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Have you ever tried journaling? Maybe you tried and it didn’t go so well. Maybe you think there really is no benefit for you because you don’t enjoy writing. Maybe you just don’t know what to write.
Whatever reason journaling has not taken off for you, I’d like to help you get started with journaling. Journaling offers many benefits including: clearing negativity out of your mind, working through a difficult problem, and just organizing your thoughts.
I’ve found journaling is very helpful in documenting progress I’ve made in areas in my life as well as something to look forward to each day. I journal my thoughts, concerns, and even Biblical scriptures that really hit home. To get started try these 5 steps:
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Buy or even make a nice but inexpensive notepad. I prefer unlined paper because I can write as much or as little as I like. Make sure this notepad is only for your journaling and not for “to do lists”, the kids to color in, etc.
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Pick a really comfortable ink pen or pencil you’ll look forward to writing with each day. This pen/pencil should only be used for your journal writing.
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Select a time of day when you’ll be alone and uninterrupted. This time of day should be the same each day; I usually try before I get out of bed or before I go to bed.
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Close your eyes and think of an emotional event or situation. If you want you can pick an event that was joyful or maybe one you’d like to reprocess and work through again.
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Write down the event, the emotions the event caused, and then how the event came to be. You may even want to go as far as to write how you can do things differently the next time or how you plan to continue to do things the same.
The first couple of times it may seem a bit uncomfortable to relive parts of your day. However it gets easier as you get in the habit of writing. Once you get in the habit of journaling you’ll find you can’t wait to write each day. It will get a lot easier.
If you currently journal, let me know why and what led you to start. If you don’t currently journal, consider starting. Feel free to email me with any questions you have about starting this fun de-stress technique.
