How Oprah changed my life…
Mother’s Day 2020 is when the YouTube gods decided I needed some life advice from Oprah.
That one video that popped up in my life changed how I have ended each and every day since then.
Journaling was always something I wanted to do. Why? I’m not exactly sure. My grandmother was incredible at writing EVERYTHING down, keeping things in order, etc. and perhaps there’s a part of me that was drawn to that. How special is it to open up a notebook and be able to reference the goings on, emotions and events of any particular day of your life?
The problem is, that ends up being a pretty daunting task for most of us. How much do we write, how often do we write, when do we fit this task in, etc?
Truth be told, I never had a successful attempt at journaling until I took Oprah’s advice. You don’t have to be an Oprah fan to start perk up when Oprah says, “This single practice has changed my life.” Interested? Take two minutes to listen to her advice here. . . (this isn’t the exact video I watched many years ago, but you get the idea…it’s still Oprah).
Why did this simple suggestion from Oprah make a difference? She gave me a manageable framework, a focus and permission to keep it SIMPLE. I have learned that when I don’t have my act together how valuable it is to replicate the practices of those who do. If Oprah swears by this, I was certain it would help me as well.
Here’s what it looks like for me….
Every Mother’s Day, I pick out a journal that is calling my name. Maybe it has a blank white cover that makes me think of a fresh start. Maybe it has a beautiful floral design that I’ll love reaching for at the end of every day. None of my journals match, but that’s what I love about my collection. For the next 365 days, I take 1/3 of each page and write out 5 things that I am thankful for that day. It takes me less than two minutes to do this… unless I start doodling or drawing, which does happen.
What might a common journal entry look like for me? Here are THREE samples:
SAMPLE ENTRY: ”Hubby got home safely from a trip / Kids had fun at the beach / Kiddo did his homework without complaining / Going to have lunch with Christine tomorrow / Mom helped with pickups today.”
SAMPLE ENTRY (rough day): “Finally starting to feel better / Candee brought me some chicken soup / Sitter came to entertain the kids for a couple hours / watched 3 episodes of Suits / I can’t wait to feel better”
SAMPLE ENTRY: “Evelyn and I both made it to gym and texted / Completed slides for work meeting / Checked on Shannon and answered Whole30 questions / date night / had a sweet conversation with stranger at market who noticed I was stressed”
SERIOUSLY, each of these takes me less of two minutes to write out at the end of a day.
Why is this simple practice has changed my life?
1- BOOSTS POSITIVE THINKING: The focus on gratitude throughout my day influences and increases positive thinking ALL DAY LONG. A simple conversation with a stranger or somebody holding the door open for me automatically becomes journal potential instead of a blip in my day. It trains my brain to notice and appreciate the tiniest of things on the most challenging of days.
2- REDUCES STRESS: My gratitude journal shifts my mind out of an anxious state in a few different ways. Ending my day by reflecting on what’s going well sets me up for a great nights sleep. I don’t know about you, but if I leave my brain to do what it wants, I can lay in bed for hours thinking about ALL. THE. THINGS. Also, taking the time to write out what is going well puts into perspective the petty things that are driving me bonkers. Last, when you go around your day identifying what’s going well, this empowers you on the most difficult of days to pause and ask yourself “What’s going well right now?” EVERY time I have done this, I immediately see everything differently. Does it eliminate my stress or make everything better? No. Does it help? 100%
3 - PERSONAL GROWTH: I don’t know about you, but it is SO incredibly easy to take myself for granted. What do I mean by this? For the 15 years of teaching, I left every single day thinking that I hadn’t done enough. I can’t help but think that if I paused to write out the best moments of each day that I’d have realized just how magical the moments were that I created for my students. How does a teacher who brings in a crockpot to make stone soup after reading the book not think she’s “enough” at the end of the day.
If you struggle with self-esteem, anxiety or feeling like you’re not doing enough, please give this practice a try for 30 days. For YOU. For me, it boosts positive thinking all day long, reduces my stress on the worst of days and helps me grow by recognizing what I have and what I bring to those around me.
xo, kk