For the woman who has been running her life instead of living in it — managing everyone's day, answering "I'm fine," and quietly losing track of what she actually wants. This free printable worksheet treats preference as a muscle, and gives you the first set of repetitions.

What's inside

• A prompt for what you set down "for now" and never picked back up
• The tells — irritation at being asked how you are, over-functioning then resenting the room, loneliness inside good company
• A return to the last time you knew clearly what you wanted
• Three small preferences to practice this week: the mug, the long way home, the honest answer to a small question
• The hour you are taking back, with day, time, and place written down
• A prompt for the rule about being a good woman you are ready to stop obeying

Who it's for

Christian women who over-function — mothers, caretakers, ministry leaders, and anyone who has become so competent at holding everything that no one thinks to ask how she is.

How to use it

Answer in small, specific terms rather than sweeping ones. Expect about two weeks of guilt afterward. Guilt is not a signal to stop; it is the sound of an old rule losing its authority.

Details

• Format: printable PDF, US Letter (8.5 x 11 in)
• Length: 3 pages
• Delivery: instant digital download after checkout
• Part of the September 2026 issue, Returning

Common questions

Is this selfish? The worksheet is built around small preferences and one reclaimed hour, not around withdrawing from the people you love.

What if I cannot think of anything I want? That is the common starting point, and prompt three exists for exactly that.

Is it faith based? It is written for Christian women and shaped by that lens, though these particular prompts are reflective rather than passage based.