REFLECTION

By Dr. Mary Killmeyer, LMFT

At House of Athlete we are redefining what it means to be an athlete. First, we believe that an “athlete” is about routine and mindset. More than a physical competitor, an athlete is a person who approaches their day, and their life, with intention and focus. The physical result we see when we think of the traditional athlete is a byproduct of that mentality. With this in mind, we feel that anyone can be athlete. It’s a way of life. So in order to train an athlete, it is imperative to attend to the whole athlete, including our mind and mental fitness as part of total body fitness. In order to lead a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle, it is necessary to care for our minds as much as we care for our bodies.

One avenue toward mental fitness is through self-assessment and reflection. To that end, we offer the below questions for you to consider as a way to reflect on different areas of your life. This general assessment will help you identify areas in your life that are functioning well and areas that you might like to work on. These questions are meant to be an introductory reflection and not a complete life assessment. You can respond to these questions in your mind, or you can write your responses out in a journal or notebook, or you might choose to work with a partner and discuss these in conversation. There is no right or wrong way, so choose a method that feels most comfortable to you.

• How do you feel today, really? Why?
• Name at least three things about yourself that make you feel proud.
• Name three things in your life that you’d like to see change.
• What goals do you have for yourself for the short term and long term future?
• What needs to be in place for you to reach these goals?
• Is anything preventing you from pursuing or reaching these goals?
• Which area of your life do you feel most successful in, and why: personal, professional, romantic? What do you attribute this success to?
• Which area of your life do you feel the least successful, and why: personal, professional, romantic? What do you attribute this lack of success to?
• What do you think about your daily habits? Would you benefit from more structure or more flexibility?
• What is your most recurrent feeling day-to-day?
• How do you want to feel on a daily basis?
• How do you react to negative feelings?
• If you are feeling low, how do you cheer yourself up?
• How do you celebrate a positive event or achievement?
• What do you value most in relationships?
• Do you feel your relationships are most beneficial to you?
• Do you feel a sense of balance in your relationships?
• How do you feel about your relationship with yourself?
• Do you feel a sense of purpose in your life? If yes, what is that purpose and what does it mean to you? If not, what would you like your purpose to be?

Great job working through the answers to these questions! You can use these responses to help you identify what you’re already doing that works and changes you’d like to make. If you would like help or a partner on this journey, consider attending our mental fitness classes on Wednesdays or working with one of our qualified therapists one-on-one. Stay tuned for more information about important mental fitness topics!.

The information contained herein is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide a diagnosis or prescribe treatment. Always check with your health care provider for personalized advice.