Every Day I Write the Book

I have kept a journal on and off for the last thirty-five years. Journaling is one of the most successful development tools I recommend to my clients if there are more successful developmental tools. Journaling is the most effective bedrock practice you can cultivate. It has helped me become more aware of my thoughts, drivers, behaviour, and reactions. Plus, I periodically write down lessons learned and milestone moments passed to have a reference and a record of what has happened and what worked so I may use it in the future.

?Journaling is the most effective bedrock practice you can cultivate.

Journaling has helped me do the following things:

·?????? Illuminate my understanding and thoughts.

·?????? Get to know myself better.

·?????? Disentangle painful emotions.

·?????? Understand the other’s point of view and manage conflict.

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In fact, so powerful is journaling that Maud Purcell, a psychotherapist, founder and executive director of the Life Solution Centre of Darien , and journaling expert, says, “Writing accesses our left hemisphere of the brain, which is analytical and rational, while our left brain is occupied, our right brain is free to do what it does best, i.e. create, intuit and feel. Hence, journaling and writing removes mental blocks and allows us to use more brainpower to better understand ourselves and the world around us.”

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Without question, journaling has been the top inspiration for everything I do. Journaling is a habit you can recommence at any time. You don’t have to journal daily; even a few times a week is precious.

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You do not need to make a massive commitment. You can try it for ten days. I recommend spending five to ten minutes a day reflecting on your journal. When the ten days are up, return and review what you have absorbed and the growth you’ve made. Then, you can decide if you want to continue journaling. I would also encourage you always to carry your journal and have it available during the day. Some people are very structured regarding when and where they journal. I would invite you to make sure you choose a time when you will be uninterrupted from doing your journaling. Journaling helps us deepen our connection with ourselves and expands our self-awareness to better connect with others. I have noticed in my work that when clients write down and note their thoughts and feelings and record their emotions, their growth is more sustainable and enduring.

You may find that journaling also helps you release some of your emotional responses to events that have happened throughout the day to deal with any?stress. This can help you process and may encourage you to explore more positive reframing options.

Remember, when you journal, bring your whole self to the process.