Best Case Scenario Journaling

I recently heard Les from The Balanced Black Girl podcast share a journaling practice she uses called "best case scenario journaling," and a light bulb went off in my head. As she described the practice, I realized it was exactly what I had been doing for over a decade.

At the end of every year, I reflect on my life by answering 21 questions about the seven areas of happiness. This ritual usually starts right after Thanksgiving and wraps up before the first weekend in December.

The first part of the journaling practice is a self-reflection process. It’s simple but not always easy because it requires me to be brutally honest with myself while answering each question. Over the years, I’ve carefully curated these 21 questions to help me uncover the insights I’ll need to take intentional action in the coming year. The purpose of this practice is to remind myself of who I am, what I have, what I’ve done, and what I truly want from my life. It’s designed to disrupt the scripts we’re handed at the beginning of adulthood by encouraging us to trust our voice, thoughts, and feelings. At the end of the day, major life decisions should be made by you, for you.

The second part of the journaling practice involves open space to write about the opportunities and challenges that will arise in the new year. The insights from answering the 21 questions act as signs and guideposts for navigating those moments—whether they involve career, love, money, or education. This practice helps me imagine the best case scenario and plan for it.

When I first started this practice over a decade ago, I didn’t have a name for it. But I would often think to myself, “What if the situation I’m facing turns out even better than I imagine? What could possibly happen?” Then, I’d let my pen move freely across the page, writing from that perspective. Looking back at my journal entries over the years, I can see how my life has evolved. This practice not only helped me reflect on my accomplishments and mistakes but also gave me the clarity and courage to design the best case scenarios for my life.

I want this for you too!

Invest in your happiness today by grabbing The 21 Questions Journal. Start creating your best case scenario now!