This Year's Word with Courtney Symes

How to celebrate the small things

As we reach the final weeks of the year, many of us find ourselves reflecting — thinking about what went well, what changed, and perhaps what still feels unfinished.
It’s so easy, in these moments, to look back through the lens of achievement — to measure our worth by the goals we ticked off, the projects we completed, or the milestones we reached.
But what if we shifted that lens, just a little?
What if, instead of asking, “What did I accomplish?” we asked, “What did I enjoy?”What if we ended this year not by chasing one more thing to do, but by noticing all the small, beautiful things that already are?
Over the next few episodes, we’re going to explore the theme of “Celebrate.”
Now, when we think of celebration, our minds often jump to birthdays, weddings, or milestones marked with balloons and cake. But in this series, we’ll look a little deeper. Celebration isn’t just about the big moments — it’s about recognising the quiet triumphs, the small joys, and the simple beauty of being alive.
To celebrate means to pause — to notice what’s good, what’s growing, and what’s worth honouring in our lives. It’s an invitation to shift from striving to appreciating, from waiting for the next thing to savouring this one.
In the coming weeks, we’ll explore what it really means to celebrate — not just the moments that go perfectly, but the ones that surprise us, shape us, and even challenge us.
We’ll begin by looking at everyday gratitude, then explore how to celebrate others, why it’s important to celebrate progress over perfection, and finally, how to find celebration even in endings and new beginnings.
Because celebration, at its heart, isn’t about noise or glitter — it’s about presence.It’s about saying, “This moment matters.”
Today’s episode is about celebrating the small things — the quiet moments, the simple pleasures, and the everyday joys that often slip by unnoticed.Because when we learn to see and celebrate them, we begin to experience life in its fullness — not as a finish line, but as a series of tiny, shining moments worth savouring.
 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on celebration – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month!
Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day.
All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

How to find joy in the unexpected

If you’ve ever had one of those moments where life didn’t go according to plan — where everything you’d so carefully arranged suddenly shifted — you’ll know the mix of emotions that can follow.
There’s that initial shock, maybe even frustration, as you think, “This isn’t what I pictured.”
But sometimes, once the dust settles, there’s something else waiting there too — a quiet sense of curiosity, or even wonder, about what might come next.
This episode is all about that — finding joy in the unexpected.We’re exploring how surprise, uncertainty, and change — the very things we often resist — can actually become sources of growth and delight.
 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on variety – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month!
Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day.
All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

Embracing variety in people and perspectives

If you’ve ever had a conversation with someone whose worldview completely challenged your own — maybe a friend, a family member, or even a stranger — you’ll know that it can feel both uncomfortable and enlightening.
It’s that moment when you realise: there are so many different ways to see the world.
This episode is all about that realisation — about embracing variety in people and perspectives, and how connecting with diverse minds, ideas, and experiences helps us grow into fuller, wiser, more compassionate versions of ourselves.
 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on variety – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month!
Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day.
All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

The balance between routine and variety

If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting everything to stay the same and craving something new, you’re not alone. We all live somewhere along that spectrum, constantly shifting between comfort and curiosity, between the familiar and the unknown.
This month, we’re contemplating the theme of Variety, and in this episode, I explore something that touches all of us — the dance between routine and variety. How do we find harmony between stability and change? How can we use both to feel grounded and alive, calm yet inspired?
 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on variety – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month!
Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day.
All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

Guided Meditation: Flourish

This meditation is about flourishing - as an individual and in your connection with others. 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on flourishing – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month! Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day. All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
 
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

The importance of variety and why it keeps us energised

When was the last time you did something different?
It could be trying a new food, taking a different route on a walk or run, listening to a new podcast, or something more extreme like moving house or taking an extended trip to somewhere you’ve never been before.
How did this change make you feel? Exhilarated? Or down-right terrified?
As they say, “variety is the spice of life”, so over the next few episodes, I’m going to explore the theme of variety — that beautiful, unpredictable element that brings colour and richness to our lives. Variety keeps us curious, inspired, and awake to the world around us. It helps us grow, stretch, and rediscover who we are beyond routine and familiarity.
In this episode, we’re going to start by exploring why variety keeps us energised — and how small shifts in our everyday lives can reignite our sense of enthusiasm and creativity.
 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on variety – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month! Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day. All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

Connection creates confidence — how relationships build (or break) self-belief

Over the last few episodes, we’ve been exploring what it means to build confidence — that deep, quiet belief in yourself that doesn’t waver when life gets hard.
We’ve talked about body language — how the way we carry ourselves shapes the way we feel — and we’ve explored self-talk, those inner words that can either lift us up or quietly hold us back.
Today, we’re exploring another piece of the confidence puzzle — one that is often overlooked, but deeply powerful: connection.
Because confidence doesn’t grow in isolation. It grows in community — through the people who believe in us, challenge us, and reflect our strengths back when we can’t see them for ourselves.
In this episode, we’re diving into what it means to build confidence through connection — the role of relationships, mentors, and community in shaping self-belief, and how to surround yourself with the kind of support that helps you rise.
 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on confidence – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month! Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day. All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

The Confidence Toolkit — Daily Habits That Build Self-Esteem

Over the last few episodes, we’ve been exploring what it means to build true confidence — the kind that doesn’t rely on constant validation or applause, but that quiet, steady belief that whispers… you’ve got this.
We’ve talked about how our body language shapes our mindset, and how our self-talk can either lift us up or quietly hold us back.
Today, we’re going to bring all of that together — in a really practical way — by exploring the habits that help us rise.
In this episode, I share my Confidence Toolkit — a collection of small, repeatable habits that strengthen your self-esteem, and help you rise, day by day.
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on confidence – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month! Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day. All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

Speak without words – how body language shapes your confidence

Before we even say a word, people are already forming an impression of us. The way we stand, the way we hold ourselves, whether we look someone in the eye—it all speaks volumes.
But here’s the secret: body language doesn’t just influence how others see us. It also changes the way we feel about ourselves.
In this episode, I walk you through the fascinating connection between body language and confidence, and share some really practical tips you can use to instantly feel more grounded, more capable, and more confident.
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on confidence – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month! Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day. All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook. 

The secret to inner confidence

Over the next few episodes, we’re going to explore the theme of confidence.
Now, confidence is one of those qualities that we all admire in others and often wish we had more of ourselves. But here’s the thing — confidence isn’t about being loud, or extroverted, or having all the answers. True confidence, the kind that lasts, comes from within.
It’s not about impressing others or ticking boxes of success. It’s about cultivating a deep sense of trust in ourselves — trust in our abilities, our values, and our unique way of showing up in the world.
So today, we’re diving into this idea of confidence from within — why it matters, what gets in the way, and most importantly, how we can begin to nurture it in everyday life.
 
If the content of today’s episode has piqued your interest, I have something very special for you. I have created 30 Journal Prompts, similar to the ones mentioned throughout this episode on confidence – that’s one life-changing prompt for you to work on every day over the next month! Just imagine how much growth you can unlock over the next 30 days if you keep the momentum going and commit to answering one prompt a day. All you need to do to get these thought-provoking prompts is leave a positive rating and review for this podcast, take a screenshot of your review and email it to: courtney@alittlepinkbook.com and I’ll email you the prompts!
Check out my courses: Magical Mornings and Joyful Journaling Journey, as well as my book, A Year of Love: Finding peace one day at a time. 
Grab your FREE How to Ask Someone if They're Ok Conversation Starters and FREE Journaling Guide with 100+ prompts here. 
Read more on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook.