Become a Better You

Becoming a better version of yourself takes a lot of work. These writing prompts can help you explore yourself on many levels, and identify what you want to adjust to be better. Sharing is encouraged, and feedback is welcomed. 

[be-better-writing]

Due to sudden sickness, there will be no writing today.

I will double my writing tomorrow to make up. For now, enjoy pictures of Bean. ❤️

[be-better-writing]

Daily Writing Day 9 - 1/6/2020

What brings a tear to the eye? (It could be happy tears!)

This prompt is fitting for today as it is the 12th anniversary of my uncle being tragically from this world. I wrote a little fictional tale based on his memory that caused my little sister to break down and cry this morning. Between my little story and my sister being two states away crying over essentially my creative expression. Today has been rough. Today 12 years ago brings tears to my eyes, and so does this little story.

"The Tape-Man and The TapeMonster" An original story written by Brittany Lyn on December 29, 2019. Part two written on January 6, 2020. Dedicated to the man who taught me what tape was, how to pull it from the dispenser, and how to stick it to everyone and everything in sight. The man who created the TapeMonster. The Tape-Man. Uncle Jody Becknell. May he Rest In Peace while hunting and fishing every day in Heaven. You are so dearly loved and dearly missed each and every day, sir. Thank you for blessing my life, my heart, and my soul with your everlasting memory. One day, a little young lady was strolling along. Bobbing and weaving between the trees, skipping over roots, and jumping on stumps. Off in the distance, an alarm rang out calling for the hero that hides within. She ducked behind a tree within the blink of an eye, but what came back was quite the sight. No longer was visible her pink dress and boots, but her face covered in tape, her whole outfit, too. Out from the trees the TapeMonster leapt, and down the road it tumbled down to land on it's rear at the sound of that ferocious alarm. *~WEEEEEEEEEEWOOOOOOO~* that horrendous contraption screeched, but that wouldn't stop this little TapeMonster now. It burst through the door, spun the thieves up tight with a roll of simple Scotch tape. Just in time, the police arrive to find the crooks bound by simple Scotch tape, with a note slapped right on their face. "Never fear, the TapeMonster was here!" the note read. Puzzled and shook, the police are confused! The only thing here was the menaces bound by simple Scotch tape. "Where did this TapeMonster hide?" they questioned, but it had seemingly vanished, leaving only the tape bounds holding the robbers in place. But, just out the door, across the street, the tape covered monster was bounding away, off to the man who supplied her with tape rolls. Peeling the tape, piece by piece. The little girl laughed and laughed and laughed some more. She was back on the counter in Mr. Jody's pawn shop. He kept sticking her with tape while her imagination ran free. The TapeMonster rests having saved the day. The thieves were locked away in Imagination's Jail, and the police of Imagination Town went about their way, questioning the identity of this brave creature armed with Scotch tape. The little girl laughed and sat on the counter, and played more games of TapeMonster with Mr. Jody, her very best and dearest friend, who would stick her with tape, supplying the TapeMonster again. He stuck the tape on her again, and again, and again before the little girl's parents joined their fun. "Time to go, punkin'. Give Jody bye-bye sugars," her mother said softly, as the little one jumped into her very best and dearest friend's hug, and kissed him on the cheek, and saying "bye-bye." "Until next time, punkin'," Mr. Jody said with a squeeze. "I hope you bring the TapeMonster back to play next time." "I will, Mr. Jody!" the little girl exclaimed as she hugged her friend again. "The TapeMonster will always come to play!" she sang out with glee, as she stuck one small strip of Scotch tape to Mr. Jody's t-shirt. Jody walked his little friend around the counter to her mom and dad for their journey back home, and all 4 embraced in the strongest and warmest group hug. Farewells were said, and the little one strapped into her seat, as she clutched the surprise Mr. Jody gave to her; the little roll of Scotch tape that was just bigger than her hands. A token for the TapeMonster whenever she needs. "Never fear!" she shouted gleefully from the car. "The TapeMonster is here!" the two friends called out as they waved good-bye. "Until next time, punkin'," he said to himself, as his little friend and her parents drove off in the distance. "The Tape-Man will always have sugars, and hugs, and always an extra roll of tape for whenever a criminal causes chaos up in Imagination Town," he finished just as the tail lights faded off over a hill. He stepped inside the shop while peeling the tiny tape strip off his t-shirt. he taped it to a small piece of paper he scribbled on, and slid it in his wallet; a memory of a little friend with a wild imagination stored away for safe keeping. A little strip of Scotch tape on a small slip of paper that read, "Never fear, the TapeMonster is here!" A memory so pure that no one else could create but Mr. Jody, the one and only Tape-Man to see the real TapeMonster with his own two eyes... ~

Part 2~

The little three year old TapeMonster continued to grow and play and save the days for the next eight years, while getting the occasional grand visits from Mr. Jody, the almost elusive Tape-Man. Until one dark winter night, tragedy struck. Mr. Jody had left this beautiful life on Earth to spend eternity with God in Heaven. The now eleven year old TapeMonster was lost, clutching in her hand the gifted roll of magic Scotch tape with tears streaming down her face.

Days went by, and she placed a roll of her own magic Scotch tape under his carefully folded hands for burial with a note that read "Use in case of bad guys; a piece of the TapeMonster's bravery to keep you safe. Till we meet again, Tape-Man. Your spirit lives on."

Life went on with an overwhelming feeling of emptiness. The TapeMonster couldn't find any Scotch tape and Imagination Town was overtaken by the very many evil doers that she couldn't put away without the Tape-Man's supply.

Six years flew by before she realized, and she was more lost than the years before. Mr. Jody was in Heaven guiding his family through their lives, but it just wasn't the same.

Another six years go by in the blink of an eye. I'm 23 now, turning 24 in 6 months and 2 days. Today marks twelve years that Mr. Jody, who truly was more like an uncle than a friend, was taken tragically from this Earth, leaving our lives better for knowing him in his life, but also leaving the world a darker place without his love and charisma. If I drank, I'd have two mini bottles of Grey Goose and a roll of that simple Scotch tape sitting on the step beside me. One mini bottle to pour to the ground for tribute to Jody, and the other to enjoy myself before wrapping a small piece of Scotch tape around and hiding it and the roll in my hope chest to look back on and smile as time continues to pass us by.

Those twelve years really flew by, but when I stop and look back, it seems more like a lifetime had passed.

Jody, the TapeMonster is so very lost on her journey of life hunting for tape to stop the bad guys from taking over the world. God knows just how lucky I truly am, though. I am blessed to have known and loved you while you were here. I am blessed to have gained through you an adopted mom, an older brother, and a little sister that I have also made great memories with. God also knows it still hurts like hell to experience life without you here, too.

This story is a wild piece fiction based off of my memory of Jody. Memories from 20 years ago are fuzzy as all hell, but the feelings in my heart are just as they were upon experiencing them. I posted the first part the other day while hoping it wouldn't produce the same massive amounts of crocodile tears for Dana, Taylor, and Randy as it did for me. I haven't gotten any feedback from them yet, so I hope part two doesn't make them cry like I am while typing this. I just truly hope that the wild fictional adventure of the TapeMonster combined with the memory of Jody warms their heart knowing that we all still have memories of him to pick us up when we are down, and to carry in our hearts so his spirit lives on each day that lies ahead.

Rest In Peace to one of the greatest life influences to ever be a part of my world. We love and miss you so much. ~

My dates of writing this piece are written at the top with my little dedication, but the end is where it really tore my sister apart. I should have thought before posting it, or I should have read it to her myself. I'm not sure. Today has been a train wreck. Jody is watching us from the Gates of Heaven, though. I felt his presence today. Especially after I reminded my father of the anniversary. He actually brought home a moderate size bottle of Grey Goose without me asking. I haven't had a sip of that vodka, and I won't. Jody set something up for tomorrow for me, or at least that's the way it seems. I plan not to mess that up by being hungover.

Between this date, and the anniversary of my best friend committing suicide, I don't know which one kills me more.

[be-better-writing]

Daily Writing Day 8 - 1/5/2020

What is your life motto, or what words do you live by?

“If it's bringing you down, slowing you down, or standing in the way of how you live and grow, cut it off, and move on.”

I've had my fill of negative influences, emotional road blocks, financial drains, and metaphorical weights over the course of my short life of 23 and a half years. Each and every one of them I thought were my friends, too.

Two of my closest friends from grade school were draining me financially, running me down physically, and really stressing me out all the way around it. They figuratively were pulling me underwater and putting me in a hell of a hole. The day I had enough of it, I cut both of them off and explained why I was cutting them off. Granted, I could have chosen a more rational way of going about it, but blowing up about one of them knowing I hadn't watched the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy because I was working and spoiling it anyway, as well as the other quitting the job I got for him because he was being bullied and not going to authority like he was advised to... Well, it worked.

I quit talking to over half of my family because every time we spoke, they yelled and cussed at me because either I didn't drop out at 13 years old to become a full-time caregiver for my mom, or I wasn't going to college.

I feel that's the best way I can live considering 99.9% of people I have encountered in my life have had a negative impact on my life. There is no room in my life for outside negative influences. I've encountered enough crap, and still have more expected.

[utwo]

1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 42 o.k 9

© barrett jackson

[be-better-writing]

If I won the lottery, this would be the first thing I'd go find. Lawd have mercy 😍

[be-better-writing]

I got ahead of the prompts because I really need it...

A couple of the prompts suggest making a chart and a calendar to help get a routine to not have you so overwhelmed with household chores, and to help get your month planned out in the sense of bills so you don’t go broke immediately after getting paid. I made it easy for us all by making it ahead of the prompts because I really need a budget set up, and a cleaning routine. 

And I’m not talking about a dusting schedule, I’m talking a full blown laundry, bathroom, vacuuming, carpet cleaning, and car cleaning weekly breakdown. 

Full blown “How much is electric, and when is it due? Shit! I wasn’t counting on Amazon Prime coming out today!” calendar breakdown. 

I need it, I need it bad. So I went ahead and put one together for myself, and anyone else who needs a way to organize all of that stuff into a routine and budget. 

Here is an example of the 2020 calendar formatted to be in a nice pretty, colorful rectangle for the best results of positive mindset and success, as well as my week’s breakdown of the major chores that normally wind up bombarding me on one single day every week. 

I encourage you to save a copy of the 2020 calendar to use for yourself, as well as creating a weekly chore breakdown so no one is overwhelmed with insane amounts of housework that would mentally and physically exhaust even the strongest and most successful people that have their lives 100% together. 

[be-better-writing]

Daily Writing Day 7 - 1/4/2020

What do you love most about your partner? List them

My love is extraordinary for putting up with my shenanigans already, and for that, I am grateful. I choose this prompt today because this man puts up with me 24/7/365, and has never led me in the wrong direction. He’s always been the one to catch me when I crash and burn from a failed goal. He’s also been the one to tell me that even though I didn’t get it once, I can try again and again until I succeed. He’s never let me down, and constantly inspires me to keep going. So, this is for my HoneyBun. I can’t put everything into words, but I really don’t think I have to when it comes to you. 

His gorgeous blue eyes. That warm, inviting smile. The strength. His loving, supportive embrace. His strong, delicate touch. The way he lights up a room. His confidence. Social skills. The way he articulates his words. The sound of his voice. The passion he has for the design and build of his truck. The drive to take care of us. The little, sweet gestures of affection like picking a flower, or just holding hands. How he won't give up on something that matters, or that he's passionate about. How he always reminds me that I am not alone, and that I can ask for help. The love he has for his son. The insane amount of knowledge he has about everything. The way he inspires me by just being himself.

I love everything about my partner. He is my best friend, my life partner, my soulmate... Everything about this man inspires me to be better than I was yesterday, pushes me to accomplish my goals, and grounds me when I'm too busy getting lost in the chaos around.

My partner is the best thing I could ever ask for. He is my sweetheart, and I love him so.

[be-better-writing]

Daily Writing Days 1-6

Because I started this blog late, I am going to put my prompts and responses for days 1-6 in one post.

Personal Growth Daily Writing – Day 1 – 12/29/2019

How do you define personal growth? After defining the word, write about why it is important for people to strive to improve themselves.

Personal growth is the emotional, spiritual, and mental maturing over time using positive influences, creative and healthy expression, and skill exercising. It's important for people to strive for improvement because each and every one of us will experience difficult situations and times at least once in our lives. Whether it's during a serious relationship, work conflict, spiritual battle, family matter, or even a public conflict, we will have some form of difficulty understanding, accepting, or communicating. In today's society, no “relationship” lasts, family members are disowned due to lack of understanding the other's political or spiritual beliefs, religions are misconstrued, and professional courtesy is not provided. Why? Everyone is so wrapped up in what they deem is correct, and they fail to have respect to listen to the views of others. The problem today is that we don't listen to understand, but to reply.

My first goal for personal growth is to strengthen my communication skills to better my relationship with my love. I want to be able to wake up and tell him I am feeling depressed and need some help. I want to be able to tell him when I am in the mood, and what I am craving physically, sexually, emotionally, mentally. I want to be able to take the downs and let them go, for I cannot change them. I want to healthily strengthen my skills so that I can continue to feel the true and intense feelings of happiness, love, and passion that I feel every day already.

My second goal for personal growth is to expand my knowledge and professional skills so we can live our dreams of owning our own custom shop.

My third goal is to adjust how I react to negative stimuli. I want to be able to wake up and see a whole day of new and exciting experiences. I want to be able to run into something insignificant, and negative, and be able to move on without changing the course of the positive trending day.

Through creative expression, positive influence, healthy skill exercises, love and support, I believe I can achieve these goals of personal growth.

Personal Growth Daily Writing – Day 2 – 12/30/2019

Is it possible to help someone else with his or her own personal growth, or can people only grow on their own? Why or why not?

In my personal opinion, it takes both scenarios to successfully achieve personal growth. Not everyone shares the same demons, but many find comfort and inspiration of how to achieve personal goals by getting outside influences and opinions, or even consulting others battling similar demons and studying how they were able to overcome and achieve their personal growth goals.

Personal Growth Daily Writing – Day 3 – 12/31/19

Why is personal growth so important?

Personal growth is important in the aspect of how you are presented to others in a professional and personal aspect. You don't wish to be friends with someone who is presented to you as heartless, rude, disrespectful, and selfish; you want to associate yourself with kind, respectful, generous, and selfless.

Positive traits learned through personal growth give you a more desirable and appealing aura that is beneficial to you, which other people subconsciously pick up on. These traits, over time, can influence the people you are around to unknowingly grow themselves.

For example, church congregations help each other grow spiritually to become closer to God and serve Him daily. The church goers that practice in forgiveness, generosity, and acceptance influence the others who are unforgiving, selfish, and closed minded.

Personal Growth Daily Writing – Day 4 – 1/1/20

What is the ONE thing I can do to move forward with my goals?

One thing I can do personally to move forward with my goals is stop thinking so little of my strength and personal problem solving. Stop taking inconveniences (i.e. pain caused by my illness, or significant life changes) to the point of severe depression. Just because I feel bad doesn't mean those around me have to feel bad, too. Same point, but a different aspect, just because my body is physically hurting itself does not mean I have to feel like a bad person for not accomplishing something it will not allow at that point. Just because I am hurting does not mean I am incapable of still bringing pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction to life.

Just because I am mentally or physically not 100% doesn't mean I can't get out of bed, clean up, or live life happily. Just because I feel depressed or physically pained does not mean I have an excuse to be a royal pain, a stick in the mud, or a complete and total waste.

Spend 5 minutes at the most deciding how to let this inconvenience effect the course for the day. Do you hurt physically or mentally? (Physically.) Why? (Endometriosis flares.) Is it going to benefit you to dwell on this inconvenience for more than a few minutes? (No, assess all symptoms, take Excedrin, communicate inconvenience and solution, find alternate means of achieving the day's goals.)

DO NOT LET SLIGHT INCONVENIENCES DESTROY YOUR LIFE.

Yes, your physical and mental health matter and deserve recognition, care, and healing, but do NOT let minor inconveniences derail your whole day, week, month, year, or life. You are stronger than you think, and can overcome anything, no matter how intense and excruciating it may be. You can always do something to make it tolerable at the least. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and physical ailments. They all pop up at the worst times, but they can all be easily worked through if you just take the time to treat them. Those who matter won't mind.

Pain comes and goes. You only get today once. Choose how YOU will spend it.

Personal Growth Daily Writing – Day 5 – 1/2/2020

Do you think personal growth is difficult? Why or why not?

Personally, I find personal growth to be a task that ranges from easy as pie, to harder than hell. I say that because taking your worst traits and habits and turning them around is basically going against your first natural instinct and going the other way.

For example, a few days ago, it took every fiber in my being not to rip my landlady apart verbally for treating me like a child and threatening to tow my honey’s truck in the same sentence. Instead of telling her how much of a stupidly selfish and two faced bitch she was being, I told her “I'll pass the message along. Thanks, have a happy new year!”

Another example, I pay the electric bill, and my father pays the cable and rent. Today, after a week of telling him “I have a job coming up to cover the electric bill, don't worry,” he texted me saying “The electric company called me twice today.” I failed. Miserably. But he didn't realize, thank God. I flipped out on him for bothering me with already handled insignificance while I was on a job.

Not acting on your first instinct is one of the hardest things you can do, but as long as you keep the effort and the commitment, it will soon become simple muscle memory.

Personal Growth Daily Writing – Day 6 – 1/3/2020

Do you have a pet? Write about them!

I'm not feeling discussing “personal growth” today, I am more so in the mood for something a little more fun and loving today. We need to get one thing straight here; I don't have pets, I have children that are not of this species.

The oldest of my illegitimate children is a little red eared slider turtle. He is going to be two years old in March, and a very concerning reptile. His name is TurtleTank, and he really likes to pretend he is Rocky by climbing on his floating rock the WRONG way. I got TurtleTank two years ago when he was just a baby, the size of a quarter! I used to handle him a lot, and let him crawl on my stomach when I would get home from work, but I stopped when I changed jobs because I was so exhausted, I didn't want to fall asleep with him on my tummy. He will swim frantically against the glass in his aquarium at any given point when he sees me or Josh, and absolutely loves to get attention.

My youngest illegitimate child is a chihuahua. A spoiled, rotten diva. Her name is Bean, and she will be two in May. Bean is just as concerning as her brother, if not more. She loves cuddling, pepperoni, and watching her brother like he is a movie. Bean came to me when she was just a tiny puppy, only 7 weeks old. She was a birthday gift from a coworker, and between her and TurtleTank, I didn't give up on life in that moment. I was having a real rough time with people, work, and my home life, but they gave me the strength to keep moving forward and to not let rotten people get the best of me. Because of my little bundle of fur, and the splashy little reptile, I reconnected with my HoneyBun, and have a very beautiful life.

Waking up in the mornings to a floppy eared ball of fuzz in my bed, a spastic green blob on my dresser, and a blue eyed devil softly snoring beside me is a dream, and always a wonderful way to start any day of the week.

[be-better-writing]

Weekly Writing - Prompts List

Here is the list of prompts I am using for weekly accomplishments and reflection. I’m not using it on the same scale as the daily writing. There are only 26, so they are designed to be used more than once.

My weeks are going by the number of the day in the year, not month. Example, from days 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28, 29-35, etc. I would use these to reflect on adulting and your professional growth more than personal.

What goals (both personal and professional) did you achieve this week? What goals didn't you reach? How can you work to reach them next week?

How did your week feel? Was it rushed, relaxed, or overloaded? How can you make your week easier on you? Try to act on these ideas next week and reflect on the outcome.

What happened negatively this week? How did you respond to it? Could you respond differently for an alternative outcome?

Were you tired or refreshed this week? What could you adjust to help feel more refreshed through the week?

What happened this week that bothered you the most personally? Professionally? How did you react? Could it have been handled differently? Jot down the different ways it could have went, and determine how each scenario could have impacted you.

What happened this week that makes you feel proud, accomplished, and rewarded? How did you react to that? Were you the best you? List the emotions you felt, and reflect on your reaction and how you could have reacted instead to decide if you were your best you.

Describe the worst day this week. How did you handle it? Is there something you can do to prevent it from happening again?

Describe the best day this week. How did you react to events, and express your emotions and gratitude? How did it impact the rest of your week?

Do you feel like you have clearly communicated to other parties what problems or difficulties you may be having? Use this prompt to reword the way you communicate problems to respective parties. Make sure the issue is clearly identified, and provide ideas or suggestions of how to correct it. (i.e. spouse, boss, family member, friend, etc.)

What could you do daily to feel better and be better personally? How about in the professional aspect? Try smaller and simpler things in both areas of your life, and come back to reflect on how it adjusted both parts of your life.

Have you committed a good deed this week? What deed could you do at least once a week to help bring positive energy around? Make a list, and try to do one small act of goodness per day/week, whatever is easier to accomplish.

Did you feel emptiness this week? What could you do to fill that empty feeling? Make a list of things you enjoy doing in your free time. Has it been a while since you've done one? See if you can squeeze it into your day/week! Come back in a week and reflect on how it made you feel.

What happened personally this week that you wish could have happened differently? How did it change the course for the week? How about professionally?

What professional goals did you reach this week? What did you miss? Could you change the way you approach the goals?

A person could be overwhelmed with joy, or they could be overwhelmed with stress or sadness. Have you experienced these this week? What event caused you to be overwhelmed? If negative, what could you do to help alleviate the stress? If positive, do you think it is because of the conscious effort applied to personal growth? Pick the emotion apart and determine the cause, and what you can do to turn negative feelings around, and increase positive feelings throughout the day/week.

Besides professional and personal life events, we have a home and family to tend to as well. Has housework caused a negative strain this week? If so, use this prompt to make list of a few small household tasks to complete each day of the week to lighten your daily work load. Come back in a week and reflect how it worked out for you, what changes could be made, and how it made you feel.

Does it feel like your bills come in all at once and stress you by taking your whole paycheck? Use this prompt in Excel or OpenOffice Spreadsheets to make a calendar of when bills are due, when payday is, and try to plan your monthly budget. Don't forget to factor in gas, food, toiletries, and other household amenities. Reflect next week/pay period/month on how this may have emotionally and financially changed your week/pay period/month, what changes you could make to adjust the change for the better.

What new things did you not get to try this week? Try to map out your schedule on a spreadsheet/calendar, and see what spare time you have to do something new. Reflect next week on how it altered the emotional flow of the week and how it may have affected your mental health.

Did you try something new that negatively impacted your week? Reflect on it. Would you want to try it again for a different outcome? Use this prompt to point out the good and bad things that happened as a result of something new, decide if you would try it again, and give reason as to why or why not.

What has your family done this week to effect your day to day emotions? Is there something they could change to help you stay emotionally elevated? Is there something the family could do together to help you work through something? Explain. Try to talk to them about it, see how it goes, and reflect next week.

What did you do to treat/reward yourself for achieving your goals? Did your reward wind up causing you stress? Reflect on your chosen reward, achieved goals, and resulting emotional and mental changes.

What's going on outside of you that's impacting your weekly routines? What could you do to change this impact? Would it change your environment positively or negatively? Use this prompt to weigh your options, safely express your beliefs, and come to a healthy decision of how to bring end to the outside pressure.

What health (both physical and mental) decisions have you made this week? Explain, and set the next few weeks goals, and where you want your health decisions to lead you in 3 months. Come back after each anticipated date and reflect how you did, if you reached the goal, and how the results made you feel.

During the work week, were you dreading going to work? If so, what steps can you take to change your attitude towards work? What can you do differently? Try it, and reflect next week.

What happened (socially, politically, professionally, or personally) that you reacted positively to? How about negatively? Explain the events, how you reacted, and how the events and reactions made you feel. Have a friendly, intelligent debate with someone of the opposing view/side about it, and reflect on the conversation. How does that affect your views? Reflect on the experience of leaving your comfort zone and discussing the events and circumstances that separate groups in society, how your views may have expanded or changed, and how your views on the opposing group may have as well.

Emotionally, what outside forces impact your week? Positively or negatively? What can you do to keep yourself from being hurt or weighed down by a negative impact? Give an example from this week, how you initially handled it, and how you could handle it in the future. Does it impact your mental health? Explain, and give suggestions to help you deal with the impact that protect your mental health as well.

[be-better-writing]

Daily Writing - Prompts List

Here is the list of various prompts I am using. They are themed around positive growth, personal and professional. There are also a few that take a little break from growth, but still help with it. There are only 260 right now, but I plan to add more as submitted, and as I come up with new ones. Until then, you can reuse them as you see fit. Used prompts are bold with the date used next to them.(At the time of writing, it’s 1:09AM EST, so only 6 prompts have been used thus far. Also, I started before New Year’s, so I’m ahead of schedule anyway.) I will post the responses soon, and as I go.

How do you define personal growth?   After defining the word, write about why it is important for people to strive to improve themselves. 12/29/19

Write about a time when you were unhappy with the way you responded to a particular situation.   Then, explain what you would do now if you encountered a similar situation.

Think about something big you’ve accomplished in the past year—and write about how you managed to do it.

How can you tell when a person has grown?   Write about the qualities that people who demonstrate great personal growth show on a regular basis.

What is one area of your life that you would like to improve in?   What can you do to better yourself?  

What is one area of your life that you think you already excel in?   Write about why you are so good at that one particular thing, and how you can continue to succeed in that area of your life.

Write about someone you know who has shown great personal growth in an area of his or her life.   How did that person achieve growth?

Why is personal growth so important? 12/31/19

Is it possible to help someone else with his or her own personal growth, or can people only grow on their own?   Why or why not? 12/30/19

What is your best habit?   Why?

What is your worst habit?   Why?

If you could improve any single skill or talent you have, which would you choose?   Why?

Have you ever helped someone else to get better at something in his or her life?   How did you encourage that person?

Think about one way that you have grown over the past year.   How did you accomplish growth?

What is one thing you can do to improve yourself today?   Write about what you will do, and then write a second reflection tomorrow about your experience.

What is one thing you can do to improve yourself in the next month?   Create a plan for what you will do each week for the next month, taking care to think about the steps you will need to meet to reach your goal.

What is one thing you can do to improve yourself in the next year?   Think about what you would like to have accomplished in one year from now, and then consider the one action that would truly make the biggest difference.

Write about a time when someone complimented you for showing personal growth.   How did their recognition make you feel?

When you are working on improving yourself, it’s especially important to recognize your achievements.   Write a congratulatory letter to yourself about one thing you’ve been doing really well lately.

It’s also important to take care of yourself when you are focusing heavily on self-improvement.   Write about one thing you can do to help yourself relax and have fun after working hard.

As a way of growing personally, many people like to focus on growing and developing the relationships in their life.   Choose a friend or family member and write about how you could improve your connection with him or her.

What is the best way to form good habits?   What can you do to make good habits more likely to stick?

Make a list of 10 things that make you happy.   How can you experience these things more frequently?

What is your greatest talent?   How can you use it to help others?

Do you think personal growth is difficult?   Why or why not? 1/2/2020

What is the most difficult aspect of personal growth?   What could you do to make that aspect less challenging?

Think about the part of your life that you are trying to improve right now.   As you get older, how do you think your focus will change?   What other ways will you try to grow in?

In what area of your life have you grown the most over the past three years?   What do you think helped you change?

Imagine that you are talking to your younger self.   What accomplishment would your younger self be most proud to see that you’ve achieved?

Think about the experiences you’ve had while working to improve yourself.   What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned in relation to personal growth?   Why was it so important to you?

What is your life philosophy?   What can you do to ensure that you are living it every day?

What do I need more of in my life?

What do I need to let go of?  (Fears, toxic energy, toxic relationships)

What are some of my limiting beliefs that might be holding me back?

What are 10 things I am grateful for today?

What are 10 positive things about my life?  (Things I absolutely love about my life)

What are 5 ways that I can go out of my comfort zone this year?

What are 7 things I am really good at?

Write out 15 positive affirmations  (ex: I can achieve anything I set my mind to.)

If money wasn't an issue, what would my ideal life be?  (Where would I live, what would my career be, what would my family look like)

What motivates me to keep going? 

How would I describe myself to someone who has never met me before?

What are 3 of my life passions?  (hobbies/things that set my soul on fire)

Where is my favorite place to go? Why?

Who is my biggest inspiration and why?

Where will I be in 5 years?

What does my ideal day look like?

What unhealthy habits do I need to cut out?

What do I love most about myself?  (5 things)

What is something I've been wanting to do but have been too afraid to try?  (Why am I afraid?)

What are my top 3 goals for this year and how can I achieve them?

What do I struggle with the most? 

What are 5 words that describe me best and why?

How can I add happiness to my daily life?

What animal describes me as a person and why?

What do I need to forgive myself for?

What does success mean to me?

How can I show myself more love? 

What am I going to achieve next month?

What negative mindsets do I need to let go of?

Write out 50 things that make me smile.

What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

What do you most desire for your life and the  future?

What is the ONE thing I can do to move forward with my goals? 1/1/2020

List the things you SHOULD do versus the things you WANT to  do.

What is the book you wish you could write?

List 20 things that make you smile

Write about  5 things you are grateful for this week. In addition, you can write a monthly, quarterly and yearly gratitude list!

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Reflect on how you have changed since 5 years ago

Are you addicted to social media? Assess yourself  honestly and explore how it impacts your life and what changes, if any, you can make.

What is something that has impacted positively on your life?

How do you maintain balance in your life? For example, are there any changes you would like to or NEED to make?

If you were stranded on a desert island, what is the one thing and the one person you would choose to have with you and why?

Go for a walk with your phone/camera and take some photos. Afterwards, sit down and reflect on one of the photos you took

If you could relive an experience in your life, what would it be?

How was your day?

What does growing older mean to you?

How do you look after your physical health?

When do you feel happiest in your skin?

Where is your favourite place in the world? It could be a country, town, place, room in your house or something else!

Reminisce about your first love. P.S. It could be a car, a person, or something else

My favourite way to spend the day is …

Describe your perfect day

How do you handle a bad day?

Reminisce about your wedding day

What scares you?

How do you look after your  mental health?

Write about your top 3 goals. What are they, how will you feel when you achieve them, and finally, what will your life look like?

List the things you need/want to achieve in the next week

What do you consider your greatest professional success?

What do you consider your greatest personal success?

Who inspires you?

Try your hand and write a poem.

What advice would you give your 20-something self?

My  dream vacation  is

I feel amazing when …

What was the defining moment in your life?

Choose 3 photos of yourself across your lifetime and write about how you feel looking at them. On reflection, what were you doing in the photo and what you were like at the time?

Are you a city, a country or a beach person?

Write a 99 things you love list.

If you could invent something, what would it be?

What was the best concert you have ever been to?

If you won lotto tomorrow, what would you do?

What memory do you cherish the most?

Write about the place you grew up. How has it shaped you?

Pretend you are a tourist in your own town. Head out for a road trip with your camera, take some pics, and write about it

What makes you you?

What is the best gift you have ever given or received?

When you are feeling down, what picks you up?

How do you manage stress? Explore what has worked for you and what hasn’t

What are your top life hacks?

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? How has it shaped your life?

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Write about a cause close to your heart, and why it is so important to you

What is a habit you would like to change?

What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?

What is your favourite season and why

How does it feel to be the age you currently are?

Write about the first time you saw/held your newborn

Interview yourself or ask someone to interview you

What is on your bucket list?

I couldn’t live without …

What is your biggest weakness?

In what ways have you grown as a person this year? What/who has influenced you? And what have you learned?

What excites you about the future?

Write about a book, movie or song that has made a huge impact on you

What is your earliest childhood memory?

What is your greatest strength?

Name three things you couldn’t live without

What are you really good at?

Head out to a cafe or somewhere public, sit, and people watch. Write about what or who you see. Let your imagination run free. Write about the history of the people you see, what is happening, what they are thinking, what there future will be

Do you have a pet? Write about them! 1/3/2020

Write a letter to your son or daughter

I feel most satisfied when …

What do you wish others knew about you?

What was the funniest thing you saw or heard this week?

Do you have a routine or are you a person who hates routine?

What is the best advice someone has ever given you? Furthermore, what impact did this have on your life?

The most important things in my life are …

List your top wellness tips

Who do you look up to, and what do you admire most about them?

Write a letter to your teenage self

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

What is your life motto, or what words do you live by?

Write about something you have never told anyone about before

What do you want to be remembered for?

How will you commit to taking better care of yourself next year?

What brings a tear to the eye? (It could be happy tears!)

Of all of the books you have read this year, which has been your favourite, and why?

What does success mean to you?

If you struggle with procrastination, what do you think causes it?

What does it mean to live an authentic life?

What is something you would love to learn how to do?

Are you a spiritual person? Describe your beliefs and how they affect and define how you live your life.

My favourite childhood memory is …

Write the top 5 things in your life that are causing you stress. For each stressor, write what  you can do to change it

Name 4 little things that always make you happy

Do you prefer to read fiction or non-fiction? Why?

What friends are you most grateful for? List what makes each friend so special

What do you love most about your partner? List them

My favourite way to spend the day is …

What are the 3 biggest distractions in your life at the moment, and how can you go about reducing them?

Sit down and do a life audit. Work through every section of your life and assess what is working well, what isn't, and any changes you could make

List 5 things you love about your home

How has each member of your immediate family helped to shape your life?

Describe your dream life.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

Write a life admin list and then get to work on ticking those items off of your list!

My favorite way to spend the day is…

If I could talk to my teenage self, the one thing I would say is…

The two moments I’ll never forget in my life are… Describe them in great detail, and what makes them so unforgettable.

Write the words you need to hear right now.

Write about a moment experienced through your body. Making love, making breakfast, going to a party, having a fight, an experience you've had or you imagine for your character. Leave out thought and emotion, and let all information be conveyed through the body and senses.

The words I’d like to live by are…

I couldn’t imagine living without…

Make a list of 30 things that make you smile.

Make a list of the people in your life who genuinely support you, and who you can genuinely trust. (Then make time to hang out with them.)

What does unconditional love look like for you?

What would you do if you loved yourself unconditionally? How can you act on these things whether you do or don’t?

When I’m in pain — physical or emotional — the kindest thing I can do for myself is…

Name what is  enough  for you.

If my body could talk, it would say…

Name a compassionate way you’ve supported a friend recently. Then write down how you can do the same for yourself.

I really wish others knew this about me…

What always brings tears to your eyes?

Write about a time when work felt real to you, necessary and satisfying. Paid or unpaid, professional or domestic, physical or mental.

Using 10 words, describe yourself.

What do you love about life?

What can you learn from your biggest mistakes?

I feel most energized when…

Write a list of questions to which you urgently need answers.

What’s surprised you the most about your life or life in general?

What’s one topic you need to learn more about to help you live a more fulfilling life? (Then learn about it.)

I feel happiest in my skin when…

Make a list of everything you'd like to  say no  to.

Make a list of everything that inspires you — from books to websites to quotes to people to paintings to stores to the stars.

Explain what productivity feels like and means to you as vividly as possible.

How do you deal with feeling unmotivated? Are you someone who needs a lot of inspiration to get started on a task?

What is your priority in life at the moment?

Make a list of everything you'd like to  say yes  to.

What are your three biggest distractions, and how do/will you go about reducing them?

List three things you did today that bring you closer to where you want to be in five years’ time.

What is your biggest accomplishment over the last week, and what do you wish to do better over the next?

Name five values you strive to personify.

Talk about an obstacle you overcame today.

What is a habit you want to develop? How will it help your long-term goals?

What lesson did you learn from the last book you read?

Name five people who have inspired you recently, and explain why.

Identify your biggest time management mistake.

List five ways you have changed since this time last year.

Name the last three instances when someone gave you feedback. How did this make you feel, and what did you learn from it?

Give an example of when you helped someone else achieve one of their goals.

Discuss a big decision that frightened you initially, but paid off in the end.

How do you respond to setbacks and failure? Why? How would you like this to change?

Name one way technology enhances and hinders your productivity.

When was the last time you listened to your intuition, and what was the outcome?

Reflect on the happiest moment of your life. Explore where were you, what were you doing, and who were you sharing it with? Reflect on every detail.

What is your most treasured possession and why?

If you could run any business (and the business would be a guaranteed success), what business would you run?

How have you changed from the person you were 5 years ago?

When you think about your future, what do you fear the most?

When you think about your future, what do you hope for the most?

You partner is not giving you something you need. Do you tell them or suffer in silence?

Describe a time you felt especially valued and loved.

When’s the last time you used the word “busy” or “stressed out” about yourself? Is there a way that you could make things easier on yourself?

What have you been complaining about most lately? Is there a way to see that differently?

What brings you joy every single day?

What time of day are you most productive? Why do you think that is?

List the 5 people you spend the most time with, why, and how they’re affecting you — your behaviors, your thoughts, your life.

List the top 5 people you admire, and why.

What is your favorite song/musical piece and why?

What is an affirmation that can help you today?

What was your childhood dream and why? What happened to that dream and why?

Define the following: Success. Wisdom. Love. Faith. Truth. Courage. Joy

List all the things you think you SHOULD do, that you don’t want to do.

If you didn’t have to worry about money or people’s opinions, what would you do with your life?

If your house burned to the ground, what are the top 1–3 things you would want to save? Assume family and pets are already outside and safe.

A mental challenge I want to take on is…

How can you show yourself love?

List all the things you do that you shouldn't.

What is something you haven’t forgiven yourself for? How does it affect you now?

What is something I struggle with?

Create a forgiveness list of those who have done you wrong

How can you show yourself respect?

Name the top 3 emotions you are feeling in this moment and what causes them. If negative emotions, how can you turn them around?

List your top 3 fears and the reason behind them. Do you think you'll overcome these fears? Why or why not?

When do you feel the most at peace?

What gave you energy today? Drained your energy? Can you do anything to prevent the drain? Explain.

In what ways do you still need to invest in yourself?

Describe your environment. How can you improve it?

What steps can you take today to progress your personal growth?

What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten?

How do you remember your childhood? Does it hold impact on your present self? What can you do to change that?

Describe your self care routine. Below your current routine, describe your ideal self care routine. Are there things you can change?

Describe your morning routine. Are there other habits you can implement for a better day?

Are you living your life authentically? If not, what needs to change for you to live authentically?

Describe your social life and how it impacts your mental and emotional state.

Pick a memory that makes you feel negatively and reflect on it. How did it change you? Does it impact your day to day life now? If so, while you are reflecting on the memory, forgive those involved that caused pain, accept the pain it once inflicted, and leave it in the memory. While you're reflecting, give yourself the chance to see from the other people's point of view, and outside of the situation as well. Imagine what they felt during that moment, how they saw the situation. Define the lesson from that moment in life, and apply it to your life today.Pick a memory that makes you feel positively and reflect on it. How did it change you? Does it help you keep a positive mindset and standpoint? Describe the memory, and the things involved that make you feel good. Reflect how you've changed since you lived that memory, and what you would like to see come from the positive emotions and mindset.

Pick a memory that makes you feel positively and reflect on it. How did it change you? Does it help you keep a positive mindset and standpoint? Describe the memory, and the things involved that make you feel good. Reflect how you've changed since you lived that memory, and what you would like to see come from the positive emotions and mindset.

[be-better-writing]

Be a Better You With Writing

First of all, welcome to the blog. My name is Brittany, and I am not the best person in the whole wide world. I shout, swear, get angry and scared. I fall, break down, and make mistakes, even on good days. That’s just a part of being human. 

That’s what I want to talk about: Being Human. 

I know we all have moments, habits, and traits we aren’t proud of, but are we able to change that? Can we take our negative pieces and turn them around to be better? 

Yes. Yes we can. If one works hard enough, they can do anything, right?

This blog is themed to help an individual grow personally, professionally, basically anywhere in life that they want to change for the better, through writing. Sharing is encouraged, and conversation is encouraged. Details are not necessary. You can be as anonymous as you wish. 

I plan to post the list of writing prompts that I use, as well as my own daily responses. You can choose whatever prompt you want each day, request I respond to a prompt, and submit prompts that aren’t on the list. 

If you wish to be a part of an active group of people who openly communicate, feel free to send me your email so I can work out a group situation. :)

Please be patient with me, as I am slightly new to this, so I will be working bugs out for probably the first month of all of this. 

Happy Writing, and Happy Growing!