Zooming out

I turned 37 over the weekend.

I don’t like to dwell too much on the idea of growing older because, truthfully, we grow older every day, not just once a year.

But I do like to use my birthday as a milestone.

A chance to zoom out and ask: Have I grown this past year?

That’s my biggest fear — that the date arrives and I realise I’ve changed nothing.

That I’ve coasted and wasted 365 (or 366) days.

The last year has been one of the roughest, yet most fulfilling.

I quit my job. I started two businesses from scratch. I’ve gone a full year without a salary, cut back on my lifestyle, and stretched every dollar.

I’ve eaten more simply, gained some weight, grown more white hairs than ever before, and faced challenges I’ve never faced before.

But also? I’ve gained resilience. Learned new skills. Hustled like never before.

And strangely, I’ve felt more alive this past year than I have in a long time.

It felt that life and work had become too easy in the last few years.

Stepping out of my comfort zone was absolutely the best decision of my life.

Because, even if my business doesn’t take off, and I fail, I have already won.

So today’s prompts are here to help you zoom out and take stock: not of your age, but of your growth.

Prompts for the week (Monday - Wednesday)

1 - How have I grown over the last year (or use any longer time frame)?

2 - What would the version of me from a year ago say about who I am today?

3 - What’s one thing I’m proud of that can’t be measured by salary or status?

4 - In what areas of my life have I become more resilient over the past 5 years?

5 - When did I feel most alive in the past 5 years? How can I bring back the same feeling in the next year?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

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!