Journaling is like a spring clean for your mind. Writing down how you’re feeling, your thoughts or a situation will help detach, see the bigger picture, release negative feelings and prioritise what really matters. It can also help with problem solving, healing, and growth.
TYPES OF JOURNALING
Thoughts & Feelings
If someone came into your home and started to make a mess by throwing rubbish around and turning your furniture upside down, would you tell them to leave or ignore them? Im guessing they wouldn’t get very far. So why allow unwanted thoughts into your head? Journalling can help protect your mind, and keep it tidy just like you would protect your home. Writing down your thoughts and how they make you feel will give you extra space to think about how you can deal with them, let them go, or make you aware of how irrational they are.
Decision making / Pros & Cons list
Making decisions can be really difficult at times. Changing career, staying in a relationship, moving home or even setting up a new business! Writing an honest pros & cons list can make it easier to decide.
Letter writing
That person you are arguing with in the shower or having conversations with that never happens (all going on in your head) is wasted time & energy. It can be difficult to say some things to another person, no matter how close you are. Writing a letter, expressing how you are feeling and getting what you need to say off your chest is great way to let it all go. Helping you feel lighter, and possibly strengthen the relationship you have with this person. Once it’s done, you can decide if you want to give the letter to them, or throw it away (or burn it).
Gratitude list
Writing down the things you are grateful for (family, children, roof over your head, the food in your fridge), it doesn’t matter how big or small. Gratitude brings you into the moment, increases positive feelings, happiness, and is a great reminder of all the good you have in your life.
WHERE TO START
Buy a journal/copy. It doesn’t have to be fancy. There are so many nice colourful journals with tools and nice quotes you can buy to start you off.
Put aside 30 minutes to an hour when you know you will not be disturbed. You don’t need this long all the time you might just write for 5 minutes, that’s perfectly fine. Some days you will write a couple of lines other days you’re half way through your first book.
Pick something from the list above, if it is how you are feeling, start with some prompts. For example - “Today I am feeling happy/ sad / anxious because… or “Yesterday X happened and it’s made feel X”
Try not feel embarrassed, remember you’re the only one reading it.
When you are done, put your journal somewhere close to where you are writing. This will make it easier to be consistant
If you feel stuck, and are not sure what to write, start with 3 things you are grateful for.
