If you’re looking for a way to explore your inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences, I’ve got one word for you: journaling. If you haven’t tried it yet, journaling is a powerful tool that can help you embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. As an avid journaler myself, I cannot recommend it more. So I thought I would talk a little bit about why I love it, why some people might not at first, and of course, some tips to get started.
Let’s start with some of the benefits.
The ultimate benefit I’ve found with journaling is self-discovery and empowerment. You see, your journal is the ultimate judegment free zone where you can get to know yourself. It’s a private space just for you, meaning it’s a safe place to explore your thoughts, feelings, and dreams. It can truly be a transformative experience for a few reasons:
- Self-reflection: Journaling helps you to get a deeper understanding of your emotions, behaviors, and patterns by reflecting on your experiences and how they effect you.
2. Emotional release: Writing down your feelings can be cathartic. It’s a way of getting it out of your head so that you can process and release which helps you to understand everything more clearly.
3. Goal setting: It’s been said that writing down your goals can be a super helpful boost towards accomplishing them. I’ve found this to be true; journaling my aspirations, dreams, and goals has helped me to find a sense of purpose and direction. It’s been a big part of figuring out how to get from where I am to where I want to be.
Don’t give up on it too soon.
If you’ve tried journaling before but it “wasn’t for you”, you’re definitely not alone. There are a LOT of people who’ve given up on it. (Actually, there are a LOT of people who write it off before even trying- pun intended.) However, if you are someone who wasn’t sold on the idea of journaling right away, I want to encourage you to try again.
If you didn’t pursue the journaling because you were worried about what someone might think or because you didn’t think your writing was good enough, I want to remind you that it’s supposed to be a judegement free zone. It’s personal and private and there are no rules. You can feel free to express yourself fully. Plus, you can choose to burn the book after you’ve filled it without ever reading it again if that’s what feels right to you, garunteeing that no one-not even you- will ever read what you’ve written.
If you gave up because of time, I want to remind you that you can have a successful journaling experience with just a minute a day. It doesn’t have to be a long entry. You could write one sentence a day or one entry a week. Every time you sit down to write, it counts.
If you were feeling stuck and just didn’t know what to write, I encourage you to try using prompts or guided journals to get yourself started. There are so many different ways to start journaling and there is no right or wrong way to do it.
So let’s get started.
To make the most of your journaling experience, I’d like to share a few tips with you that can help you get started.
- Set a routine. Being consistent will help turn journaling into a habbit, which can be helpful with continuing to do it. This could mean setting a specific time each day to sit down and write, or making it part of your bedtime routine. It could mean lighting a candle and pouring your favorite beverage or snack before you sit down. Whatever you decide to do, make it part of the experience.
- Find your style. There are a ton of different types of journaling- free writing, guided or prompted journaling, bullet journaling, and gratitude journaling are a few examples. If you’ve tried one and didn’t connect, try another. Hell, even if you did connect with one kind, try another. Maybe you’re like me and enjoy all sorts! I actually do a lot of different types of journaling depending my mood. What matters is that it resonates with you and your unique needs. Like I said before, there is no right or wrong way to journal. It’s whatever works.
- Make sure you’re staying judgement-free. Remember that this is your safe space. that means no holding back! Be honest and open and vulnerable and let it all flow.
- Start with a clean slate. Every journaling session should start with a clear mind if possible. So before you start writing, take a few deep breaths and try to let go of any distractions.
- Write freely. Don’t worry about spelling or being grammatically correct or using the proper structure. Remember- no rules!
- Keep it accessible. Keep your journal with you or somewhere that you can get to easily. This way, if inspiration hits or there’s something you need to work though, you have easy access and don’t have to waste time looking for it.
- Be patient with yourself. This is the most important one! Journaling effectively can take time. You need to be patient and maybe try a few different times before you start feeling the connection or the results.
- Keep coming back- even if you miss a day or two- and keep trying. You’ll be surprised at just how effective it can be.
Make it personal.
Another thing I’ve noticed in my own journaling experience is that personalizing my journal helps me to connect to it more. It started out by putting stickers on it, then doodling… Now I actually custom burn a lot of my journal covers. I like to choose things that resonate with me- affirmations, aspirations, dreams, values, quotes… By making it personal, I feel more connected and more encouraged to keep going. (If you’d like me to help you create your own burned custom journal- check out my etsy or shoot me a message and I’d love to help!)
Another thing to remember is that journals are created for use, not just to sit on some shelf. I say this because I know a LOT of people who save a journal and put off using it because they think it’s too pretty or perfect to waste. So they keep saving it for the perfect thing and then it never gets used. I used to be one of those people, but then one day I said fuck it, grabbed that pretty journal, and started writing. And you know what? I’m so glad I did! So use that pretty journal that you love so much! Fill it up and watch yourself grow. That’s what it’s made for.
Give journaling a shot.
I really believe that journaling is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, as well as for personal growth and owning your power. It’s one of the few ways that you can really get into the depths of your mind, your heart and your soul so that you can figure out who you are, who you want to be, and how to get there.
And if you’re interested in journaling but feeling stuck or looking for some guidance, I’d love to be able to support and guide you through one of my coaching offers. Together, I’m sure that we can unlock your true potential through the power of journaling by guiding you towards owning your power and unshakable confidence. I’d love to help you come up with a personalized journaling roadmap to get rid of limitations and unleash unstoppable growth. This way, you can create a life that’s authentically badass.
So go grab some paper and a pen or open a new document on your computer and get writing. Let me know how it works out!
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