This week we’re chatting with Eloise Skinner, an author and psychotherapist specialising in existential therapy. Her newest book, But Are You Alive? explores what it means to find depth and meaning in everyday life. 

Hey, Eloise! If you could recommend One Good Thing everyone can do to improve their mental health, what would it be?

Create a personal practice of looking for meaning and purpose in everyday life. This can be done through a simple exercise called the ‘meaning tracker’: essentially a journaling exercise that enables you to observe and reflect on sources of meaning in your life.

Why is this your One Good Thing?

As a therapist specialising in existential psychotherapy, I am passionate about helping others to find meaning and purpose in everyday life. I strongly believe (supported by research) that finding a sense of meaning in life is a fundamental and significant source of wellbeing.

Interesting. How do we make a meaning tracker?

Take a sheet of paper and write the following headings: People, Places, Objects, Experiences and Hopes. Under each category, write as much as you can (taking as much time as you need or whatever time you have available). Write down everything that comes to mind, as quickly or as slowly as you like, and feel free to write in any format: drawings, bullet points, diagrams… whatever works best.

For example, under People, you could include your meaningful relationships (or any other community/colleague relationships that feel meaningful to you). Under Places, you could include all the places that make you feel most alive: from your past, present or even perhaps places from a desired future. Under Objects, list out meaningful objects in your life (jewellery, photos, keepsakes, etc.). Under Experiences, list out meaningful moments and times you can recall. Under Hopes, add all your hopes, dreams, desires and ambitions for a meaningful future.

What are the benefits of making a meaning tracker?

Once you have your list, you can track back through it and see if there are any consistent themes or overarching ideas. Then, step away from it for a while and revisit it periodically. The meaning tracker can identify the current, important sources of meaning in your life and can also give you an indication of how you’d like to shape your life in order to create a meaningful future.

Are there any common pitfalls of your One Good Thing? How can we avoid them?

Don’t be discouraged if you feel like you can’t think of enough sources of meaning – it’s not intended to be a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ exercise, just a process of exploration. You can make your categories as broad and expansive as you like, and try to approach it from a place of non-judgment, accepting your own answers without self-criticism. You can also use it as a tool to indicate where you’d like more sources of meaning in the future, so it becomes an evolving document. 

How do you personally do your One Good Thing?

I have a journal that I dedicate to meaning-tracking and reflections, and I try to return to it every month or so – adding in sources of meaning that I’m discovering in my own life and work and exploring ways I’d like to reshape or develop my life in the future.

And how has doing this changed your life and mental health for the better?

It’s given me a chance to look at my life – almost from an external perspective – and see the many sources of meaning that already existed (and where I was lacking sources of meaning). The exercise makes me feel like I have some creative authority over my own path, enabling me to move through the world with a greater sense of depth and fulfilment.

Frame Of Mind is Stylist’s home for all things mental health and the mind. From expert advice on the small changes you can make to improve your wellbeing to first-person essays and features on topics ranging from autism to antidepressants, we’ll be exploring mental health in all its forms. You can check out the series home page to get started.

Image: Getty; Stylist