This month we start our last exercises in the Ask Yourself series. So far we have covered your relationship with your self, your romantic relationship and your relationship with your children. This month the focus will be on your relationship with your work. We encourage you to reflect on how you feel about your work and how much space there is to grow and change.
Aurelia Psychology’s Ask Yourself series
For those of you who are new to Ask Yourself, you will get questions each month to help you increase your self-awareness and self-acceptance. These questions are similar to those that therapists ask their clients during sessions.
We will regularly post these questions on our social media platforms. Do check them out! At the end of the month you will also get to download our free workbook to help you continue the exploration.
How to journal mindfully
In February we will share with you a series of questions to help you reflect on, for example how much you have control over your working day and if your work is meaningful to you.
You will need a quiet, private and comfortable space, a notebook and pen/pencil, about 15 minutes of uninterrupted time.
Go through each question on the day we share them with you. Then write down all that comes to your mind about that question/topic. Allow your mind to roam free. Then, write down what you feel and this about each question.
You are not trying to solve any problems. You are simply an observer of your own self. No feeling or through is bad or wrong. Cultivate acceptance instead of judgement or self-censorship. See if you can find the courage to go deep into yourself.
When your time to reflect is up, leave your feelings, thoughts and words in the notebook.
The next day, repeat the process. However, do not look at what you have written previously. Reserve just one day of the week for revisiting what you have written during the week.
Reflecting on your work
During this month of mindful journaling you may come to realize you could aim higher in your career, your career is not fulfilling or that your attitude towards your work has room for improvement. If this is the case, do remember to download the free mindful journaling that we will provide at the end of the month. Meanwhile, you can get in touch with us or read some of our blogs on work.
Matleena Vanhanen is a licensed Counselling Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working in Europe and the Middle East. She has a practice of couples and individual therapy at the MapleTree Center in Dubai.
