Do you ever pause to take stock of where you are and where you’d like to be? This where may not necessarily be about geographic location. Rather, where can be a metaphor, inviting us to pause and ask ourselves, “Where am I in my life, and what might be next for me?”
Here are a few ideas for self-inquiry in the laboratory of your own personal experience. Perhaps you’ll find one or more of these inquiries of interest as you contemplate where you are and where you’d like to be:
- How am I currently showing up in my life, at work, and in my communities, and how is that working for me?
- What have been the highlights of this year from my vantage point? Why do I view these as highlights?
- What aspects of my life are most important and meaningful to me?
- What are my current priorities? What, if anything, has shifted about my priorities in the last year? Why?
- What do I want to let go of?
- What would I like to shift about my priorities that I have some measure of control or influence over? If change is not possible, what else might be possible?
- Which of my strengths can I leverage to help me accomplish my objectives (Niemiec, 2018)?
- How can I experience greater flourishing in my daily life (Kaufman, 2020; Seligman, 2011; Fredrickson, 2009)?
- How can I connect with others to bring greater positivity to my life?
- How might I improve my self-compassion and compassion for others in some way (Neff, 2011)?
- How can I experience greater meaning in my life?
- What is one way I can make a positive difference in my family, community, and/or the world?
What inquiries would you like to consider for yourself—from these ideas or other self-inquiries that you find of interest?
If you decide to explore where you are and where you’d like to be in your life, you may want to find some time to pause, offering yourself some quiet internal spaciousness as part of the process. Writing and seeing your thoughts on paper can be a great strategy to help you make sense of your ideas and experience (Pennebaker, 2016).
While some people find it helpful to contemplate and write down their thoughts and ideas, others simply prefer to contemplate. Some people may find it helpful to explore their questions and ideas with a trusted loved one, friend, or group.
The choices are yours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. No content is a substitute for consulting with a qualified mental health or healthcare professional.
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