$pent Millennial

In a previous post, I shared how I am reading and enjoying Tara Schuster’s new book Glow in the F*cking Dark. This week, I want to share a written meditation practice she shares in her book called the Core State Journaling Practice (Schuster 2023). I did this practice and found it quite meditative and helpful in calming the overwhelm I have been feeling as I transition jobs. All credit for this exercise goes to Tara Schuster and the great minds that inspired her to create and adapt it. 

Core State Journaling Practice

1. How am I feeling? 

• Overwhelmed
• Anxious (Anticipatory)
• Hopeful
• Curious 

2. Ask the feeling what it wants. 

(Oh, so we were only supposed to have one feeling? Oops.) 

Overwhelmed it is. So, Overwhelm, what is it that you want? 

My overwhelm wants Rest. Real rest without the background noise of open tabs and to-do lists. 

3. Ask that feeling (rest) what it wants. 

Rest, what do you want? Peace. 

4. And, ask that feeling what it wants. 

Peace, what do you want? Certainty. 

5. Keep going…

Certainty, what do you want? Confidence. 

6. Pause in that. 

What do you want, Confidence?

 How do I find confidence? I find confidence by doing the hard things that I am unsure and uncertain about. By acting and doing, I can solve/eliminate uncertainty and gain confidence. 

Things that make me feel confident. 

• Remembering moving to Mississippi and entering into Teach for America after college
• My friends, Hailie and Andrew
• Chicago
• A good pair of shoes (heels) 
• When I smile (a big, genuine smile) 

7. Ask, what if each of those feelings had that core want. 

What if my Certainty had Confidence? 

Then, I would be able to accept the unknown, knowing whatever was to come would be okay because I would be able to handle it. 

What if my Peace had Confidence? 

Then, I would feel calm and still. 

What if my Rest had Confidence? 

Then, I wouldn’t feel restless in the back of my mind, thinking of the things I need to do instead of resting. 

What if my Overwhelm had Confidence? 

Then, I would know it was all going to get done and be okay. 

There it is, I will be seeking and meditating on Confidence in the next few days to help to calm my Overwhelm. I hope this practice and your very own copy of Schuster’s book, which you really should have bought be now, help you find what you need as you move through the upcoming week. 

References:

Schuster, T. (2023). Glow in the Fcking Dark: Simple Practices to Heal Your Soul, From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way*. The Dial Press. ISBN 978-0-593-24310-7​ (Penguin Random House)​​ (PublishersWeekly.com)​.