Hi friends,
It’s the middle of the year (can you believe it?), and that always makes me want to pause, take a breath, and check in with myself.
Naturally, I had to make a journal spread about it.
Keep reading for all the details about my check-in, or watch the video above or on YouTube, where I walk through my process.
There are many ways to check in
Last year, I did a super simple mid-year exercise (pictured below): I picked 10 words to describe the first half of the year. That’s it. It took just a few minutes, and honestly, it was so insightful.
If the idea of a formal “mid-year review” sounds overwhelming, I can’t recommend the 10-word exercise enough. It’s quick, easy, and surprisingly deep.
But this year, I wanted to invest a little more time. I created a new spread in my bullet journal that was half reflection and half vision, because these two practices—reflecting on where I’ve been and envisioning where I want to go—are truly foundational for me.
They’re a big part of why I journal in the first place.
(And by the way, I don’t care what tool you use. A Notes app. A traditional planner. A legal pad. Whatever feels most you. The magic is in the reflecting and envisioning, not the medium.)
What I journaled about
For the reflection side, I asked myself four questions:
What am I most grateful for?
What am I most proud of?
What’s been working?
What’s been challenging that I’d like to see change?
Some highlights from my own list?
Grateful: We adopted Tilly this spring (she’s my shadow), and I’ve felt especially creatively inspired this year.
Proud: I’ve been consistent in my health habits and in showing up for my freelance work.
What’s working: Getting up at 5 a.m. almost every day. That quiet early time has been gold.
Needs change: I’d love more community connection and a better balance between work and play.
On the vision side, I pictured myself at the end of the year and wrote about how I want to feel in five areas:
Financially
Relationally
Spiritually
Mentally
Physically
Simple enough, right? By December, I hope to look back and feel proud of my fitness consistency, for example, accomplished in my big creative goals, and more connected to the people around me. Of course, life never goes perfectly to plan. But it feels hopeful to write these things down.
(And if you only do one quick exercise, draw a mini timeline and jot down 3-5 of your biggest moments from the year so far. It’s such a fast way to capture your life.)
Your turn
I’d love for you to try your own mid-year check-in. You can borrow my questions or make up your own. It doesn’t have to take all day—mine didn’t. A few quiet moments with your thoughts can be more than enough.
Where have you been?
Where are you going?
How do you want to feel when you get there?
Thanks so much for reading. Happy mid-year reflecting—and envisioning.
Talk soon! ~Steph
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