About Ana Juma
As an introvert and a deep feeler, putting my thoughts on paper became the simplest way to move through life’s whirlwinds with more calm and clarity. Today, I support wellness seekers in starting and deepening a journaling practice that feels approachable, meaningful, and sustainable.
Journaling for Beginners
New to journaling and not sure where to start? This playlist is designed for beginners who want a clear, grounded introduction to journaling.
Journaling Explained
What is journaling, really, and why does it work? This playlist gives you a deeper understanding of how journaling supports personal growth and why it is such a powerful tool for self-discovery.
Journaling Ideas
Not sure what to write about? This playlist is filled with practical journaling ideas to help you stay inspired and engaged even on days when your mind feels blank.
The #1 Journaling Technique to Start 2026 with Clarity
The Wheel of Life is a simple journaling exercise that helps me to enter the new year with clarity.
It’s less about setting big goals and more about understanding where I actually am in life. When that picture is clear, decisions become easier, and meaningful steps follow naturally. In this video, I’ll explain how you can do it too.
What the Wheel of Life Is (and Why It Works)
The Wheel of Life is a self-assessment tool that gives you an overview of how satisfied you are across key areas of your life. It’s a great way to see where things feel balanced and where they don’t.
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Create Your Self-Assessment
Begin by drawing a circle and dividing it into sections, like slices of a pie. Each slice represents an area of your life. Most versions include between 8 and 12 categories, and these can be adjusted to reflect what matters most to you.
Common categories:
- Health (physical, emotional, mental)
- Spirituality (defined in your own way)
- Friends and family
- Romantic relationships
- Work or career
- Finances
- Personal growth
- Fun and experiences
Once the wheel is divided, rate your satisfaction in each area from 1 to 10, where 1 is not at all, and 10 is very satisfied.
The key here is not to overthink it. Your first instinct is usually the most honest.
The entire assessment should take no more than a minute or two. Once it’s filled in, clarity often appears immediately.
Step 2: Reflect on What You See
After completing the wheel, it’s time to reflect. A simple and effective way to do this is with a brief Feedback Write.
Look at your wheel and respond to one of these prompts:
- As I read this, I realize…
- As I read this, I notice…
- I’m surprised by…
This reflection helps connect what you see on the page with what you feel internally. You might notice, for example, that work feels steady while health or relationships are lagging.
Step 3: Turn Insight into Action
Clarity becomes useful when it leads to action. From your wheel, choose one to three areas to focus on over the coming year.
For each area, reflect on four questions:
- Where am I right now?
- Where do I want to be?
- What small steps can I take this week or next to move closer?
- What support or structure would help this stick?
To anchor this process, write a short vision statement that begins with: “I am someone who…” This matters because lasting change tends to stem from your personal identity, not pressure. When actions align with how you see yourself, they’re easier to sustain.
For example: “I am someone who honors my emotional well-being and makes space to nurture myself.”
When to Use the Wheel of Life?
While the Wheel of Life is often used at the end or beginning of a year, it’s useful anytime you’re after more clarity. Use it during life transitions, periods of uncertainty, or when you need a sense of direction.
Personally speaking, I do it every quarter. Revisiting the exercise every few months can help you stay aligned and adjust as circumstances change.