Evening Reflection (Examen)

The Pythagorean and Jesuit practice of asking yourself before sleep: "What did I do well?", "What did I do poorly?", and "What did I leave unfinished?" — a systematic nightly audit of the soul.

Why this habit matters

  • Mental health: Systematic nightly self-examination reduces unconscious rumination by converting vague unease into named, addressable specifics — the examined day loses its power to disturb sleep.
  • Character: Daily honest self-assessment over years produces character — the accumulated practice of naming what you did well and poorly creates behavioral change no motivational technique can match.
  • Productivity: Closing the Zeigarnik loops at end of day frees cognitive resources during sleep and the following morning — practitioners report clearer priorities and faster task starts after regular evening review.

Related habits