How and why to start journaling
In all of us exists a wiser, higher self, a part of us that resides more deeply within and is less perturbed by the emotions and events of life. Being able to engage the assistance of this higher self can be a great asset in life. All we need to do is quiet our emotions and go within for a time to access this simple grace.
This is where journaling comes in, writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly. It’s a place that offers solace, inspiration, possibility and retreat.
If you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety, keeping a journal can be a great idea. It can help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health. Sometimes we feel anxious about things or we’re feeling upset and sad. Writing something down can be a healthy and intimate way to deal with your emotions.
A journal is truly one of the best self-improvement tools there is! Journaling can also be a check-in tool. There are days in our lives when we feel balanced and motivated, and we’ve got our priorities straight and other days we’re stressed and nothing seems to flow and we drag ourselves down when we shouldn’t.
I look at journaling as a powerful tool for inner healing, allowing me to slow down, turn inwards, reflect and listen to my intuitive voice. It becomes a mindfulness practice helping me to process my thoughts and feelings, work through blockages and receive guidance.
What is journaling?
Journaling is a written record of your thoughts, feelings, or observations about yourself and how you react to the world around you. You can write short sentences, long paragraphs, or even single words or bullet points, a to-do list, respond to written prompts, or just writing stream of consciousness-style doodles and observations.
Some days I write whole page and other days just a sentence or a word, sometimes add in a picture or draw and doodle! The secret is to start and let go of any inhibitions and truly treat this as a sacred time to heal, reflect, process, and grow.
Why do it?
Journaling is a great way of focusing on your thoughts and feelings, and developing some proper structure around them. It can also help you notice your habits and patterns, set and achieve goals, and solve problems.
Sometimes putting pen to paper can make us aware of what we’re feeling and why we’re feeling this way. If you keep feeling upset at a particular time, a journal could help you address the issue internally and work it out. It can be a great way to recognise your actions and then try and change them. Having said all that it is not always easy to get started and we stare at this blank page and our mind begins to overthink or go blank.
Ideally purchase a blank pages book or a dedicated printed journal. In the beginning when I purchased a beautiful journal I didn’t want to write in it as the book was too beautiful. Now I love having beautiful books and making them my own!
You might prefer to write on your laptop or add leaves/flowers from one of your walks/excursions. Doodle, use colour, no colour it really doesn’t matter. You can decide to keep your journals or have a fire ceremony once a year where you let the fire absorb all your words of prayer and energy and let them float away into the universe as a way of releasing and letting go.
Ideas on how to begin
Evening - Just write what you have been doing that day, your experiences, emotions and feelings.
Evening - write your aims and goals for the next day. What will you be doing as soon as you get up? I find this a great way to not only make myself accountable but you are already setting the intention to do what you are visualising yourself to be like.
Morning - Free write with no concern about spelling, full stops and capital letters, just write until you automatically stop. You might be left with one word that resonates with you and this becomes your affirmation/intention for your yoga or meditation practice or your day.
Morning - write down an affirmation or intention for the day. In the evening revisit this intention and write down how this intention supported you in your day.
Journal about your decisions. Should I quit/take my/this job? Should I relax, how will I do this/benefit me and how will this make me feel? It can even be asking about calling someone or writing down how you are going to respond to a question/family or work matter /relationship issue.
If you get writer’s block, feel tired or a have self-doubt and don’t know what to write, write about gratitude. List 10-15 things you are truly grateful for.
Perhaps carry your journal with you and have it handy to write in as you are sitting in a café, at your work table, on the bus. Add whatever you are feeling in that moment or reread over your affirmations/intentions for that day.
Write about your day’s highlights and achievements. This gives you a brighter outlook on your life, giving space for your positive thoughts so the negatives don’t take over. Journaling helps put everything into perspective.
Benefits of journaling
Reduces stress and anxiety
Improves your mood
Benefits your emotional health
Learn more about yourself
Organises your thoughts
Set and achieve your goals
Helps heal injuries faster
Improves immune function
Improves communication skills
Learn and process your experiences
Improves your sleep
Improves your memory
Boosts your creativity
Helps solve issues/problems
Improves mindfulness
Boosts self esteem
Improves your sense of gratitude
Strengthens your self discipline
Improves your productivity
Miriam is offering an in-depth journaling course starting on the Spring Equinox, Thursday 23 September 2021 (Southern Hemisphere), when the earth returns to a place of perfect balance. Day and night are equal, an ideal time for new beginnings, bringing balance, transformation and change. Spring also brings clarity and if you are really clear on where you would like to see new growth, you have the power to transform your life.
“Journal for clarity” course starts 23 September online + individual Zoom sessions + private Facebook group as a joint collective for support, strength and insight (not compulsory).
You will receive a comprehensive manual to guide you along the way.
Investment: $199
Register your interest now, email Miriam: miriamvandoorn@optusnet.com.au