In the book How to Be a Better Student, I talk about finding a quiet space. I want you to do that. This will be your activity. Find a quiet space. That might be at a library. It might be in a space in your home. Maybe at school. If not at a library, maybe a study hall, a reading lab, or even a classroom or some other place that you can find. Let this be your oasis, your go-to place. This is your task. To find whatever is suitable and safe for you. Wherever it is, find it. When you do, I want you to take a moment to be in that space for 15 minutes. No distraction, no sound, just sitting in silence. Quiet your mind. Shhh. Nothing shall enter your mind. If you want to, you can close your eyes. Doing this is important. It will relax you, it will calm you, and it will give you an opportunity to stop; it is like hitting the reset button. This is an experience you might need to get used to. A lot of people like distraction and busyness and not being alone. Here, I want you to be still and quiet your mind. What does this feel like to you? For some, it is strange and unnatural. This is the environment I want you to be in. This will then kickstart and stimulate you to push yourself into getting better, whether it’s in life, academics, parenting, or health. Improving is growth, and this can help catapult you to where you want to be, where you need to be, and where you should be in life so that you can be great. If you’re having a difficult time finding quiet, there are other options; one is noise-canceling headphones. I want you to do your own due diligence. Consider safety as well as effectiveness. If you can create space that will allow quiet and comfort, try doing that for yourself. Start with a nice, comfy chair in the corner of your home. Try to drown out the surrounding sounds. Some people may go as far as getting sound panels to dampen noise. Finding a quiet space in the home is highly recommended because it will be your go-to place that is easy to get to and won’t require travel. It is also familiar surroundings and a place that you can personalize. But, of course, not everyone can make this happen. Some people can’t get away from noise and live in spaces that are not conducive to quiet, so you should seek it. Take a field trip and find your space. It needs to be quiet and safe. This site is a big supporter of libraries and will be spoken about ad nauseam. There are many different types of libraries. There are school libraries, private libraries, public libraries, state libraries, university libraries, and law libraries. Find one and be there if all else fails. There are also spaces at schools. Maybe even outside at a park, maybe even in your car. Just find it. After your quiet session of 15 minutes, ask yourself how you feel. Was it relaxing? Did you encounter any distractions? Were you truly able to be alone and have quiet? If you were distracted or the environment was too noisy, this may not be the right place for you. Did you fall asleep? It’s ok if that happens. Your body probably needed it. I will be talking about the importance of rest in a future blog. For now, I want you to find that quiet spot. Whether you created it in your home or traveled to it, make it your place so that you can be there to study, write, do mindful exercises, be alone, or whatever you so desire. Now, after your 15 minutes are up. I want you to open the to-do planner. There are two pages: one is the to-do list page, which is where you will write down what you need to do. The other page is the brainstorming section. Now, here is the magic spot. After your 15 minutes of silence, I want you to think of what you’ve been NOT doing that you really need to do. A lot of us procrastinate, and this journal will get you to get out of that habit and start doing things now. What are you not doing that you should be doing? Here is an example of how to use the To-Do Journal. Let’s pick one task: Going to the doctor. Let’s go to the doctor. Write that down in the brainstorm section. Then write down why you haven’t gone. Are you too afraid? Let’s explore how this To-Do List Journal can help you. In the brainstorming section, write down your fear. Why are you afraid of the doctor? Maybe a scary diagnosis? Write it down. Maybe you have Googled your issues, and you just don’t want to go for fear of what the doctor might find out. Write down what is preventing you from going. If it is fear of the unknown, write that down. Now, do you have a support system? I talk about support in How to Be a Better Student. Get someone to go with you if you can. It is difficult facing fears. I understand. Write a list of people who can accompany you. Who are those people? Write on the to-do section page the names of those people with a day and time to contact them. These pages feed off each other. Do you see how this works? Now you are going towards annihilating the beast of fear. Here is something to encourage you. Medical advancements have come a long, long way. It is amazing what is happening now. So I strongly encourage you to go. Also understand that not knowing is worse than knowing. In other words, knowing is better than not knowing. Go to the doctor. You really need to go. There is a certain amount of relief you will feel when you are no longer in the dark and are trying to fix a problem. It is empowering when you take control. That pain that has persisted will be revealed and finally managed or eliminated. You will finally know what it is. Or that issue that you’ve been dealing with will finally get settled. No more not knowing. Go! This is the power you take back when you are proactive in what you are trying to change and improve instead of being victimized by your fear. Find support from family members, friends, advocates, and community resources. Write down the names of these people. Do your research if you are having difficulty finding people. Resources are out there. Then write that you will be on the path to knowing. And doing something about your situation. That’s power! Enrich yourself and tap into your power. Write anything else that comes to mind in your brainstorming session. This is your journal. This is just an example of how to make this journal work for you. Try this. After your visit to the doctor, I want you to reward yourself for a job well done. It does not have to be immediate, but I do want you to stay encouraged. As stated earlier, medical advances and technology have done wonders for people’s health. Be encouraged. You are doing the right thing. Stay encouraged! When you find that opportunity and you feel up to it, do something enjoyable that will lift your spirits. Remember, you are doing the right thing! If you are concerned, go talk to someone and always keep communication open for what concerns you. Go to support groups, friends, or family members that can help if you have anxiety because we have all been there. Know that you are not alone! Get a support team to help you through those complicated and scary times in life. It does help. Journaling can be life-saving and life-changing. Please know that you have the power.
