.
As a nun, I lived in prayer, reflection, and service for most of my life. The time of self-reflection was not about naval-gazing or ego-tripping, but rather, a time to slow down, pause, reflect, and work through the depths of your soul, everything about who you are.
Some things got in the way of me - distractions, a racing mind, and perfectionistic tendencies. All of that was part of my soul work as a nun, as well as my strengths and weaknesses. I still do that soulful reflection today.
As a nun and even today, I realize that personal growth takes time throughout your life.
It's one of the gifts I learned as a nun. You need that space to deepen your self-knowledge, self-love, and self-forgiveness. This cycle of growth is a lifetime of soulful reflection.
One of the tools that helped me as a nun was journaling.
I have been journaling consistently since high school when the nuns taught me the value of writing things down while reflecting. I've been doing that ever since, keeping a journal throughout my life to deepen my self-awareness and growth.
Because life today can get jumbled by the multitude of distractions.
Living in a convent taught me that our minds can be like cluttered rooms.
We have to pause and clear that chaos within us now and then to get perspective on who we are and what we do.
Most people start their day wrestling with a tornado of thoughts, making it difficult to focus on what truly matters. Journaling can help you clear the chaos within you.
The writing doesn’t have to be long or complicated. A few mindful prompts can clear the mental clutter and ground you before the day sweeps you away.
Here are three journal prompts I learned as a nun that have stuck with me and can help you clear the chaos within you to be focused and present in your day.
Journal Prompt #1. The Riverbank Observer
Start by drawing a flowing river at the top of your page.
As thoughts arise, write them down as if you were sitting on the bank, watching leaves float by on the current. Don't chase them; don't fight them. Just let them be without judgment.
When I first tried this, I noticed how many anxious thoughts replayed the same worry in different scenarios.
Journal Prompt #2. The Gratitude Gateway
Before listing what you're grateful for, write, "This moment contains everything."
Now, look around your immediate environment and note three things you usually overlook—the warmth of sunlight on your desk, the steady rhythm of your breath, and the comfort of your chair.
This exercise helps you find abundance in the ordinary and makes gratitude feel genuine.
Journal Prompt #3. The Weather Report
Write today's date, then: "Internal weather report:"
Describe your emotional state like a meteorologist. Are you experiencing high-pressure anxiety with scattered bursts of excitement? Low-lying fog of uncertainty?
This practice distances you from your emotions, helping you remember that, like weather, no emotional state is lasting.
That's it.
Three simple journal prompts to help you clear the chaos within you:
The Riverbank Observer - naming and noticing without judgment.
The Gratitude Gateway - noticing what you often overlook.
The Internal Weather Report - reminding yourself that no emotional state is lasting.
Remember, take what you like and leave the rest.
Thanks for listening. I appreciate you being part of the journey.
Have a mindful week, and we’ll see you next time.
Denise
I'm a former nun who, at midlife, pivoted to corporate life with zero business experience and became an award-winning program manager. I want to help you find stillness in the ball pit bouncy house of life.
Mindfulness begins with tiny steps toward being present. You can start micro-mindfulness right now without adding one more thing to your calendar. Join my newsletter, and I will share simple micro-mindfulness tips every week that you can start today.
In my book Burn Without Burning Out: 7 Micro-Mindfulness Habits for Clear Thinking, Decisive Action, and Recovery from Burnout, I share other skills I learned as a nun. Grab your copy today.
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