Reflection Questions for Summer’s End

As we head off into September, many of us are feeling that end-of-summer lull. Cue: existential crises and anxious reflection. But channelling that nervous energy into a calmer kind of thoughtfulness can actually be quite freeing. So, we’ve put together a reflection exercise that’ll help you realise what’s important to you right now, how much you’ve changed over the past few years, and where you might want to head next - all in a stress-free way. Use these prompts however you like: ponder them on a walk, write down answers in your journal, or even use them as dinner table conversation starters!

And as a little bonus - we’ve filled out the questions ourselves! Read on to learn a bit more about us, and maybe a little more about yourself too.

Julia

What’s one major thing you want to do in your life?

I want to settle down and become incorporated into my local community. I’ve moved several times in my life, and although it's been fun, it’s made me yearn for something more stable. I want to pick a place I love, make it my long-term home, and become involved in local initiatives.

What’s one smaller or less serious goal you want to achieve in the next five years? 

I’ve started a tattoo sleeve that I’d love to finish. I’ve got a lovely floral piece on my arm that I want to incorporate into a larger work, but high quality tattoos are so expensive!

How do you make yourself feel at home in an unfamiliar place?

Snuggling up in bed and watching one of my comfort shows. I recently spent over a week in a slightly dodgy hostel, and I am convinced that rewatching Glow Up episodes was the only way I survived eight nights on the thinnest mattress known to man.

What’s one life lesson you’re trying to learn, but you still need to internalise?

I struggle to speak up when something makes me uncomfortable! I’ve been getting better at it over the years, but I often take so long to come to terms with the fact that I should’ve spoken up that I tend to blurt out my true feelings at random several weeks later. It’s not ideal.

What’s your favourite part of your routine?

I love going on a walk at night. I’m lucky enough to live in a part of town that’s busy enough at night to not be creepy, but not *too* busy that you can’t get reflective. Nightly walks are when I feel most in-tune with the world around me.

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received? What’s the best advice?

Worst advice: I think a lot of the messages I received as a child involved going to elite schools and getting high status jobs. Prestige was paramount. Now, I couldn’t feel more differently - my goals are mostly small-scale, and they focus on my own and others’ wellbeing.

Best advice: To think first about whether you like someone, rather than if they like you. I get so caught up in trying to be likeable that I don’t really spend much time reflecting on whether or not I truly vibe with people. Now, I’m becoming more choosy about who I spend my time with!

What’s your best memory from the past two weeks?

Last week, I discovered a stunning park with a friend of mine. We were both completely bewildered with how gorgeous it was, and decided to grab food at a restaurant that overlooked the park. When something beautiful and unexpected happens in my day, it’s sure to make my week. 

Holly

What’s one major thing you want to do in your life?

Have a family! 

What’s one smaller/less serious goal you want to achieve in the next five years? 

I really want to drive abroad! I lost some confidence driving a couple of years ago and have been working to bring myself back up to speed. I’m happy cruising around the UK now, and I’d love to drive in another country to feel like I’ve totally conquered it. 

How do you make yourself feel at home in an unfamiliar place?

Have a cup of tea. Always. 

What’s one life lesson you’re trying to learn, but you still need to internalise?

I think trusting my own instinct and not needing outside approval. It’s hard and I can see it in hindsight, but I still struggle in the present moment with feeling like I need people I trust to back my decisions or tell me something is okay. 

What’s your favourite part of your routine?

Predictably: the first cup of tea of the day. Bonus points for the weekend ones in bed. 

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received? What’s the best advice?

Worst advice: anything to do with sticking out a bad situation for too long because it ‘will be worth it’. I think that’s a bit of a fallacy. 

Best advice: do the ‘active’ thing. This basically means, when you have a choice to do one thing or another - like staying in or going to an event - try and go for the active thing. I think a lot of self-care discourse encourages us to opt out of stuff, when opting in can give us energy and feel nourishing. 

What’s your best memory from the past two weeks?

I just moved into a new flat with two of my best friends and at night time we’ve been sitting on my bed together having conversations. It reminds me of being at university and I’ve loved every second. 

Fozz

What’s one major thing you want to do in your life?

Contribute to a movement that makes a real difference in the world - whether that’s joining a local community action group or getting properly involved in advocacy work. I think a lot about the state of things when my future nieces and nephews grow up and I want to confidently say that I fought for a better world for their generation and I didn’t sit back.

What’s one smaller or less serious goal you want to achieve in the next five years? 

I’ve always been interested in growing a skill like origami or British Sign Language. I also want to perfect my skincare routine - although that’s not a less serious goal for me because I am *very* serious when it comes to my skin regime.

How do you make yourself feel at home in an unfamiliar place?

I find a lot of comfort in my signature style pieces, so I always find I relax into my gestures and body a bit more when I’m wearing my rings or am a bit more chatty when I’ve got massive, dangly earrings in. That’s more when I’m around new people in an unfamiliar setting, but if I’m staying in a strange place, switching on morning TV always reminds me that no matter where I am, breakfast telly is always absurd and hilarious.

What’s one life lesson you’re trying to learn, but you still need to internalise?

It’s okay to admit that you’re not doing that well. I’m guilty of cracking a joke when things get a bit emotional and vulnerable, and while there’s always room for laughter, it can coexist with being honest about what’s going on in your life.

What’s your favourite part of your routine?

My morning shower. I am known for taking ages to get ready in the bathroom but it’s just because I don’t like to be rushed and it’s the most transformative part of my day. I can do a thorough skincare routine, reenergise my hair, and have complete control over the music selection. If you’re feeling sad/grumpy/tired, you just probably need a shower to change your mood.

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received? What’s the best advice?

Worst advice: Don’t wear bright/bold colours. It breaks my heart when someone doesn’t think they can pull off something “too loud” - I promise the sun will shine brighter if you adorn yourself in fuschia pink.

Best advice: Don’t wait for someone else to have fun. While I love doing stuff with other people, I don’t need to always wait for a friend to reluctantly come to a theatre show or see a movie with me, I can still have amazing experiences and find happiness in doing things by myself. Also, wear SPF everyday.

What’s your best memory from the past two weeks?

Watching films with my parents and the family dog. I’m always happier when a movie’s playing and our dog is a big cuddler - plus a trip home to see my parents was just what I needed.