Falling Into Fall: Awareness, the First Pillar of Navigating Change
- Peggy Washburn
- Aug 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 25
Falling Into Fall: Awareness, the First Pillar of Navigating Change
Change often sweeps into our lives quietly—like leaves shifting color one morning, or a subtle ache that wasn’t there the day before. And yet, the first step to truly navigating any change is one we often overlook: awareness.
As I shared in the introduction to this series, navigating change isn’t just about surviving it—it’s about moving through it with intention, resilience, and clarity. And none of that can happen without first noticing what is actually changing, both around us and within us.
Awareness: The First Pillar of Navigating Change
Awareness is the practice of tuning in—to your body, your thoughts, your emotions, and the shifting world around you. It’s more than a passing observation; it’s a conscious decision to notice and name what’s happening in the present moment.
What’s shifting in your energy?
What emotions are showing up lately?
What habits or routines no longer feel aligned?
Where are you feeling resistance—or a quiet desire for something new?
So often, we try to jump to solutions or strategies without pausing to truly see where we are. But awareness gives us the data we need to make intentional, grounded decisions. It’s the flashlight in the fog of change.
Journaling as a Tool for Awareness
One of the most accessible and powerful ways to cultivate awareness is through journaling. Putting pen to paper creates space to slow down, observe what’s happening, and tune into the changes unfolding in your life. It helps bring clarity to emotions, shifts, and needs that might otherwise stay beneath the surface.
To support this kind of mindful noticing, I created the Gratitude in Focus journal series—not just to nurture gratitude, but to help you cultivate awareness, emotional clarity, and resilience as you move through life’s transitions.
Whether you’re just getting started or ready to dive deeper into the full experience of navigating change, there’s a journal to support your journey:
🌿 Gratitude in Focus: 12 Intentional Moments of Reflection and ThankfulnessThis is a simple and inviting place to begin. With just twelve focused entries, this journal is perfect for brief but meaningful check-ins. Each prompt helps you observe what’s changing and how you're responding—supporting the first pillar, Awareness, without overwhelm. It’s ideal for transitional seasons or when you just need a gentle anchor.
🌅 Gratitude in Focus: 21 Days to Develop a Sustainable Practice of GratitudeThis is your guide for going deeper. Designed as a three-week journey, this journal gives you a structured rhythm for exploring all Five Pillars of Navigating Change:
Stay present and set intention (Awareness + Intention)
Notice emotional and physical shifts (Awareness + Support)
Develop grounded daily habits (Adaptation + Support)
Recognize growth and make adjustments (Reflection)
At the end of each week, you’ll find prompts that invite you to pause, look back, and integrate what you’ve learned—making this a full-circle tool for transformation, not just observation. It’s an empowering way to build a sustainable rhythm of awareness that supports you well beyond the 21 days.
From Awareness to Intention
As you become more aware of what’s changing—internally or externally—you create space to respond with greater clarity and purpose. This is where intention comes in.
Intention is not about control. It’s about alignment. It’s the act of choosing how you want to move through change, even when the path ahead is unclear. Setting an intention allows you to anchor into your values, your needs, and your deeper why.
Both Gratitude in Focus journals include a section called Prepare the Heart, designed to help you pause and set a meaningful intention at the start of your journaling journey. While originally written with gratitude in mind, these prompts also beautifully support navigating change—especially when paired with a few deeper questions for reflection.
Here’s how to use that section as a bridge between Awareness and Intention:
Prompt 1: Why do you want to focus on gratitude during the 21 days?
💡 Additional prompts for navigating change:
What changes are you currently navigating that make this a meaningful time to write?
How can journaling support you in noticing the shifts in your body, emotions, or surroundings?
Why is it important for you to reflect on change instead of just moving through it quickly?
Prompt 2: What is the deeper purpose behind your desire to cultivate this practice?
💡 Additional prompts for navigating change:
How do you hope journaling will change the way you move through life transitions?
In what ways could journaling help you face uncertainty with more clarity and confidence?
How might writing about change give you perspective and help you see opportunities instead of obstacles?
Prompt 3: My focus and intentions for this journal: What do I hope to gain through this practice?
💡 Additional prompts for navigating change:
What specific change or transition do you want to navigate more intentionally during these 21 days?
How do you want journaling to help you move through this change—with steadiness, courage, or acceptance?
What outcome would make you feel that journaling truly supported you in navigating change?
Taking the time to thoughtfully respond to these prompts gives your journaling purpose. It helps you begin with clarity, honesty, and heart—all of which support the next steps of your journey.
You don’t need to have the “right” answers—just your real ones. Let your intention evolve as you move forward. What matters is that you’ve taken the time to ask: What do I need most right now? and How do I want to move through this?
A Gentle Beginning
You don’t need to fix, solve, or fully understand anything today. Just begin by becoming aware.
🌿 Notice the seasons shifting outside your window.
🌿 Notice the changes stirring in your body, thoughts, or energy.
🌿 Notice what you’re carrying—and what you may be ready to set down.
🌿 Notice the stories you’re telling yourself about change—and whether they’re still true.
🌿 Notice what you need most right now.
You don’t need to have the “right” answers—just your real ones. Let your intention evolve as you move forward.
This is the work of Awareness. And it’s a beautiful, brave first step.
👉 Ready for the next step? In the next post, we’ll explore the second pillar: Adaptation—how to adjust your habits, mindset, and self-care to support yourself through change with resilience and grace.
Until then, I invite you to take five minutes each day to journal, breathe, and simply be aware. You may be surprised how much clarity emerges when you pause to listen.
Stay supported through every change. Subscribe now for tips, tools, and inspiration to reset, replenish, and thrive.
Weekly tips, tools, and inspiration to help you navigate change with ease.
Guiding You Through Change
I started with doTERRA shortly after it launched, having already used essential oils for 15 years. But when my sister gave me a bottle of doTERRA Wild Orange, it was a game-changer. The moment I opened it and inhaled the scent, I was in awe. It was a mood-shifting experience that sealed my commitment to doTERRA and my journey began. How could you not smile when you smell Wild Orange? That was over 15 years ago.
More recently, I expanded my passion for wellness and personal growth into creating transformative journals. These journals are designed to inspire growth, intention, and personal transformation. I am passionate about helping others on their unique journeys of self-discovery. I craft journals that combine meaningful prompts with reflection to help individuals embrace change and cultivate a life of purpose.
Comments