Dinner with a stranger

And other things I couldn't have done a year ago

On Friday night, I had dinner with a stranger.

I was out of town at a conference and had the evening to myself.
I walked myself down the street to the burger place I wanted to eat at,
Okay with the idea of eating by myself.

As I waited for a table, I struck up a conversation
With the friendly stranger in front of me -

Also in town for the conference -
And invited her to eat with me.

I’m so happy I did!

We talked for hours over burgers and truffle fries
About work, life, and all kinds of things in between.

Eating by myself would have been okay,
But this was so nice!

A year ago, I wouldn’t have invited a stranger to dinner.

It’s amazing how much we grow.
And how it happens when we’re not looking.

I’ve been reflecting on things I’ve done this year
That I wouldn’t or couldn’t have done a year ago:

• Presenting to a packed house at a national conference with no notes without my nerves showing

• Supporting my first mother-in-law through her end of life transition even though we didn’t have a close relationship

• NOT setting ambitious, performative goals for this year and instead learning how to follow my intuition and simply be

• Being okay with a loved one being really angry with me, giving them space to work things out, and trusting that everything would be okay - and it was!

These things didn’t magically happen.
My growth has required lots of concerted effort.

And a whole lot of journaling.

As I’ve reflected on who I want to be,
Reported on the steps I’ve taken,
And marked my progress along the way.

I’m so grateful for this practice.

I’m so grateful for angsty teenage Amanda
Who found journaling on that hard day
When she was feeling all those big feelings.

Who discovered that journaling made her lighter.
That journaling witnessed that she was here, that she mattered.

Who build her resiliency through her writing,
Processing what happened
And making values-aligned decisions for what to do next.

Who made it possible to turn to journaling
The night her marriage ended.

Who used journaling to find herself
And to become the Amanda she’s always wanted to be.

My journals tell my story.
They are the record of how far I’ve come.
Where I celebrate my successes and who I’ve become.

When I’m facing a challenge,
I can go back to past volumes and remind myself
That I’ve done hard things before.
And that I can do it again.

That I’m smarter, stronger, and more resourceful
Than I usually give myself credit for being.

And I can read those old volumes too
To revisit my journey -

Reminding myself of the good and wonderful times,
The joyful surprises,
The adventures that have led me to where I am.

Because I always think I’ll remember.
And journaling makes sure that I do.

If you need a little nudge with your journaling,
Accountability and support to celebrate yourself,

Join us next Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm Eastern
For our next Journaling Mini-Retreat!

Secure your spot HERE.

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Journal Prompts

Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week. And know that I’m always here to support you and answer questions you have along the way!

• What can you do now that you couldn’t have done a year ago?

• How did you have to grow to make this happen?

• Have you celebrated your progress? If so, how?

• If you haven’t yet celebrated your progress, how will you?

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Journaling Fun and Support

• My weekly livestream is back! Join me on Tuesdays at 8pm Eastern as I welcome a series of guests who do interesting, fun things that tie into journaling! This week, I welcome my friend Mike D’Angelo to talk about Defeating Our Saboteurs! Tune in on LinkedIn, YouTube, or Facebook (if you’re my mom!). Missed our last session on Pushing Beyond What’s Possible? Catch it HERE.

• Wanna come journal with me? Our Monthly Journaling Mini-Retreat is next Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30pm Eastern. Register for free here.

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Happy Journaling!