What does a good day look like?

Sometimes, the simplest questions can stump you.

A friend and I were talking about a bad day a mutual friend had had, and then we started reminiscing about some of our worst days.

Suddenly, my friend asked, “What does a good day look like for you?”

I was stumped.

I gave some vague answers around it being a feeling and “not a bad day”.

But the questions continued to bug me. How could I not know what a good day was?

I developed an exercise to help me understand myself better. It helped me clearly define what a good day was for me.

For example, a good day for me generally includes having a good conversation with someone, using my brain for something challenging, doing physical activity, and reading.

My calendar is now designed around these principles, and I have way more good days than most people.

“What does a good day look like?” exercise

Step 1: Reflect on past good days.

— List 3-5 days in the past year that felt fulfilling or joyful.

— Write down what made each day stand out (e.g., activities, people, emotions, achievements).

Step 2: Create your definition.

— Based on your reflections, describe what a “good day” means to you.

— Keep it simple, focusing on how you want to feel and what elements matter most.

Step 3: Analyze your week.

— Review the past 7 days. Note what you did, and categorise each day as good, bad, or neutral.

— Identify the reasons behind your ratings. What contributed to your feelings?

Step 4: Design for better days.

— Based on your findings, pick 2 to 3 actions, habits, or changes to increase your chances of having good days.

— Incorporate these into your routine (e.g., schedule more social time or set boundaries around work).

Step 5: Experiment and refine.

— Track your days for the next week, journaling what went well and what didn’t.

— Revisit your definition periodically and adjust as needed.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!