august audit: an unfiltered check-in

inspired by @kritisachan's journal prompts

thought this was silly at first, wasn’t going to share but then I actually started to take it seriously and wow. happy august :)

1. What is holding me back from living the life I actually want?

Sometimes I confuse comfort with peace. I stay in familiar situations, even if they don’t serve me, because I know how to navigate them. Fear of failure—and if I’m being honest, fear of success too—can make me hesitate instead of leap.

2. How do I usually numb or distract myself when I’m overwhelmed?

Scrolling, organizing things that don’t really need organizing, online shopping for stuff I won’t buy, or obsessing over little tasks so I don’t have to face the bigger ones.

3. What emotion do I avoid feeling, and what scares me about it?

Anger. Because I was taught that expressing it made me difficult or dramatic. But pushing it down just makes it louder inside.

4. What belief do I carry about myself that might not be true?

That I have to prove my worth by being productive or helpful. That rest has to be earned.

5. Do I trust myself to make good decisions? Why or why not?

I’m learning to. My gut is usually right, but I’ve spent a long time second-guessing it because I didn’t want to disappoint people or make things uncomfortable.

6. What patterns keep repeating in my life, and what might they be trying to teach me?

Letting people stay longer than they should. I think it’s teaching me to value myself enough to stop choosing potential over patterns.

7. What version of myself am I trying to protect by not changing?

The one who needed to be liked to feel safe. The one who thought being chosen by others meant she mattered.

8. What’s one thing I need to forgive myself for, even if I’m not ready to say it out loud?

For not standing up for myself in a moment I still replay. For staying quiet when I knew better.

9. How do I respond when I feel misunderstood, and where does that reaction come from?

I shut down. I go quiet. I try to explain myself less. Probably because I learned that explaining myself didn’t always lead to being heard, just feeling more alone.

10. What values do I hold, and am I truly living by them?

I value honesty, connection, creativity, and loyalty. I think I live by them most days, but I sometimes trade honesty for harmony and silence my creativity when doubt creeps in.

11. What memory do I avoid thinking about because it still hurts?

The moment everything changed. The one that split my life into “before” and “after.” I don’t have to name it to know it shaped me.

12. If I stopped trying to be liked by everyone, what would I do differently?

Say no more. Speak up faster. Post what I actually want to post. Walk away from lukewarm energy without guilt.

13. What can I let go of, just for now, to make space for something new?

The pressure to be “on” all the time. I can loosen my grip on needing to have it all figured out right now.

14. What would I do differently if I felt 10% more confident?

Start before I’m ready. Pitch myself. Call the person. Wear the outfit. Trust that I belong in the rooms I walk into.

15. What do I need to stop saying yes to, even when I don’t want to?

Plans I don’t have energy for. People-pleasing disguised as being “easygoing.”

16. What would happen if I stopped overthinking and just acted?

I’d probably surprise myself. The worst-case scenarios usually don’t happen, but the best-case ones can’t happen if I never try.

17. What’s my definition of success, not society’s, mine?

Being able to live honestly. Creating meaningful work. Feeling proud of how I show up in relationships, especially the one with myself.

18. Where is my safe space? (It can be real, imaginary, or both.)

A breathtaking sunset. A voice memo from a best friend. My journal. Anywhere I can exhale.

19. What relationships in my life do I want to nurture more intentionally?

The ones that feel easy and deep. The ones where we don’t have to talk every day but it always feels like home when we do.

20. What childhood hobbies made me feel pure joy, and do I still make space for them?

Singing, writing stories and songs, making people laugh. I’ve let them get dusty. Maybe it’s time to dust them off. In the process of writing a book so stay tuned.

21. What do I want to be remembered for, even if just by the people closest to me?

Being real. Making people feel seen. Holding space for the hard stuff without running from it.

22. What are three things I’m genuinely excited about this month?

New creative projects. A fresh start at my new job. The subtle shift that always comes when August whispers that fall is on the way.

23. What’s something I’ve been meaning to say but haven’t found the words for yet?

You hurt me. I’ve healed. I’m not interested in rebuilding our relationship. I have forgiven but I will not forget.

24. What kind of person do I want to grow into — gently, over time?

Someone soft but strong. Someone who trusts her own voice. Someone who isn’t in a constant tug-of-war with herself. Who sets boundaries without overexplaining. Who lets joy in without waiting for the other shoe to drop. Who leads with curiosity instead of control, trusts the timing of her life, and knows she’s allowed to change her mind, her path, and her pace.

25. How do I feel at the end of the day lately? And what’s missing or working?

A mix of tired and wired. I’ve been productive but not present. What’s working: being gentle with myself. What’s missing: more quiet joy.

26. What moment from this summer do I want to carry into autumn like a warm pocket memory?

The one where I laughed so hard I forgot everything else. Being present and soaking up all the sunsets I possibly can.

27. How do I want this month to feel?

Lighter. Clearer. Chosen. More like me.