Throughout my life I have never been a consistent “journal-er” but over the last year or so I have been reading a lot about mindfulness, growth, meditation, etc. and all these practices that bring you peace, happiness, and help you be present talk about journaling. I thought I would share how journaling can help you grow, forgive, find peace, focus, improves clarity and helps you dream.
Journaling improves your mental clarity, it’s a great way to clear your mental clutter. Writing down your problems and feelings, transfers it from your head to the paper, it is a great way to empty the mind. Usually once you write out the situation it becomes clearer and easier to understand the issues. After doing this you will be able to focus better.
Journaling can strengthen memory. The Journal of Experimental Psychology published research that shows how writing your thoughts down can reduce intrusive thoughts about negative events and improve working memory. When you put pen to paper it lets your brain know you want to remember it. Think back to when you were in school, that is why note taking is so effective.
Journal can reduce stress and anxiety, when you have thoughts that are causing you to be anxious, your emotions can take over. If you sit down and write your emotions out, it can help you release negative thoughts from your mind. As you write, new thoughts and solutions may come up to help you overcome your situations.
Journaling helps you set goals, dream big, and connect with your values- As we go through life our goals and dreams change. Writing down what you want and the direction you want to go is a great way to pave your path. Plus, it’s always helpful to look back on previous goals and see how far you have come and how you have grown. When you allow yourself time to dream big and set audacious goals and write them down it allows your brain and heart to connect the emotions that are connected to the goals you want to achieve.
Journaling facilities your growth, to be honest it is nearly impossible not to grow if you journal. That’s what makes journal writing such a powerful practice, whether it’s about achieving goals, becoming a better person, or just documenting your days. No matter what you use it for, you’ll eventually see yourself growing as a person.
If you have never journaled before here are just a few tips.
- Find a quiet spot, free from distraction for 15-20 mins
- I like to play meditation music (Insight Timer App is awesome for this)
- Get a journal and pen that you love!
- If you are having trouble getting started on what to write use Journal Prompts here are a few
- What are my biggest goals and dreams?
- I am worthy of happiness because…
- What are 5 thing I am passionate about?
- How do I feel today?
- When do I feel happiest?
- What is your biggest challenge today?
- What is one habit you want to create?
- 3 Things you have done to make yourself proud
- What are some things you forgive yourself for.
- Who are you most grateful for having in your life?
Journaling does not need to done daily (though it is a great daily activity) or for a long period of time, but if you could carve out 10 mins to write out how you are feeling, how your day went, what you accomplished, what goals you have, you will feel a weight off your shoulders, you just feel lighter! It is almost like a type of therapy.
Because journaling is so helpful, I am going to start posting a journal prompt on the Live-Joy Facebook page every Sunday for anyone who wants/needs some help coming up with ideas to journal about. If you don’t follow us on Facebook click here.
If you find it difficult to figure out what to journal about, they make journal prompt journals. Here are a few links!
Joy Box Subscribers, this month's box the author uses "JOURNAL JAUNTS" throughout the book to help you journal. If you are not a subscriber, make sure you get on our waitlist at thejoy-box.com so you know when the cart opens again!
Happy Journaling!