EP.26: Stillness, Introspection, and Taking Inventory

As the year comes to a close, take time to reflect on where you’ve been and spark insight into where you’re headed. In the first episode of a 6-week series, I’m guiding you through journaling prompts designed to help you reflect on your current season, connect with God, and gain clarity about what you want in the coming year. Whether you’re new to journaling or looking for inspiration, this episode offers space to pause, breathe, and begin a journey of self-discovery and purpose.

Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Be Still With Bobbi podcast! On today’s episode, we’re beginning a new series, designed to help you dive into journaling as a tool for self-reflection, connection with God, and reconnecting with your truest self.

I actually thought about doing this series in the month of January, but then decided that the end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on all that’s happened in previous months before we begin thinking about our hopes for the year ahead. 

And I feel like, the number one question I get asked when talking about stillness and journaling is whether or not I offer journaling prompts. And while I have a free resource on my website that walks you through the way I journal, the prompts within that resource are pretty minimal, because it was designed with the sole purpose of introducing you to a simple, easy, and often quick method of journaling if you’re just starting out.

So, I figured, why not create a series of journaling prompts on the podcast, so you can listen, reflect, and let your responses to these prompts simmer in the background of all the other tasks you’re completing in November and December – which tend to be two of the busiest months of the year.

Journaling can be a space for comfort—a place where we can give ourselves permission to rest, to let go, and to trust God with our worries and other thoughts.

And as we start this series, I want to make journaling feel approachable and, more importantly, deeply personal. Many of you have shared that while you can find a few minutes of quiet, you’re not always sure what to write. That’s where I hope this series can make a difference. Today, I’ll be sharing a number of different prompts I use, followed by more specific questions to help you look inward and explore those deeper desires and emotions.

But keep in mind, I also know you probably don’t have time to journal right now, especially if you’ve not even started a journaling practice yet. Don’t worry. For now … let this be enough as you walk through this busy season. Just listen. 

Let these questions and prompts simply penetrate your heart so that when you are ready, you’ll have some really purposeful thoughts to write down. Better yet, bookmark these episodes for later. Listen now, write later. 

Let’s dive in.

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This week’s theme is pretty simple: We’re talking about Stillness, Introspection, Embracing Honesty, and Taking Inventory.

Stillness is more than just silence; it’s creating a space where we can tune in, hear the gentle whisper of God, and ask ourselves questions that might not come up in the hustle of daily life. 

And introspection is practically non-existent for most people. We’re so busy doing, that we rarely, if ever, take time to reflect. 

But how is what you’re doing affecting who you’re being? And is who you’re being a purposeful reflection of who you really are, or who you want to be? 

On a grander scale, is what you’re doing in alignment with the life you want to be living? Or are you just hanging on for dear life? Surviving the day-to-day; hoping for better or different, but never really taking the time to understand what “better” or “different” feels like?

I’ve personally had various points in my life where, when I stop long enough to look around and pay attention, I realize where I am (in whatever season that might be) looks nothing like what I pictured – at that age, or that stage, or in that area of my life.

This is where you begin. At the most basic level of understanding – where are you? Who are you? What does your life actually look like? And are you happy with the way things are?

This all starts with a basic prompt – A Week in the Life of You:

Take a moment to imagine a typical week in your life. What does it look like? What are the tasks and commitments you genuinely look forward to, if any? And if you find there’s nothing you’re looking forward to, be honest with yourself about that. Writing about this can be incredibly revealing. 

Are you on the PTO and dread the meetings? Are you dragging yourself to work every Monday, but know in your heart it’s time to move on from your job? 

Maybe there’s a voice inside you that’s telling you it longs for something different. If you can hear that still, small voice, what is it saying? Describe it in as much detail as you can. Notice what rises to the surface.

And while you’re taking inventory of your current activities and commitments … Let’s also Reflect on how you feel about it all. Are you fulfilled? Happier most days than not? 

When you think about the word “unfulfilled.” What areas of your life come to mind? Is it your work? A relationship? Your own self-care? This can be a hard question to sit with, but if there’s an area that feels “off,” give yourself permission to name it. 

Write down what comes to mind, without judgment. You are not wrong for feeling unfulfilled. In fact, you are supposed to pay attention to that tension. It’s purposeful tension – telling you something is out of alignment and perhaps, needs to be adjusted.

As you reflect on this season of your life, consider what you can and cannot control. There are always aspects of life—like caring for small children, job obligations, or financial responsibilities—that might feel unchangeable right now. And that’s okay. Just identifying these areas can create a sense of clarity and peace.

Once you’ve looked at a week in the life of you, let’s Step Back for a 30,000-Foot View:

Imagine you could see your life as a whole. From this perspective, what do you love the most about your life? And what would you eliminate if you could, even if you’re not sure how? Maybe it’s a commitment that drains you or a habit that feels out of alignment with your values. Even if it feels impossible to change, give yourself the freedom to name it.

And, as you continue, ask yourself: Is there one thing you’re holding onto that no longer serves you? Maybe it’s a belief, a habit, or even a grudge. Write it down, and let yourself imagine what life might look like without it.

This is the part of my journaling time where I literally imagine myself writing a sentence or two on a blank piece of paper – whatever it is I need to let go of. And then I imagine folding it up as if I’m passing a note in middle school and then imagine myself handing it over to God. He takes it, smiles, and tucks it away in his coat pocket while nodding warmly in my direction to assure me he’s got it in his safekeeping and I don’t need to worry about it any longer. 

These visuals – the images I create in my mind of interactions with God – are incredibly helpful for me. Much more so than generic phrases like, “Give it to God!” or “God’s got this!” 

I need to see it in my mind’s eye to better experience the letting go.  

Once you’ve looked at your life through the 30,000 foot lens, focus back in on exploring Comparisons and Hidden “Shoulds”:

Where in your life do you compare yourself to others? Maybe it’s in your parenting, your career, or even your spiritual journey. Try to notice any places where comparison sneaks in and writes itself into your thoughts.

And pay attention to the “should” statements. Maybe you find yourself thinking, “I should be more productive,” or “If only I could get it together like so-and-so.” These statements are sneaky, and they often reflect an inner pressure that isn’t from God. If you catch yourself thinking in “shoulds” or “if only’s,” write those down too. Simply noticing them can be a very powerful step.

The next prompt is one of my favorites – The Magic Wand Question:

It goes like this. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing in your life right now, what would it be? Don’t overthink it; just let the first thing that comes to mind flow onto the page. Maybe it’s something small, or maybe it’s a life-altering desire. Whatever it is, let yourself dream about it. 

The tricky part about this question is giving yourself permission to say the first thing that comes to mind. Often, we aren’t introspective because if we tell the truth, we don’t know what to do with the honest information that’s revealed. And so instead, we make up something else. An arbitrary goal or a “should.” Something that sounds nice or doesn’t make us appear ungrateful or needy. 

Beware of this as you ask this question. Don’t edit. Don’t filter. Just write the most honest answer that comes to mind. The magic wand question might take some getting used to and that’s more than okay. Come back to it if you need to.

Another one of my favorite ways to journal – and is the prompt I use most often – is Imagining my journal as an ongoing Conversation with God:

To get you in the mindset for this, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine yourself in your favorite quiet place. Maybe it’s by the beach, in a cozy coffee shop, or on your favorite chair at home, near the window. 

As you sit down, you look up and see God Himself walking toward you, radiating peace and love. He sits down beside you and gently says, “Tell me, child… what’s on your mind? What can I help you with? What can I do for you?”

Write whatever comes to mind as you imagine this meeting. Let this be a space to pour out your worries, dreams, and even your unspoken desires. Let yourself feel His presence, and write as if He’s there, listening intently. Because he is.

I want to share a special side note about this. 

God is the ultimate listener. And in the beginning, I used to fear that my honesty within the pages of my journal was somehow going to make God turn away from me. As if he’s never heard anyone whine or complain before. 

So I tried (in the beginning) to keep my journaled thoughts really upbeat and positive. As if I was fooling God into believing that I had my life together. 

This is one of the pitfalls I see with gratitude journals. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely journal about what I’m grateful for. Knowing gratitude is often the bridge between where I am and where I want to go. But I can’t only journal what I’m grateful for otherwise it’s not an honest conversation. 

The truth is, I do worry. I do have fears. I do break down and wonder how in the world I’m going to survive some days. God’s not interested in only hearing the parts of my heart that are perfectly fine. If I expect his help … I have to be honest with him about where I am. And that means telling him the parts that aren’t as pretty as the rest. 

I’ve also discovered that it’s really difficult to move – in a new direction, or even into a new year, without first establishing where I’ve been, where I am currently, and how those two things factor into what I hope is ahead.

The stillness is the space. The journal is the container of your thoughts. And the introspection within the pages of your journal is where you begin. 

So, this week, I invite you to commit to a just few quiet moments each day. Use any of these questions that resonate with you, and let your quiet time be a space where you’re free to explore, without judgment.

That’s it for today’s episode. Thank you for joining me. I know that stillness can feel challenging. And. It’s in these quiet spaces that we can find a deeper connection to God and to ourselves. 

In the coming episodes, we’re going to build on this foundation of embracing honesty and taking inventory. By moving into topics like self-perception, who we are in God’s eyes, reframing our limiting beliefs, and how to create a God-inspired vision for the year ahead.

If you’re feeling the need for support in this journey, I invite you to join The Be Still Collective. There’s still time. The doors are open until the end of November. If you’re listening to this in real-time, it’s Friday, November 15th and we’d love to have you join us. You can find the link to read more about it and join, in the show notes.

The Be Still Collective was designed to be a space for women to be vulnerable, encouraged, and seen. Together, we’re learning to prioritize stillness, and I’d love to walk with you on this journey.

Until next time, may you find moments of peace and clarity in your stillness. I hope you can take time this week to slow down, listen, and be open to whatever God wants to show you.

Bye for now!

Link to: The Be Still Collective