The Power of Journaling

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”?—?William Wordsworth

I love journaling!? It’s been a regular part of my life since I was a kid, although I have stopped and started at various times.? I seem to journal most when something feels a little bit off and I’m trying to get clarity or sort through it.? When things are just chugging along, I don’t seem to need it as much.? Recognizing the role that journaling plays for me, I’ve come to really see it as a critical tool in my toolbox for living -- a tool that I can pull out and use whenever I need to make a change or think through a situation.

That said, people can use journaling for many purposes, and it can come in many forms.? Here are a few specific ways I’ve found journaling to be helpful:

1.???? Emotional Clarity: Journaling allows me to express my thoughts and emotions freely, which can help me gain clarity and understanding. It provides a space to process emotions and reduce the mental clutter.? If I find myself writing about the same thing that is bothering me day after day, I know it’s an issue that I need to act on and address.

2.???? Stress Relief: Writing about my worries, challenges, and frustrations can serve as a form of emotional release, reducing stress and anxiety. Writing helps me organize my overwhelming or repetitive thoughts and can offer a sense of relief.? I typically journal first thing in the morning which allows me to leave my stressful thoughts on the page so I can get on with my day.

3.???? Self-Reflection and Growth: By reflecting on past entries, I can track my personal growth over time and see where I am still stuck. Journaling over the years has helped me become more self-aware, recognize patterns, and learn from my past experiences which allows me to make better decisions moving forward.

4.???? Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving: Regular journaling also supports my creativity by giving me a safe space to explore new ideas without judgment. I sometimes use it to brainstorm solutions to challenges by writing out problems and considering different perspectives.

There are many different methods of journaling and I’ve tried a lot of them over the years!? Here are a few of my favorites:

• Free-Writing or Stream of Consciousness: This is the type of journaling I do most frequently. It involves writing continuously without worrying about grammar, structure, or topic. I prefer to do it with paper and pen, but typing is fine, too!? This is a great way to let thoughts flow freely, uncover hidden emotions, and reduce mental clutter.
• Gratitude Journaling: In this method, you write down things you're grateful for each day. Aim for at least 3 things!? This helps shift your focus toward the positive aspects of your life, enhancing overall well-being by help you appreciate what you already have.
• Prompted Journaling: Some people prefer journaling with specific prompts or questions to guide their writing. Prompts can focus on various topics like self-discovery, emotional healing, or goal setting. This method provides direction for those who may struggle with knowing what to write about.

Here are a couple of prompts to get you started:

o?? What have a learned recently that I don’t know before?

o?? What 1 simple change could I make to feel healthier?

o?? What do I want my life to look and feel like one year from today?

There are many other methods of journaling as well, but don’t get too caught up in finding the “perfect” method, just start writing!?

Are you someone who journals regularly?? How does it help you?? Are you wanting to get started with a journaling practice?? Let me know how I can help!