This morning, I was halfway through my first Find Your Orenda Journal, and for the first time since we created this product, I decided to sit with my own words, and ask myself:

How is this journal truly affecting my wellbeing?

I wanted to see it not as one of its creators… not as someone emotionally attached to it (maybe a little 😊 ). But as anyone who is doing the work.

And I can genuinely say this:
This journal taught me more about myself and my patterns than anything I’ve ever used before.

So I want to share my real discoveries with you, not because I think your journey will mirror mine, but because maybe my reflections will help you unlock your own.

What Patterns I Found Hidden in My Own Writing

As I reread the pages, I noticed that my answers weren’t random. They were consistent.

Here’s what kept showing up:

1. Abundance Is Both My Starting Point and My Destination

The morning questions of "How do I want to feel today?" and "What am I grateful for?" reminded me that when I start my day in gratitude, my mind naturally shifts to opportunity.

I realized abundance isn’t just the “end goal.” It’s the foundation.

When I’m aware of what’s already good, I dream bigger, with confidence, not fear.

It reminded me of a saying I love:

“When you love your life exactly the way it is, it transforms into everything you’ve always wanted it to be.”

2. Flow Is My Fuel

Whenever I answered the evening question of “What gave me energy or joy today?”

The answer was almost always something that put me in a state of flow.

Flow is that mental state where you’re fully immersed, energized and deeply focused on an activity. Time feels different, distractions fade and you are more present.

Reading this over showed me: "If I want more joy in my life… I need more flow."

3. My Close Circle Shapes My Energy

Again and again, the answer to "What gave me energy or joy?" included the same source: my family and the people I love. Not just spending time with them, but the quality of that time.

And when I answered the prompt, “What did I learn today?” their names kept coming up.

Being around people with shared values, healthy habits, and clarity made me feel reach out to my goals and dreams with ease. Being around the opposite drained me and held me back.

It’s simple, but powerful:
My community influences my habits more than I realized.

4. Clarity Changes Everything

The question: “What’s one aligned action I’ll take today?” was a game changer.

When I answered it with clarity…

• my presence increased
• my priorities became obvious
• abundance and flow followed naturally
• my anxiety decreased

Clarity became a compass I didn’t know I needed.

But Then Came My Three Worst Enemies…

Who insisted on appearing almost every single day in my answers to “What felt out of alignment?”

These were harder to face, but maybe the most important part of the journey.

1. Doom Scrolling

Yes… the black hole we all fall into.

My work requires social media. But scrolling after a long day? That wasn’t “work.” It was escape.

It drained my energy, time, and presence.

The journal helped me notice the pattern, call it out, and gradually reduce it, because awareness is half the battle.

2. Unhealthy Food Choices

It turns out my body has been sending signals I’ve been ignoring.

The wrong meal at the wrong time completely drained my energy, while mindful eating fueled my day with power.

I also realized something unsettling: The strategies that make social media addictive…are the same strategies used in food. Small dopamine hits. Short-lived pleasure. Followed by a crash.

Journaling exposed that pattern clearly.

3. People Pleasing

This one was uncomfortable to realize, even to share here.

There were times I caught myself compromising my peace to make others happy.
If someone was upset, even for reasons that had nothing to do with me, I carried that energy.

But the journal reminded me daily:

If I’m acting with kindness…
If I’m showing up as the best version of myself…
Then other people’s moods are not my responsibility.

The Values That Emerged

Just from half the journal, I discovered that my core values right now are:

• Flow
• Growth
• Community
• Clarity
• Abundance
• Presence

These weren’t chosen.
They revealed themselves.

And that is the real power of reflection.
You begin to see your inner patterns unfolding, page by page, day by day.

I haven’t finished the journal yet…
but it has already changed the way I move through my life.

Maybe, if you’re on the same journey, it can do the same for you.