So many people struggle to name their core values. They Google lists, circle words that sound good, or choose what they think they should value.
But the truth is, your core values aren’t something you find — they’re something you remember.
Recently, I was doing a journaling exercise — writing out my perfect day in full detail — and something struck me: Everything I truly care about… was right there on the page.
Not in bold letters. Not announced. But present in the colors, textures, and rhythms of the life I described. And I realized something powerful:
Our core values live inside the vision of our ideal day.
Not the Pinterest-perfect one. Not the one filtered by what’s “realistic.”
But the day that feels like truth.
Like home.
Like you.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from what really matters to you — if you want to live a life that feels aligned, but you don’t quite know what you’re aligning to — this post is for you.
This month inside our membership, The Reflective Circle, we’re exploring the theme of focus. And to truly focus, you need to know what matters most to you.
This exercise will take you straight to the heart of that.
Here’s your only rule: let go of “realistic.” Don’t let your brain pull you back to what’s possible or practical. This is about truthful wanting, not settling.
What do you truly desire — if nothing was off-limits?
Let’s go there.
The Exercise: Imagine Your Perfect Day
Grab a notebook. Or open a blank doc. And write this at the top:
“My perfect day starts like this…”
Now let it flow. No censoring. No trying to sound wise or spiritual or impressive.
Write it in full detail:
- What time do you wake up?
- What’s the first thing you feel?
- Where are you?
- What does the space look like?
- Who are you with, if anyone?
- What do you do with your time?
- What don’t you do?
- What fills your day with energy, joy, peace, or purpose?
Get specific. Let your imagination stretch without judgment. Describe the sounds, smells, clothes, foods, textures. Give yourself permission to want what you want.
The Magic: Finding Your Values in What You Wrote
Now, read back what you wrote. Slowly. What’s underneath the activities? What feelings do they give you? Look for clues:
- Did you spend time in nature or silence? You may value peace, solitude, or connection with the earth.
- Did you write about leading others, building something, or sharing ideas? You might value impact, vision, or influence.
- Was your day filled with creativity, movement, or beauty? You may hold freedom, expression, or aesthetics close to your heart.
- Did you emphasize joy, ease, or time with loved ones? Then play, connection, or presence could be central values.
Remember: Your values aren’t always in what you do — they’re in why it matters to you.
Why This Works (Better Than a List of Words)?
You can’t intellectualize your way into a soul truth. When you write from the heart, you bypass performance and get straight to what feels like you.
That’s why this works. You’re not guessing values based on what you admire. You’re seeing what already lives inside you. Your perfect day isn’t a fantasy. It’s a compass
Now, Bring It Into Real Life
After identifying the values that showed up in your writing, ask yourself:
- Where in my current life are these values already being honored?
- Where are they being neglected?
- What’s one small step I could take this week to align more with these values?
Values don’t ask for perfection. They ask for honesty and integrity — to live what we say matters.
You don’t need to wait for a big life overhaul. Start where you are. Honor your values in small ways — the music you play in the morning, the people you prioritize, the work you say yes (or no) to.
Because alignment doesn’t start with action. It starts with awareness.
Final Thought
You already know what matters to you.
You’ve known for a long time.
The perfect day’s exercise just helps you remember.
So go write it.
And when you’re done, don’t just see it as a dream.
See it as a map.
Your values are the landmarks.
Follow them.
With all my heart,
Salima
