A Rose, Thorn and Bud

We all have those bad days where all we can think of are the things that went wrong, and we never think about all of the things that went right that day. The rose, thorn and bud exercise is the perfect way to break out of this mindset.

Rose, Thorn and Bud

The rose, thorn and bud is a mental exercise focused around reflecting on the positive and negative aspects of your day.

The rose, signifies something that made you happy. It could be as little as catching up with an old friend or as big as getting a job promotion. It could also be something that you just found out you like and you’ll want to make it a part of your daily routine.

The thorn is anything that didn’t go your way or something that you would want to go back and change from the day. When reflecting on the negative parts of the day, you can also think about how it could have been avoided or how you can fix it now. The thorn doesn’t necessarily have to be something negative. It could be a challenge you faced during the day and reflect back on how you overcame that challenge.

The bud is something you are looking forward to in the future. This could stem from your rose or thorn, or it could be something completely unrelated. Ending the reflection on a bud is a good way to find closure in the day and focus on the future.

Reflecting on Your Day

The rose, thorn and bud exercise can be shared with your roommates every night or even written in a journal. No matter how you do the exercise, reflecting on all parts of your day can help you practice gratuity and not let the bad moments take away from the good ones.

Taking time to reflect on your day can increase your awareness and stay grounded. Being a full-time college student, especially towards the end of a semester, can be stressful, and it’s easy to get caught up in the mayhem. All day, we stress about all of the homework and exams coming up, so think about the good things you’re looking forward to.

Tips for Reflecting

It is always important to be honest with yourself. Maybe you don’t feel comfortable telling your friends what actually made you upset from the day, but it is still something you can reflect on by yourself.

The thorn is not about dwelling on the negative parts of your day. The thorn is there for you to reflect on something that you did wrong and you want to fix or something that can be avoided in the future. Don’t get hung up on the thorn; it is there to guide you, not upset you.

The rose, thorn and bud exercise can be fun! It doesn’t have to be super serious all the time. Even if your reflections aren’t deep and emotional, you’re still taking time out of your day for yourself.

What is your rose, thorn and bud from the day? Let us know on X or Instagram @VALLEYmag!