Where are we going?

A journal prompt for looking forward.

A note that starting this week, I will be transitioning to a weekly newsletter release. I plan on rotating each week between a prompt/resource and an essay. This is to make sure my essays get the time and attention to be useful and feel complete. So don’t look out for a second post this week - I’ll catch up with you next week with some of my thoughts written down in essay form! Thanks for being here!

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I am a day dreamer, an itinerary maker, a planner, someone who truly loves looking forward. I love to plan travel - and then I really love to take the trip. I love to think about what is coming next for my career - this newsletter is one of those things I used to think about and imagine what it could look like. I love looking at houses and cities and pets that I might love in some other time or version of my life. I love the act of preparing for what I hope comes next. So, today’s prompt is one that I really connected with today. I hope it resonates with you, too.

As always, get comfy, take out your favorite note taking device (journal, phone, word doc, or just your brain!), and let’s get to thinking.

1. Take a moment to picture yourself in the future. Try to picture where you’ll be, what you’ll be doing, what you’ll enjoy, who you’ll be with. Every little detail counts - write down the feelings, visions, skills, etc. that you have in your mind.

2. What was that future version of you feeling? How did you feel when picturing that person? Is it easy or difficult to connect to the emotional experience you created in your mind? What do you think brought up those emotions? How do you feel about the future?

3. How far in the future did you imagine? 1 year? 10 years? 30 years? 6 months? Was it after a specific life event - college graduation, your next promotion, starting a family, retirement? Why do you think you were drawn to this particular timeframe?

4. When you imagine this person, does that future version of you struggle with what you’re struggling with right now? If you are recovering from disordered eating or an eating disorder, does future you still struggle with this or do you imagine yourself to be in recovery?

5. How do you feel about your answer? Does it feel in line with your values and goals for yourself? What emotions does it bring up to imagine that you would or would not still be struggling with this in the future?

6. What choices, decisions are you making today that influence your answer to that question? Are there things you would like to be doing differently?

7. If your current behaviors aren’t in line with what your goals are for future you, what is one thing you could work on today that will help you step in that direction? Here are some ideas:

   1. Set a boundary

   2. Eat dessert

   3. Buy a food you haven’t tried before

   4. Let yourself look in the mirror and find things you appreciate

   5. Make plans with friends that involve food

   6. Go for a mindful walk, stretch, or meditate to build connection with your body and mind

8. If your imagination for future you included your disordered patterns, what purpose do you imagine those behaviors serving in the future? How do you imagine future you relying on these behaviors? What factors will exist that mean that future you will still need these coping mechanisms? Can you imagine a future where you wouldn’t need to rely on these behaviors? What would need to change for that future to be possible?

Self-compassion is a powerful tool when we are examining ourselves in this way - when you notice feelings or thoughts of “should” or self-judgment try to offer yourself compassion and love. Life is tricky, change is tricky - be kind to yourself.

Think we would be a good fit for individual nutrition support? I am currently taking clients in Missouri, Oregon, and Washington for virtual sessions. If you’d like to get more information or schedule a session you can find me at www.full-lifenutrition.com