Reflection is an important skill to have as it enables people to understand themselves and their surroundings more. Sometimes you can have an ‘off day and do not really know how to comprehend it. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself that may help you understand your day better.
What did you achieve today?
It is important that you do not focus on the negatives of the day and think what the good things you have achieved. Even if it something minor like doing the laundry or changing the bedsheets, things like that are a step in the right direction of feeling good about your day. This is not a cue to ignore any situations you faced in the day, but letting stress take over your mind and emotions can be unhealthy.
What did you eat?
Another important thing in life is eating, you need to make sure you are eating properly. It does not necessarily mean that you need to have eaten every single vitamin and mineral there is. However, it does mean making sure you have eaten enough to stay healthy, so you are not going to bed hungry. It is important that you have had a sufficient amount of nutrients so that the body can function properly. Did you eat enough today? If not, try to eat a little more tomorrow. If eating is a struggle for you, try one of those ‘Eat With Me’ videos, which are accessible on pretty much any social media site.
How much money did you spend today?
Many people suffer from money issues or do not know how to manage their money. Whilst it may be funny to joke about having an uncontrollable impulse to spend money, it can be a serious issue. If you have spent more than you should have, does that put any future plans at risk? Does that stop you from buying more food or using the washing machines in the halls? On the other hand, if you have some money to spare is there any future plans that the money could be added to?
How much work did you get done today?
It can be a little tedious to do work now as it may have been the only thing you could have done during lockdowns. However, even with places starting to open up again as lockdown restrictions ease, it is essential that you still prioritise your education. It may only be a paragraph on your essay or writing up notes from a lecture. By doing some work, you may have that feeling that you have accomplished something and feel better about your day. This is something to think about if you have been feeling like you are lacking in your work.
Did you take some time for yourself?
Having breaks in the day to take a breather and have some time is crucial. These moments in the day may help you from burning out. If you realise you have not been able to take for yourself then you know to take one for tomorrow. You might not even realise you haven’t eaten or that you are super stressed. Things you can do that classes as ‘me’ time:
- Reading
- On the phone to family/friends
- Taking a bath
- Watching what you want on tv
- Gaming
Did you have any problems today?
As important as it is to reflect on the good things that have happened, it is equally as critical. It will do you no good ignoring or delaying any issues you have. The healthiest and easiest thing to do is process how the problem occurred and how it can be solved. The quicker that you come to terms with what has happened and come up with a solution, the less stress you may experience in the long run.
If so, how can you resolve them problems?
Write down what you have to do so you remember and/or talk to someone about it. There is no pressure to rush and get a solution on the same day something happens but as stated above, it may lessen the stress. Even if you do not come up with a solution, at least try and understand how you truly feel about the situation. Then you will not be going to bed with mixed feelings and you may feel better about coming up with solutions the next day.
What parts of the day made you feel good?
Moving on from those type of questions, note down the things that made you feel good today. From the things that you achieved, the things your friends have done to the smallest things that made you smile. It is useful to take note of all the things that make you happy and feel good so you can continue to do them. The happier you are then the more you will benefit from it, emotionally and physically. Not many people realise how much being unhappy can impact them. So start prioritising yourself and your feelings!
Is there anything you wished you had done different today?
This is a valuable question as you can interpret it in any way you want. It could relate to the problem question stated earlier in the article or you could generalise it. The first interpretation could be, is there anything that you regret doing today? Is there any action, word or choice you made where you could have done something differently? Sometimes it is not what someone or something has done to you that can make your day rubbish, but something that you can do to yourself or others. The second interpretation is that this question can sum up all the questions above. Reflecting on your choices you have made may expand your awareness about yourself and if there are any improvements that you think need to be made, there are many days ahead to do so.