This is the last journal prompt of the summer — and next week's Healing Moment is the final one before Season 2 launches. So this week's prompt is about making space for what's next by naming what you're ready to release.
Today's prompt:What do I want to leave behind before September?
Some ways to go deeper:
What thought pattern have you been dragging around all summer (or longer) that you're genuinely tired of?
Is there a habit or coping behavior that's stopped serving you?
Is there a relationship dynamic, resentment, or expectation you're willing to loosen your grip on?
Is there a smaller, more fearful, more apologetic version of yourself you're ready to stop leading with?
You don't have to be fully ready to release it — you just have to be willing to name it. Write it down, then write this: I am willing to leave this behind. I don't need it where I'm going.
A first look at Why You Can't Stop 🌱 Jessica shared a first glimpse behind the scenes at Why You Can't Stop — a 7-module, self-paced course for anyone whose nervous system has been stuck in go mode for so long that stopping feels unsafe. It's designed to help you understand the pattern, not just white-knuckle through it. Launching in September, with more details coming soon.
Season 2 of Healing Is My Hobby begins next Monday. 🎉
Hi, welcome back to Healing is My Hobby. I am Jessica Calarco, and this is your healing moment for the week. This is our last journal prompt for the summer, and I wanted to make it count. Next week is our final healing moment before season two launches. So this week I want to give you space to do something intentional before the new season begins. Grab something to write with and let's go.
Every September feels like a new beginning. There's something about the shift in light, the crispness in the air, the back to school energy. Even for those of us who haven't been in school for years, that signals something is starting. And with every new beginning comes an opportunity, not just to add things, new routines, new goals, new intentions, but to release things. So today's prompt.
Asks a simple, powerful question. What do I want to leave behind before September? Here are some ways to go deeper with it. What thought pattern have you been dragging around all summer, or maybe longer, that you're genuinely tired of? The belief that you're too much or not enough? The story that you have to earn rest, the habit of shrinking yourself in certain relationships.
Take time to name it. Is there a habit or behavior you've been using to cope that stopped serving you? Scrolling past the point of relief. Maybe you're scrolling past the point of brief relief or a little dopamine hit, saying yes when you mean no, overexplaining, apologizing for things that aren't yours. What is ready to go? Is there a relationship dynamic?
A resentment or an expectation that you've been holding on to that you're willing even just for a little to loosen your grip on? Is there a version of yourself a smaller, more fearful, more apologetic version that you're ready to stop leading with?
You don't have to be fully ready to release it. You just have to be willing to name it. Awareness is always the first step. Write it down. And then write this down. I am willing to leave this behind. I don't need it where I'm going.
And one more thing before you go. I've been working on something behind the scenes for a while now, and I'm finally ready to start talking about it. It's called Why You Can't Stop. And it's a course built for anybody whose nervous system has been stuck in go mode for so long that stopping actually feels unsafe. Seven modules, all self-paced, all designed to help you understand the pattern and actually shift it. Not just white knuckle through it.
It launches in September and I'll be sharing more details in the coming weeks. If this episode resonated with you at all, this course was built with you in mind.
You know, you get to decide who walks into September. You don't have to carry everything that got you here. Some of it was survival. Some of it was fear. Some of it was someone else's story that you made your own. You can set it down. Come back next Monday season two begins. I cannot wait. Be kind to yourself this week. You've done good work this summer.
If you would like to read my blog or stay up to date, you can check out information at healingismyhobby.com or you can sign up for the newsletter. You can follow me on Instagram at HealingisMyHobby or on YouTube at Healing is MyHobby. And if you'd like to know more about my clinical practice, you can visit Jessica CalarcoLCSW.com or follow me on Instagram at JessicaColarcoLCSW Keep healing. You are worth it.
