Deepening into your own story....
Using the 'Grow Yourself Up' journal prompts
I was looking back over some of the journal prompts and realised how diligently consistent I was (with sending them out) when I first started with Grow Yourself Up. Early each week the set of prompts were sent out. And then we got to 2023 and it seems the wheels fell off a bit…..I know many of you were finding the prompts really helpful in terms of your own journey, some of you even said you were doing them with friends (which I loved) and I am sorry the flow was interrupted. It is my intention to be more consistent with them going forward while acknowledging I am not a machine (which is how many of us have learnt to treat ourselves). In episode 89 last week I promised the prompts for that episode would be sent out before the next ep so here they are! HURRAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grab your pen and your notebook and write on whatever feels relevant for you. This is not an exercise in perfection, you do not need to respond to all the prompts. Set your timer for 5-10 minutes and answer what jumps out at you. See below the prompts for episodes 87 and 89.
Sending love out into the world tonight.
Cath xx
Ep 87: The Fatherwound, Patriarchy and Growing up in Fatherhood with Clint Davis
What do you notice about the division of labour in your family?
Were gender roles entrenched in your family of origin? What about in your own family now?
Is labour split out on gender lines?
How does this fit for you?
What are your feelings around this? Is there any resentment around this? If there is, can you talk about it?
Do you recognise narcissistic traits in one or both of your parents? Did your parents always make it about themselves when you were growing up? Who tended to your needs and held space for you? Who does that now?
Do you notice you need a lot of mirroring (ie: reflections from others that you are good enough/worthy) Where do you seek this affirmation or mirroring? Do you overwork or overgive to try and get it? What do you notice about your attempts to prove worthiness? How does it feel to receive?
Ep 89: Guilt and Shame in Parenting: Ask Cath
Do you have a story about you and your parenting journey that you often hear yourself telling others? What do you give weight to in the story? What do you emphasise? Is what you focus on actually a good reflection or is it self-critical?
Do you often find yourself ruminating about the same sorts of things? Is there something that can be done about these things? Is it time for a new story about yourself?
What do you notice about how shame appears in your parenting and your relationship with your child? What happens when your shame gets touched? Is that helpful? How can you tend to yourself in moments when your shame is activated?
Is there anything you feel guilty about? Why do you feel guilty? Are you possibly comparing yourself to others or expecting your emotional experience to be neater? How can you extend self compassion in these scenarios?
Are there any areas of concern where you feel you need additional support/professional help? What would be the first step to accessing that help? Can you take that step?
These are excellent prompts that I never would have thought of (and searching on Pinterest seems futile) Thank you for sharing and a lovely picture by the way :)