Looking back at the week

Begin with what happened before you judge any of it.

  • Walk through the week day by day and say one thing about each.
  • Describe the moment this week you'd put on the cover of a photo album.
  • Talk about something you finished this week and how it felt to cross it off.
  • Name something that happened this week you've already half forgotten.
  • Describe a plan from Monday that didn't happen, and what got in the way.
  • Talk about who you spent the most time with this week.

Patterns you can only see across days

A single day rarely shows a pattern. A week often does.

  • Describe how your energy moved across the week, and which day was lowest.
  • Talk about a feeling that came up more than once this week.
  • Name something you did every day this week without deciding to.
  • Describe how you slept across the week and what seemed to change it.
  • Talk about one thing that kept getting pushed to tomorrow.
  • Describe a moment this week when you were kinder or sharper than usual, and what was going on.

What to keep and what to change

Choose one thing in each direction. More than that rarely sticks.

  • Name one thing from this week you want to do again next week.
  • Talk about one thing you'd drop from this week if you could.
  • Describe a small change that would make next Tuesday easier.
  • Say what you're carrying into next week that you'd rather put down.
  • Talk about something you said you'd do for someone and haven't done yet.

Looking at next week

End by pointing the next seven days somewhere.

  • Look at next week's calendar and name the day that needs the most protecting.
  • Describe one thing you're looking forward to next week and how you'll make room for it.
  • Say what would make next week a good one, in a single sentence.
  • Name one evening next week you'll keep free.
  • Talk about what you could get ready this weekend so next week starts well.

How to use these prompts

Pick a regular slot, such as Sunday afternoon or the trip home on Friday. Ten minutes is a good ceiling, because longer reviews tend to get skipped.

  • Skim this week's entries or your calendar
  • Say a prompt aloud, answer it, then move to the next section
  • Answer three or four prompts, not all of them
  • Finish with one sentence about next week

Questions about weekly reflection

How do I do a weekly review out loud?

Look over the week first, then answer a few prompts in order, from what happened to what's next. The weekly review guide has the full routine.

How long should a weekly reflection take?

About ten minutes. If you only have two, answer one prompt about what to keep and one about what to change.

Is a weekly journal enough if I don't journal every day?

Yes. One honest entry a week builds a useful record over a year. Daily notes make the weekly review easier, but they aren't required.

Look back at your week

Search, the calendar and On this day help you look back over a week of entries. With Plus, Dawn Light also builds Your week, a recap drawn from your own words.

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