Journaling is being used a lot these days as a tool to help individuals with all kinds of modalities. There are many types of journaling and each has its benefits and fans!
I started journaling after experiencing poor mental health. I was also deaf and mute to stress and trauma so writing was a huge relief for me. I found that using journal prompts was a good starting place and in the first instance I set myself a journaling challenge to write for at least 5 minutes a day, using a prompt and would see what happened!
I have to say, I was in for a big treat - my health improved and I started to love writing in a way that allowed me to understand myself, my emotions, my fears and my joys. I felt like I was going to a trusted therapist - one that never judged me and if they did, they would quickly be able to write about the reasons for the judgement and this was how I started to unravel years of stuff I had been carrying! The weight soon began to lift.
I loved journaling so much and started to set short tasks in workshops in addition to whatever I was teaching and the participants reported massive shifts in their own lives and mental wellbeing. The participants all had diagnoses of long-term health conditions. Journaling can be used for many things including as a stress management and self-exploration tool.
Because of my love and positive experience of journaling, I went on to train and get qualifications as a Journal Therapist and have been journaling everyday since and teaching journaling strategies in stand alone workshops in the community. I also use journaling as ‘self-work’ when coaching someone.
Journaling works best when it is done consistently however even the occasional journal practice can help in regard to processing emotions and feelings of gratitude.
Writing is good for all of us, not only because it allows us to unleash the creativity of the right brain, but also because it also has a lot of benefits; psychologically, physically, emotionally and spiritually that can improve day to day. With the journaling I use, deliver and teach, I gift to each person the skill of using the hearts intelligence - it is a very special & trusted feature in my journ
Writing helps one clarify their ideas by writing about what they think and what they feel. The simple fact of putting your ideas in writing makes you much more aware of them. When you have been writing for some time about your emotions and your way of seeing certain situations, you will discover that you have certain patterns of thought and behaviour. More often than not, we didn’t even realise we felt such emotions or that we react rather than act towards certain situations, many of these situations have been pre-programming from a young age. Now you are a ‘grown up’ your habitual impulse of reacting don’t serve you any longer and journalling and getting to know yourself better will help you change those behaviours.
Often when we write, we get triggered - sometimes the emotions are actually a mirror of something someone has apparently done to you. Using journalling to learn more about yourself and your own behaviours can help to see the triggers and why certain things, people and situations trigger you and then you have the power to choose to change what doesn’t serve you any longer!
Journaling each day helps to form good patterns of behaviour, I really miss writing when I haven’t managed to achieve it. Little habits of self-love can lead to a totally new and different lifestyle and ones tolerance level goes up as we start to understand why others possibly do as they do. We judge less and love more.
Pick up a pen and a notebook (preferably one you like because you will be more likely to write if you build a ‘relationship’ to your journal) and either free write or use the ideas listed below…
Daily Journal Prompts…
Ways I can take care of myself and love myself more include…
Ways I self-sabotage and stop myself from doing things I really would like to do.
Things I like about myself and the things I am good at.
Things and people I love - what is important to you about these things?
Positive Outcomes for your day, week, month or year
Motivational quotes that inspire you - what inspires you about this quote, what can it teach you about yourself and your own behaviour?
Habits that you want to adopt - what will adopting this habit get you and what’s important about that to you?
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Have a wonderful day. Happy journaling.
Much love & Appreciation, Always
x💚