By Elena Zhidkova-Rice

"Sometimes the hardest person to know is yourself. But when you pause to reflect, even for 20 minutes, everything begins to feel clearer."

This exercise is a companion tool to my Wake the Silence Family Questionnaire series. While that series focuses on couples, today’s practice is about deepening your own self-awareness — because the better you know yourself, the more balanced and connected your relationships can become.

Aromatherapy makes this process even more calming and meaningful. The right scent can quiet the mind, soften emotions, and open the heart — creating space for reflection and healing.

✨ Your 20-Minute Self-Discovery Ritual

• Find a quiet space, light a candle, and silence distractions.

• Diffuse or inhale calming oils such as lavender, frankincense, or sandalwood to ground your mind.

• Open your journal and reflect on the following 10 questions. Write freely and without judgment.

🌿 10 Self-Discovery Questions for Reflection

1. How do I feel in this moment?

2. What (or who) leaves me feeling drained?

3. What do I value most in my life right now?

4. Which habits nourish my well-being?

5. Which habits hold me back — and how could I release them?

6. What relationships bring me peace and joy?

7. Where am I still carrying unresolved tension?

8. What dreams or goals matter most to me right now?

9. What are 5 simple ways I could nurture myself more each day?

10. What am I most grateful for today? (List at least 10 things.)

Take your time with these. The goal is not perfect answers — but honest ones.

💌 Free Printable Worksheet

To help you go deeper, I created a Self-Discovery Reflection Worksheet with 10 journaling prompts. It’s simple, printable, and designed to give you space to reflect honestly.

👉 Download Your Free Worksheet Here

Take a quiet moment, light a candle, and write freely. You may be surprised at what you uncover.

🌿 Go Deeper with Free Printable Tools

If you’d like more tools to support your growth, subscribe to my free weekly newsletters and receive my Starter Kit as a welcome gift:

✨ For Aromatherapy & Self-Care → Subscribe to Aromatherapy Weekly Free Rituals — includes the 15 Essential Oils Holistic Guide, an Aromatherapy Ritual Card, and a Journaling Card: 10 Self-Discovery Questions.

✨ For Relationships → Subscribe to Wake the Silence — a series with practical tools to strengthen relationships and marriage.

🌸 “When you breathe deeply and reflect honestly, you don’t just relax — you come home to yourself.”

💭 What about you?

Which of these 10 questions speaks to you most today? Share your reflections in the comments — I’d love to hear your thoughts.