Writing My Way Back to Myself: Clarity, Boundaries, and Bold New Dreams
For years, I lived at a pace that felt unsustainable. Between the demands of work, family, and relationships, I found myself burned out, disconnected from my own needs, and unsure what I truly wanted. It wasn’t until I began a consistent journaling practice that I started to uncover the clarity I’d been searching for.
Through journaling, I asked myself difficult questions: What do I want my life to look like? What’s getting in the way? What beliefs am I holding that no longer serve me? The answers didn’t come overnight, but over time, the pages became a safe space for me to process my divorce, acknowledge my exhaustion, and envision a life that felt aligned and fulfilling.
Journaling helped me identify the limiting beliefs that had been quietly directing my choices. These beliefs about my worth, my responsibilities, and my right to say “no” were holding me back and I was playing small in my own life. Once I could see the beliefs that were getting in my way, I could challenge them. Slowly, I began to redesign my life: establishing boundaries in relationships, creating space for self-care, and recommitting to my personal growth.
This work wasn’t just about saying “no” to what drained me, it was about saying “yes” to what nurtured me. My own experiences inspired the workshops I now lead: teaching others how to set healthy boundaries, envision their best lives, and use tools like journaling and breathwork to create lasting change. I know firsthand that you can move through burnout, heal after a disconnected marriage, and build a life beyond your wildest dreams. It all begins with the courage to get clear about what you want and the boundaries necessary to protect it.
A dear friend of mine has started a journaling practice to help her decide if retiring is the right next move for her. She has been able to get clear about what her real interests and passions are. She has created a pros and cons list of why she should stay and why she should go. She’s gained clarity around how she likes to spend her time and what is depleting her.
Through her journaling practice, she ‘s found certainty around leaving her current position and finding a travel assignment that is more aligned with her highest desires to travel, stay active, and to continue her purpose to have a positive impact on people’s physical wellbeing.
Do you have a big life question that you are seeking an answer to? Try going inward and you will be amazed at what you find!
Here are some great prompts to get you started on how to tap into your true desires and how to figure out your first steps in moving toward your dreams.
Journaling Prompts to Tap Into Your True Desires and First Steps
What does my ideal day look and feel like from the moment I wake up to when I go to sleep?
If I could remove all obligations and fears, what would I choose to do with my time?
What am I tolerating in my life right now that drains my energy or joy?
What small shift could I make this week to feel more aligned with my values?
What beliefs about myself or the world might be holding me back? Where did they come from?
What am I most proud of overcoming in my life, and what strengths did I use to do it?
If I had complete confidence, what bold step would I take toward my dreams?
What do I need to say “no” to in order to create space for what I want?
What resources, people, or tools could support me in my next chapter?
How will I know I’m living the life I truly desire — what will be different?
*You may find that your answers are meek or lack certainty at first. There is no reason you can’t ask yourself the same questions several days in a row. The more you face the questions and really carve out time for yourself, the more you will start to share your heart’s true desires with yourself. Now, go find a fun pen!
