I recently discovered a new-to-me blog by Karina Bania. This post in particular struck me. In it Bania wonders what she’ll remember about today:
“Will it be the eight am beach-combing and ocean swim? The almost running out of gas on the deserted road, or the ten am piña colada that accompanied the epic wave watching laziness. Will it be the five year-old attitude and the endless sibling fighting that defined the afternoon?
…
Or maybe the only memory will be this sunset swim. The one where summer and fall and my girls growing selves meet. Where seasons change subtly, days blur into one another, and so many beautiful moments in life are blown into the wind.”
This made me think of a journal prompt we can explore every day, something simple, in the evening:
What do I want to remember about today?
Our responses to this question can create clues into what fulfills us; into what helps us breathe better, fuller, deeper. Our responses can serve as reminders of our resilience or the power of play or paying attention to what truly matters. They can become important insights and wise lessons. They can become moments we simply savor and taste, again.
Maybe today you want to remember that you can nourish yourself, because you said no to a commitment. It was hard and you felt the chill of guilt for a bit. But you’re happy and proud that you stood firm.
Maybe you want to remember that your husband was happy to get groceries after he’d had a very long day and prepare dinner while you worked.
Maybe you want to remember that you need to take more breaks throughout the day, because you found yourself getting dizzy by your computer. Your body was trying to talk to you. But you plugged your ears. Which is OK because you’ll remember this moment and sink into self-care the next day.
Maybe you want to remember the small things that make you smile — clean, warm sheets; a juicy orange; a full hug; a bright sun. The small things that are enough and essential.
Maybe you want to remember the sound of your own laughter.
Maybe you want to remember the beautiful walk you took, and how your legs made that happen. (Thanks, legs!)
Maybe you want to remember that soul-soothing conversation you had with your best friend, the one where you stripped away all pretenses and showed your heart. And it feels good.
Maybe you want to remember that stepping on the scale only made you feel worse, and you’re oh-so ready to get rid of it. (And you do. And it feels good.)
Maybe you want to remember the quote you came across this morning, which felt like a salve to your aching bones.
Maybe you want to remember the lone flower that bloomed outside your apartment building, and reminded you that beauty is all around you.
Whatever you want to remember, write it down in your journal every evening. Make it part of your nightly routine. Write just one thing. That’s it. Or more if you like, of course. Write it so it’s always available to you. So all you have to do is flip to a page, and reread your words.
What do you want to remember about today?