I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I love journaling….I currently have at least 5 different journals going…all at the same time.
I keep a running journal, a gratitude journal, a journal to write to my kids in, a “line a day” journal, etc. But recently my mind turned to a different kind of journal. It all started with a conversation I had with a group of teenage girls.
We were talking about what they like…easy enough right…well, not really. It seemed like they had a hard time nailing down what each of them was really into…and as the answers around each girl changed so did their previous answers.
Later we talked about setting goals…and the things we wanted to accomplish….and again…some awkward silences, looks of confusion, and them asking each other about what goals THEY were going to set instead having their own clear ideas.
After working with teens for more than two decades this wasn’t surprising behavior however, I really wanted this group to start thinking about who they are as a person independent from the influence of their friends. What did they like and dislike? What made them unique? What made them happy? What do each of them truly enjoy doing?
So I do what I do best…I made a list. A list of questions.
Later each girl was given these questions and notebook. And we either pasted or wrote a different question down on each page in the notebook.
This notebook was now their own personal, get-to-know-yourself journal where everyday, for the next 2 months, they could answer a question, in the privacy of their own rooms, and think about what it is that they really like…and hopefully get to know themself a little better.
Here is a list of the questions that I made for them:
Favorite/Least Favorite Questions
*What is your favorite color?
*What is your least favorite color?
*What is your favorite beverage?
*What is your least favorite beverage?
*What is your favorite candy?
*What is your least favorite candy?
*What is your favorite meal?
*What is your least favorite meal?
*What is your favorite smell?
*What is your least favorite smell?
*What is your favorite movie?
*What is your least favorite movie?
*What is your favorite book?
*What is your least favorite book?
*What is your favorite sport?
*What is your least favorite sport?
*What is your favorite day of the week?
*What is your least favorite day of the week?
*What is your holiday?
*What is your least holiday?
*What is your favorite book?
*What is your least favorite book?
List Questions
*List 3 things you are thankful for.
*List 3 things you are afraid of.
*List 3 places you would like to visit.
*List 3 compliments you receive on a regular basis.
*List your 3 favorite games.
*List 3 of your greatest strengths.
*List 3 things you like to do most in your spare time.
*List 3 activities you really don’t enjoy participating in.
*List 3 of you favorite songs.
*List 3 of your least favorite songs.
*List 3 people that you love to spend time with.
*List 3 things that you worry about.
*List 3 things that you would like to be better at.
*List 3 things that you like to do when you are alone.
*List 3 things that you like to do with your friends.
*List 3 things that you like to do with your family.
*List 3 animals that scare you.
*List your 3 favorite memories.
*List 3 things you wouldn’t want to live without.
*List 3 people who you look up to or admire.
*List 3 things you would like to dress up as for Halloween.
Other Questions
*If you could go out to eat anywhere where would you go and what would you order?
*What are you afraid of?
*What is your favorite verse of scripture?
*What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
*What animal would you love to have for a pet?
*If you could change your name would you? And what would it be?
*What word do you say most often?
*What do you think is your best feature?
*What would be your perfect day?
*What would you do with $1000?
*Are you a morning person or a night person?
*What is the best part of being in your family?
*What stresses you out?
*Where do you feel the safest?
*What is your biggest pet peeve?
*Describe your life in one word.
*If your life was made into a movie would it be a comedy, adventure, or romance?
*Would you rather be indoors or outdoors? Why?
*What is your favorite outfit to wear?
*Would you rather be with a group of people or alone? Why?
*Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it? If you could change it would you? What would you change it to?
*Do you like dressing up, wearing casual clothes, or lounging in pajamas best?
There are almost 70 questions which means there is enough for a question a day for 2 months (without having to use every single question). I also sorted them by favorite/least favorite, lists, and reply style questions….so those who like certain kinds of questions could include more of them in their journals.
And yes, for every favorite question there is a least favorite question…I think it’s just as important to know what you don’t like or are not comfortable with as it is to know what you like.
(If you would like to print out the list you can get to a printable version HERE.)
Having a get-to-know-yourself journal won’t solve all their teenage problems but if it can help them start the process of sorting out and discovering who they are I will count that as a win.
In related news….life ebbs and flows…things change.
As the girls put together their books I looked at the questions and thought I knew all the answers…after all I am in my 40’s and pretty comfortable in my own skin….what is my favorite meal? Nachos obviously. And my least favorite beverage…Egg Nog! Ewww! But what stresses me out, what do I worry about, favorite book….as I read I realized my standard answers had changed over time, without me even realizing it.
And then I thought…maybe…just maybe…I could use a little refresher course on myself as well.
-liZ
