Do you journal? If not, why not?
I know that journaling is something that many people think of as new agey or woo woo. But let me tell you, journaling can really help you dig deeper into yourself and tap into your latent abilities.
Maybe you haven’t journaled since you were a kid. Or maybe you’ve never tried it and don’t see the point. But the act of putting your feelings on paper is freeing and can help you figure out how to change your life when it feels like nothing is going your way. Journaling is one more way of managing your stress before your stress manages you. Read on for five ways that journaling can help you help yourself.
Find Out What’s Important To You
One form of journaling is called automatic writing or free writing. The easiest way to do this type of writing, is to set a timer, put pen to paper and just write whatever comes to mind. Don’t think about what you’re writing, don’t judge what you’re writing and don’t censure what you’re writing. Just allow yourself to write until the timer goes off.
When you automatically write, in the long run, you end up writing about the things that are most important to you. Maybe it’s something at first glance you didn’t even think twice about or didn’t think of as that important, but when you review what you’ve written you may find something that can guide you to where you can find the most reward in your life.
For example, if you find yourself coming back over and over again to the idea of starting your own business, then that’s something that you should consider pursuing because it’s a dream that’s important to you. When things seem to be going awry, that may be the very time that you decide to take a chance and see what happens. Journaling can help you choose what to take a chance on.
Keep Track Of Successes
When living life often we get used to living in a routine (sometimes otherwise known as a rut). This makes it easy to overlook the fact that we’ve had successes in the past based on taking certain small actions. Over time, journaling helps us see all the successes we’ve had, even when life isn’t going the way we want it to. Using a journal as a form of tracking successes can bring a great deal of comfort when times are tough. As such, it’s important that you regularly review your journal writings.
Let Go Of Emotions That Hold You Back
One of the best things about a journal is that it’s a safe place. You can share your deepest fears and worries in a journal. The people or events that let you down, the secret fear that makes you hold back instead of letting your light shine, the lack of confidence you feel when faced with certain situations. Whatever it is, you can write it in your journal.
When you’re feeling down, often rather than needing advice about a situation, you’re more in need of a sounding board. Journaling gives you that sounding board. You can let out and then let go of past hurts and failures, our needs and wants, without having to tell anyone else about them if you don’t want to. Writing is cathartic; it can help you release old emotions and beliefs that are no longer serving you. Letting go of those old emotions and beliefs is a form of stress management.
Got Questions? You’ve Also Got Answers
People who journal often report that they find the answers to problems within themselves by using journaling to tap into their unconscious. I’m a firm believer that each of us has the answers to our problems deep inside and it’s just a matter of accessing those answers (which can sometimes be really difficult and scary). Journaling is a great way to access those answers in a positive way. Being open and honest with yourself about your struggles usually ends up making it easier to find the answer you’re looking for because it’s there in black and white.
Encourages Creativity
As you may know, I’m also a firm believer that creativity is a form of self-care. Because tapping into your creative side usually means engaging in some kind of hobby which provides stress relief.
Many people who journal express their creativity in the journal in different ways such as writing poetry, doodling or drawing. As I said earlier, your journal is a safe haven. There’s no judgment from others, just an open invitation to express yourself in whatever way feels best. Being open to allowing your creativity to spring forth is another way that problems get solved because your mind is open to all possibilities.
So there you have it, 5 ways that your journal can help you to improve your life. It’s all about making time.
Let’s talk, how does journaling help you? Let me know in the comments section.
Cassandra Martin-Himmons is a trainer, wellness coach and consultant who believes in empowering her clients and providing the tools that they need to make positive changes in their lives to manage their stress and increase their self-care. In her spare time, she enjoys papercrafting, volunteering and travel. Connect with her on Instagram or Linked/In