Hey, She’s a Full on Monet fam! So let me start by saying I DID NOT create this “Roses, Buds, and Thorns” mindfulness exercise and I honestly have no idea who did. I’m sure if you did your Google search you could find out, but I had someone show me this exercise once and I’ve adopted it into my daily routine. It’s been really life changing for me and I’ve shared it many times over the years with others, especially people who tend to be negative thinkers or who are strictly long-term thinkers. I find this really helps with positivity, mindfulness, and staying on track with daily goals and progress.
I think this way of thinking could be a super helpful prompt for daily journaling and would be a fantastic way to teach children mindfulness, gratitude and how to deal strategically with pain points. Let’s get into it, shall we?
Here’s the idea in a nutshell — at the end of the day, ask yourself these questions:
What were my Roses today?
A rose would be anything that went really well for you that day. Something you’re particularly proud of, maybe. What was the highlight of your day? What were you successful at today?
What were my Thorns today?
What did not go according to plan? What stressed me out or made me feel off track of my goals? What disappointments did I have today? What can I learn from them, or what needs to happen so that I can let them go and not carry them forward to tomorrow?
What were my Buds today?
What was really promising today that makes me excited for the future? What steps am I taking towards my goals that are starting to pay off? Where can I focus my energy to get me closer to where I want to be?
Here’s a printable graphic if you want help getting started:
If you do this exercise often enough, patterns will emerge that will help you see what is positive in your life, what is feeding your happiness and what may be hindering your progress. It’s invaluable information that can help you make better choices, see patterns of behavior in yourself and others which may be subtly impacting you in negative ways, and it can help you become much more self-aware. You can try this as a journaling exercise, or if you’re into meditations, listen to a helpful Rose-Bud-Thorn mindfulness guided meditation here.
Whether you’re trying to build an empire, get to a specific health goal, or simply want to live a more mindful existence, this exercise is beneficial to all! I’d love to hear if you try it and if it helps you.
Have you tried this or other mindfulness exercises before? Which mindfulness practice have you found to be the most beneficial to you? Let us know in the comments below!
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