How often do you leave yourself a note to remind yourself of something? I used to do it all the time when I was younger, but now I seem to have gotten out of the habit.
The thing is, notes to self have their value – they’re easy to write, quick to read, and if you write them down rather than try to remember them in your head, then you can focus on other things with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Here are 20 examples of useful things that you can be writing down in your notes-to-self every day!
1) Get More Rest
We all know that we should be getting more rest, but it’s something that we often forget in the midst of our busy lives. Write it down as a reminder to yourself – and make sure you actually follow through!
2) Eat More Vegetables
This is another healthy reminder that we could all benefit from following. If you’re not used to eating lots of vegetables, it can be tough to remember to do it day in and day out. A note to yourself will help you form the habit.
3) Drink More Water
Staying hydrated is important for our overall health, but it’s something that many of us forget about until we start to feel thirsty. Write it down as a reminder to drink water regularly throughout the day, and your body will thank you.
4) Exercise for 30 Minutes
Exercise is another one of those things that we know is good for us, but that we often don’t make time for. A note to yourself will help you remember to fit it into your day, even if it’s just for a short period of time.
5) Start Meditating
The practice of meditation and mindfulness is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle—it can help you relax, focus, sleep better, and reduce stress.
While it might take some getting used to (meditation isn’t for everyone), it’s easy to try meditating even if you don’t think you have time.
To get started, sit comfortably with your back straight and eyes closed. Focus on your breathing—take deep breaths through your nose and exhale fully through your mouth.
6) Start Journaling
Writing in a journal is one of the most therapeutic things you can do for yourself—it can help you process your thoughts and feelings, work through problems, and boost your mood.
If you’re not sure where to start, try picking a prompt or topic and setting a timer for 5-10 minutes. Write whatever comes to mind, without editing or judgment.
Some journaling ideas include:
-What are three things you’re grateful for today?
-What was the best part of your day?
-What are some things that are stressing you out?
-How can you take care of yourself today?
7) Get in Touch with Your Emotions
Often, we bottle up our emotions because we’re afraid of them. But the truth is, emotions are a healthy and normal part of life.
It’s important to get in touch with your emotions so that you can understand and deal with them in a healthy way. One way to do this is to journal about your emotions—identify how you’re feeling and what might be causing those feelings.
You can also try expressive writing, which is a type of journaling where you explore your deepest thoughts and feelings about a particular subject.
8) Make More Time for Yourself
One of the most important things you can do for your mental and emotional health is to make time for yourself—to do things that make you happy, relax you, and help you recharge.
This might look different for everyone, but some ideas include reading, spending time in nature, taking a bath, listening to music, or doing something creative.
It’s important to have at least one activity that you can do completely on your own and that you enjoy without feeling guilty.
9) Set Better Boundaries with Technology
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in a constant cycle of work, social media, and news. This can lead to information overload, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy.
One way to combat this is to set boundaries with technology. This might mean setting certain times when you’re not allowed to use your phone or limiting yourself to only checking social media once a day.
It might also mean disconnecting from the internet altogether for a period of time each day.
10) Connect More with Nature
Spending time in nature has been shown to have a variety of benefits for mental and emotional health, including reducing stress, improving moods, and increasing feelings of happiness and well-being.
If you live in an urban area, it might seem like there’s nowhere to go to get away from the hustle and bustle. But even a short walk in a park can help you feel more connected to nature and less stressed.
If you have the opportunity, spend time in nature as often as you can—go for a hike, sit by a lake, or simply take a few deep breaths of fresh air.
11) Start a 30-Day Challenge
Whether you want to lose weight, quit smoking, or get into a regular exercise routine, start a 30-day challenge.
You’ll give yourself time to set your goals and measure progress. Stick with it for thirty days and make it an ingrained habit.
12) Confront Your Fear of Failure
If you’re afraid of failing, ask yourself why. Then, consider that it may be a good thing to fail at something. The failure itself is not what matters—it’s how you deal with it.
Don’t let fear stop you from trying new things and pushing yourself into uncomfortable situations, where your chances of success are greater than when you don’t step out of your comfort zone.
13) Observe Your Emotional Reactions
Because most of our decisions are based on emotion (i.e., instant gratification, pleasure) rather than logical thought, it’s important that we not only become more aware of our emotions but also in tune with how they can influence our actions and reactions.
By observing your emotional responses in different situations and learning what leads you to act/react a certain way, you can begin to make changes in your behavior.
14) Develop a Better Way to Express Yourself
People frequently talk about self-expression as if it’s a privilege that only certain types of people enjoy. But, like many privileges, self-expression is a double-edged sword.
A person who doesn’t have any means of voicing himself or herself can just as easily take his or her frustration out on innocent bystanders.
Someone with nothing left to lose may take risks and act on impulses he or she would never allow in a less pressured environment.
15) Identify New Ways to Grow in Relationships
A great note-taking session is an opportunity to reflect on ways you could improve your relationship with yourself and others.
Think about how you communicate with others—and if there are any important messages you’re missing, write them down.
16) Create New Ways to Meet New People
When you’re just getting started, it can be challenging to expand your social circle. Take advantage of your daily routine—like work, errands, and exercise—to reach out to new people.
You never know where a casual conversation might lead. Networking events are also great places to meet new people; just look for opportunities within your industry or community.
17) Live Out Your Passions
Do you have a hobby that you’re passionate about? Whether it’s painting, hiking, or playing the piano, make time for your passions.
Your hobbies can be a great source of stress relief and may even help you meet new friends who share your interests.
18) Let Go of The Ego
The ego is the part of us that constantly seek validation and approval from others. It’s what leads us to compare ourselves to others and strive for perfection.
While it’s important to have healthy self-esteem, an overdeveloped ego can be detrimental to our relationships and wellbeing.
Practicing humility and learning to let go of the need to be right all the time can help you develop a more positive outlook on life.
19) Forgive Yourself
We all make mistakes—it’s part of being human. But, if you’re constantly beating yourself up over your past errors, it’s going to be hard to move forward.
Try to forgive yourself and let go of any guilt or shame you may be holding onto. This doesn’t mean you need to forget what happened, but rather that you can learn from your mistakes and move on.
20) Be More Assertive
Assertiveness is the ability to express ourselves in a way that is clear, direct, and confident without being aggressive.
Many of us have a hard time being assertive because we’re afraid of conflict or appearing rude. But, learning to be more assertive can help you better communicate your needs and wants, set boundaries, and achieve your goals.
Final Thoughts
We hope these 20 examples have given you some ideas on how to live a better life. Creating self notes can be a great way to reflect on your progress and help you stay motivated on your journey. Which of these examples resonated with you the most?