Welcome to another deep dive, and today we're going to be doing something a little different, yeah, a little more introspective, you could say.

Okay, I'm intrigued.

We're going to be looking at 50 journal prompts that focus on this thing called social emotional learning.

Ah, so we're going to be kind of exploring our feelings and stuff.

Exactly how to understand them, manage them, build relationships.

All that good stuff.

And I think this could be really helpful for all of us, you know, to kind of check in with ourselves and learn some new skills.

Especially in today's world.

Right, everything's moving so fast it's easy to lose track of our own emotions.

So our source material for this deep dive is a blog post by Clara Penrose.

You can find it on listallioncom.

It's called 50 Social Emotional Learning Journal Prompts and it was published pretty recently, november 5th 2024.

Okay, so fresh off the press.

Now I know what you might be thinking Journaling, is that a little bit?

It's a teenage diary.

Yeah, exactly, but trust me, these prompts are a lot deeper than just writing about your day.

They're designed to really make you think, analyze and understand your inner world.

Exactly, and they're organized around these core areas of social emotional learning.

So we've got self-awareness, self-confidence, empathy, communication, personal growth.

The whole shebang Should we jump right in.

Yeah, let's start with self-awareness, which I think is so fascinating, because sometimes it's like we don't even know our own emotions that well.

It's true.

We go through life reacting to things without really understanding why we feel the way we do.

It's like there's this whole universe inside us that we haven't fully explored.

And these prompts can help us unlock that universe.

So let's look at a specific example here.

Sure.

Okay, this one's about frustration.

It says describe a recent moment when you felt frustrated, what caused it and how did you handle those feelings?

That's a good one.

I think we've all been there right.

Oh yeah, definitely.

Sometimes I just kind of stew in my frustration without really thinking about it too much.

But that's where the journaling comes in.

It forces you to slow down and examine those feelings.

To figure out the why behind the frustration.

Exactly, and by doing that you can start to identify your triggers you know the things that set you off and then maybe find some better ways to cope Right Instead of just reacting.

You're reflecting Makes sense, yeah, but how does actually writing it down help?

I mean, it's just me in a notebook.

Well, there's actually a lot of research on this.

They call it expressive writing, okay, and it's been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation all sorts of benefits.

Wow.

So it's not just about venting.

There's actual science behind it Exactly.

Kenrose mentioned something about this in her post.

I like this part.

She says embracing your emotions helps you understand yourself better.

Every feeling you experience is important.

Honor each one as it comes.

I love that.

Yeah, it's a good reminder.

But I'm also curious about positive emotions.

Do we need to journal about those too?

Absolutely.

It's just as important to reflect on the good stuff.

Okay, so there are prompts for that too, oh yeah, there's one that asks you to think about a time when you felt really happy.

So we're reliving those happy memories Exactly.

And so we're reliving those happy memories Exactly.

And the cool thing is it can actually strengthen those neural pathways associated with joy.

So, it's like training your brain to be happier, kind of like building a mental muscle for happiness.

I like that.

Sign me up.

The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Exactly Like going to the gym for your happiness.

Muscles- Okay, I like that analogy.

But what about self-confidence?

Ah, good one.

Self-confidence is another area where journaling can be super helpful.

I think a lot of people struggle with that.

For sure.

Yeah.

And Penrose includes some really good prompts to help us explore our strengths and accomplishments.

Okay, so what are some of those prompts?

Well, there's one that asks what is one thing you're really good at, and how did you get so good at it?

Hmm, that's interesting.

Sometimes I get so caught up in my daily grime that I forget to even think about the things I'm good at.

Yeah, it's easy to focus on our weaknesses, but this prompt forces us to shift our perspective.

To acknowledge our successes.

Exactly and to recognize all the effort and dedication that went into developing those skills.

Makes sense.

There's another prompt that caught my eye too.

It says describe a time you made a mistake, how did you react and what did you learn from it.

Oh, that's a great one.

We all make mistakes, right?

Definitely, but sometimes it's hard to let go of those mistakes.

Yeah, we can be pretty harsh on ourselves.

But journaling can help with that.

It can be a safe space to process those mistakes without all the self-judgment.

To see them as opportunities for growth instead of failures.

Exactly I like how Penrose puts it in her post.

She says confidence grows when you recognize your worth.

Celebrate each achievement and remember every step forward is something to be proud of.

Yeah, it's all about being kind to ourselves.

And that kindness extends to others too, which I guess brings us to empathy.

You got it.

Empathy is so crucial, especially these days when it feels like everyone's just talking over each other.

Yeah, it's like we've forgotten how to actually listen and understand other people's perspectives.

And that's where these prompts come in handy.

They encourage us to step into someone else's shoes.

To consider their feelings.

Exactly.

There's one that asks describe a time when someone showed you kindness.

Oh, I like that one.

It's a good reminder of all the good that's out there.

And it can inspire us to be more kind ourselves.

Pay it forward.

Exactly Now.

You mentioned earlier that reflecting on happy moments can boost our mood.

Right.

Could there be a connection between feeling happy and being more empathetic?

You know there might be.

There's some research that suggests a link between positive emotions and pro-social behavior, Meaning when we're feeling good, we're more likely to be helpful and compassionate towards others.

Ah, so it's like happiness is contagious.

In a way yeah, okay cool.

So let's move on to the next category communication.

Right.

This one feels especially relevant in the age of social media, where miscommunication seems to be everywhere.

You're telling me.

These prompts can help us analyze our communication patterns and develop more effective strategies for connecting with others.

Okay.

so for example Well, there's one that asks what's one thing you find challenging about making new friends?

Oh, that's a good one.

I've definitely struggled with that in the past.

It's a common challenge and by identifying those specific challenges we can start to work on overcoming them.

So instead of just complaining about being awkward, we can actually do something about it.

Right.

It's about taking ownership of our communication and finding ways to be more clear, empathetic and engaging.

Makes sense.

And Penrose has this great line in her article.

She says communication is key to connection.

Every conversation helps you understand others better.

So listen, share and support one another.

Love that it's not just about talking.

It's about listening and understanding.

Exactly.

It's a two way street and these prompts, they kind of help us be more mindful of both sides.

You know our own communication and the other person's.

Yeah, makes sense.

Yeah, all right, ready for our final category.

Hit me with it Personal growth and mindfulness.

Good stuff.

Always a good combo.

Definitely these prompts.

They really encourage us to reflect on our journey.

Where we're going.

Exactly Like taking a step back and assessing.

You know, how can we bridge that gap between where we are and where we want to be?

And there's this one prompt that I really like.

It says describe one way you've grown emotionally over the past year.

I love that one.

It's so easy to get caught up in the day today that we forget to even acknowledge how much we've changed.

So true, we've got to celebrate those small victories.

Recognize those challenges we've overcome and appreciate how far we've come.

It kind of ties in with another prompt in this category.

What is something you're learning to be more patient?

with oh, patience, that's a big one.

Definitely something I'm working on.

It's a lifelong journey for most of us, but journaling can help.

It can.

It can help us cultivate patience, resilience.

Yeah.

Self-compassion.

Become more aware of our patterns, our triggers.

Exactly.

Penrose has this great quote about growth in her post.

She says growth happens one step at a time.

Embrace each moment, Be mindful of the journey and trust that you're always moving forward.

It's beautiful.

It's a good reminder that it's a process, not a destination.

Exactly yeah, and we can actively shape that process through self-reflection, intention, action.

You got it.

So we've explored all these 50 prompts covering all these different social and emotional skills, but what does it all mean for our listeners?

Right, how can they actually use this stuff?

Yeah, what's the takeaway?

Well, I think of these prompts like seeds.

You know they have the potential to grow into something amazing, but they need the right environment.

Exactly, they need nurturing, and that comes from taking the time to reflect, to write, to really engage with these prompts.

And it doesn't have to be this huge time commitment.

No, even just a few minutes a day can make a difference.

And there's no right or wrong way to do it.

It's your own personal space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

No judgment.

Exactly so.

As we wrap up this deep dive, we want to leave you with a little challenge.

Hey.

Inspired by these prompts, what small act of kindness will you try this week?

It could be anything.

You know, a compliment, helping someone out, just listening to someone who needs to talk.

And pay attention to how it makes you feel.

Sometimes those small actions can have the biggest impact.

On ourselves and on the world around us.

Well said.

Thanks for joining us on this journey of self-exploration.

We hope these prompts inspire you to grab a notebook and start writing.

Unleash those inner thoughts.

And embark on your own adventure of social, emotional growth.

Happy journaling everyone.