Who Supports Me? Journaling Prompts to Explore Your Trusted Circle

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There’s a quiet power in knowing who stands beside you, especially when life feels uncertain or your energy runs low. As a creative entrepreneur navigating chronic illness or neurodivergence, support isn’t just a bonus, it’s a necessity. But how often do we actually pause to reflect on who truly supports us?

Journaling can be a gentle mirror. It helps us see not only who is in our circle but how those relationships impact us, emotionally, energetically, and practically. This isn’t about making a perfect list of “best friends” or “business contacts.” It’s about noticing: who holds space for you, who energizes you, and where you might need more nourishment.

Let’s explore how to reflect on your support system with honesty, compassion, and curiosity.

Why Your Support System Matters

For many solopreneurs, especially those managing chronic health conditions, the path can feel isolating. You’re not just building a business, you’re doing so while navigating doctor appointments, fatigue flares, brain fog, or sensory overwhelm. In this reality, the people around you can either help you feel rooted or leave you feeling untethered.

A strong support system doesn’t have to mean a big one. It might include a partner who brings tea when your joints ache, a friend who checks in via voice note, or a fellow maker on Instagram who reminds you it’s okay to move slowly.

Journaling helps reveal the relationships that might go unnoticed, the quiet encouragement, the emotional labor, the moments of presence. It also shines light on gaps or imbalances we’ve been tolerating.

Journaling Prompt: Who Do I Trust with My Goals?

Trust is tender. When we think about who supports us, one of the most telling questions is: Who do I feel safe sharing my dreams with?

Maybe you’ve been burned before, dismissed, criticized, or misunderstood. That leaves a mark. But writing it out gives space for clarity.

Try exploring these journal prompts:

  • Who do I feel seen by?
  • Who celebrates my wins, big or small?
  • Who gives me energy vs. drains it?
  • When I imagine telling someone a vulnerable goal, who comes to mind, and why?

Notice what comes up. There’s no need to judge your answers. This is about awareness, not action (yet).

Assessing the Quality of Your Support

Not all relationships are created equal. Some offer deep nourishment while others, even if well-intentioned, may leave you feeling hollow or exhausted. Especially if you’re someone who has learned to over-function or mask needs, journaling can reveal patterns you’ve unconsciously accepted.

Ask yourself:

  • What does support look like for me right now?
  • How have my needs shifted in the last 6 months?
  • Who listens without fixing?
  • Where do I feel pressure to perform or pretend I’m okay?

Red flags might show up as guilt after conversations, reluctance to reach out, or a recurring sense of being dismissed. That doesn’t mean you need to end every relationship, but it might signal a need for boundaries or redirection of energy.

Deepening the Connection: What Can I Offer Back?

Support flows best when it’s reciprocal, but reciprocity doesn’t mean equal effort. Especially for those living with limited energy, giving back might look softer, slower, or smaller than traditional norms.

What matters is intention.

Use your journal to explore:

  • What small gesture could deepen this connection?
  • What kind of support feels sustainable for me to offer?
  • When do I feel most connected to others?

Maybe it’s replying with a voice note instead of typing out a long message. Maybe it’s sending a friend a link to a playlist you made. Small doesn’t mean insignificant.

Creating a Gentle Connection Plan

Once you’ve mapped out who’s in your corner and how those relationships feel, consider one or two gentle ways to engage or reconnect. You don’t need to overhaul your social life. Think micro-movements.

Here are a few ideas to try:

  • Send a “thinking of you” postcard with no expectations attached (great for low-energy weeks).
  • Schedule a 10-minute voice memo exchange once a month.
  • Gently check in with someone who’s been on your heart.
  • Share a piece of your creative work with someone you trust.

Use your journal to jot down 2–3 ways you’d like to connect in the coming weeks. Keep it realistic. Keep it soft.

Final Thoughts

You are not meant to carry everything alone.

Taking time to reflect on your support system is an act of self-trust. It says: My needs matter. My connections matter. I deserve to feel held, even in small ways.

Return to these prompts anytime you feel adrift. Your circle may shift, and that’s okay. What matters most is your clarity, and your care. Learn more tools to deepen clarity in our growing Journal & Workbook Collection and join the TJSM newsletter for ongoing journaling prompts, self-compassion practices, and energy-led business tips.

🛍️ Recommended Tools & Resources

Affiliate links included, thank you for supporting TJSM Studios

  • Ink+Volt Notepads – Perfect for jotting down connection plans or keeping a visible support list during low-energy moments.
  • Postable – A simple way to send physical postcards even when writing feels challenging. I love and use this service for all my kids and grandkids, so I never miss a birthday. 
  • Loop Earplugs – Ideal for neurodivergent hearts needing sensory grounding in social spaces.

📝 10 Guided Journal Prompts for Deeper Reflection

  1. Who helps me feel grounded when I’m overwhelmed?
  2. What kinds of support do I find most nourishing right now?
  3. Who do I reach out to when I’m excited, and why?
  4. Are there people I’ve pulled away from, and what led to that?
  5. What role do I play in others’ support systems?
  6. How do I feel about asking for help?
  7. What’s a memory of feeling deeply supported?
  8. Who in my life models the kind of presence I admire?
  9. How does my support system reflect my current season of life?
  10. What would “being held” look like for me this week?

Suggested AI Prompt for Readers

You can use this prompt in ChatGPT or any AI assistant to help you take action on this blog topic.

“Help me reflect on my current support system with 5 journaling prompts that explore trust, emotional safety, and reciprocal connection. Make them gentle and self-compassionate.”

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Who Holds Me? A Gentle Reflection on Support & Connection PDF
A printable worksheet with reflective questions to identify and evaluate current support.

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