This Year's Word with Courtney Symes

How to flourish physically and mentally

It's been a tremendously cold winter here in Canberra, Australia, but finally there is evidence of Spring being just around the corner. The wattle and deciduous trees are in bloom, the spring bulbs are peaking through the earth, which is slowly warming up. Before we know it, everything will be in full bloom, and flourishing.
It seems fitting that my word of the month is "Flourish".
When we think about flourishing, images of lush gardens and blossoming flowers come to mind. In wellness terms, flourishing means thriving in mind, body, and spirit—not just surviving the day-to-day.
Too often, health is reduced to diet and exercise checklists, while wellness is portrayed as a luxury spa treatment. But true flourishing in health and wellness is about balance: nourishing yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually so you can feel energized, resilient, and deeply alive.
In this episode, I’ll explore what it means to flourish from a health and wellness perspective, along with practical steps to weave flourishing into your 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 the 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 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. 

Why asking questions is the best way to learn

Do you remember being a child and asking endless questions?“Why is the sky blue?”“How do birds fly?”“Where does the sun go at night?”
Children are naturally curious. They don’t worry about whether a question sounds silly—they just ask. And in doing so, they learn about the world at a rapid pace.
As adults, many of us lose that fearless curiosity. We worry about looking foolish, being judged, or slowing others down. So instead of asking, we nod politely, pretend we understand, and move on—sometimes missing opportunities to grow.
But here’s the truth: the most successful, fulfilled, and wise people never stop asking questions. They know that asking isn’t a weakness; it’s the gateway to understanding, connection, and learning.
In this episode, I’ll explore why asking questions is essential for growth, what kinds of questions help us learn the most, and how you can make questioning a natural, joyful habit 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 the Power of Asking – 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: The power of asking

This meditation is about asking. Asking for what you need. Asking for help. Asking yourself questions that lead to growth. And asking the world to guide you, with openness and curiosity.
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 the Power of Asking – 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. 

Are you asking yourself the right questions?

Have you ever noticed how often we ask other people for advice—friends, mentors, partners—but forget to ask ourselves the deeper questions first?
We turn outward when we’re uncertain, but real growth often begins when we pause, turn inward, and gently ask: What do I really need right now? What am I meant to learn from this moment?
Asking yourself questions is like shining a flashlight on your inner world. It helps you uncover blind spots, patterns, and possibilities you didn’t even realize were there. And best of all—it costs nothing but a little time and attention.
In this episode, I’ll explore why self-questioning is so powerful, the types of questions to ask, and how to turn this practice into a daily habit that helps you flourish.
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 the Power of Asking – 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 ask someone if they’re ok

We all have moments in life when we notice someone we care about isn’t quite themselves.
Asking someone if they’re OK is one of the most powerful acts of care and connection we can offer — but it’s also something many of us struggle to do.
Continuing on our theme of “asking” on the podcast this month, in today’s episode we will explore why asking if someone is ok matters, how to approach the conversation, and how to offer meaningful support without feeling awkward or intrusive.
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 the Power of Asking – 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 power of asking for help: why it’s one of the bravest things you can do

This month, I’m focusing on “asking”. Asking can take many different forms, such as: asking better questions, asking for help, asking to seek clarity and understanding, as well as asking to learn.
In this episode, the first in my series on this topic, I will be exploring the power of asking for help.
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 the Power of Asking – 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 power of consistency + learnings from Dry July

This month I have been participating in Dry July.
Having a month-long break from alcohol is something I try to do every year, either during July or October. I do this for a couple of reasons. Firstly, to give my body a break from alcohol and allow it to detox for a few weeks, and secondly to break the habit of drinking.
In this episode, I share how I use the power of consistency to break this habit. 
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. 
 

Guided Meditation: Unlocking your creative potential

Creativity is an innate part of who we are, a wellspring of ideas and inspiration that allows us to express ourselves and solve problems in new and innovative ways. In this meditation, we will explore this inner source of creativity and learn how to connect with it more deeply.
 
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. 

Unlocking your creativity: How to become more creative in life

When was the last time you were creative?
This month (and over the holidays), I encourage you to embrace your creative side to make or try something new.
Reflect on the creative things you enjoyed doing as a child, such as painting, drawing, crafting, sewing, cooking, or making music.
How can you welcome some of these beloved activities back into your life to spark lightness and fun?
In this episode, we’ll explore the nature of creativity, why it’s important, and actionable strategies to help you unlock your creative potential. By embracing these techniques, you can foster a mindset of innovation and originality in every aspect of your life.
 
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. 
 

Guided Meditation: Finding growth

Welcome to this meditation on growth. This time is for you to centre yourself, reflect, and cultivate a deeper awareness of your personal journey. Growth can be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, and today we are going to explore how to embrace growth as a lifelong process.
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.