Sensemaking is a process of meaning making. During this process, we’ll change the relationship we have with ourselves and with others; we’ll make changes to how and where we invest our talents, skills, time and energy.

This post explores a helpful framework for change: how we get from skill to trait. I also write more about Sensemaking Studio, an online program in which you learn to cultivate your own reflective practice to support your process of meaning making.

Our ‘don’t look back’ culture shapes expectations of bouncing back quickly after a crisis. Internal Family Systems can help us understand why trying to move on too quickly after adversity can leave us with a shattered sense of self and keep us stuck. While this is a cultural issue, as individuals we can support ourselves by developing a reflective practice and engaging in trauma-informed coaching.

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear writes about identity-based habits. Seeing yourself as a reflective person is the first step. Secondly, to keep going with a reflective practice we need to keep barriers of entry low. Don’t set yourself rules around time, mood or energy levels required for worthwhile reflection. Instead: use whatever shows up on the day and let it shape your focus and process of reflection.

The suggestion to cultivate a reflective practice can feel like yet another thing to put on our to-do list, or another technique in self-betterment. It can be seen as indulgent navel-gazing in a world that needs decisive and urgent action. Ultimately, isn’t reflection something else we’ll fail to stick with?

After many failed attempts at well-known reflective practices such as Morning Pages, I decided to design my own: one that allows me to follow my own rhythm, combine words and cognitive reflection with visual and creative techniques. Today, my practice is an everchanging yet robust support system in my work and life. Curious to learn how to design your practice?