Journaling
The most powerful tool for building clarity and personal growth:
Journaling.
I believe journaling is important for many reasons. It will give different people different things, at different times.
I find that it helps to provide a calm and a clear mind, clarity on decision making, and it helps me to determine where I'm at, what I'm thinking and what I'm feeling.
Benefits of journaling.
Stress release.
Tension release.
Self awareness.
Emotional intelligence.
Creativity.
Mindfulness.
Communication.
Sleep.
Improved immune function.
For me, it's a way to brain dump. If there’s a lot going on in my head, I feel overwhelmed and anxious, or I just feel blocked and I can't think straight… Journaling is a way for me to get everything down on paper.
I was first introduced to journaling years ago by my counselor after a breakup. I wasn't doing very well mentally and she suggested journaling. At the time I had a lot of resistance. I didn't want to journal, I procrastinated and I avoided it. The funny thing is I now see this in many of my clients when I suggest journaling. But what we resist persists.
And we need to overcome this resistance so we can experience all the benefits.
How to journal.
There are a number of different ways that you can journal. And I find for the most part, people will combine a couple of these types of journaling techniques.
Free writing also known as streams of consciousness. There's no structure, there's no prompts, it's just whatever you want to get down on paper.
Bullet journaling is really popular. It has quite a specific page layout due to a dot grid pattern. I haven't used this type of journaling myself.
The unsent letter is a really powerful journaling technique. This could be a letter to yourself or to a loved one that you hold, deeply held grievances towards, i.e. a family member or an ex partner or a friend.
Simple lists. I like this. In the morning, I'll write a list of my to do for the day, which will be broken down into business, personal, etc.
Art journaling.
Daily planning.
Dream journaling.
Reflective journaling.
Gratitude journaling.
Travel journaling.
Nature journaling.
Food journaling.
How to journal:
There's no right or wrong way to journal. Whatever works for you is the best way to journal. There are some strategies and techniques to make this a consistent practice.
I find scheduling in some time, whether it's five to 10 minutes, in your calendar or diary is helpful.
Start small - i.e. 1 minute of journaling or start with writing down one word.
Create a really quiet and relaxing space, it's going to allow you to be present, check in with yourself and to actually enjoy the experience and the practice.
Purchasing a beautiful, quality journal is going to make it more attractive and encourage you to journal (it’s science I swear!).
Get your loved ones to start journaling - so your partner, your friends, your family, the people around you - get them involved.
Try not to put pressure on yourself to have to do it every day. Release the pressure.
Don't judge your handwriting or your spelling. Just practice complete and utter self acceptance.
And that’s journaling in a nutshell.
Go forth and start journaling.
It doesn’t matter how you start, all that matters is that you start.
Matilda xx
