Words can be incredibly powerful. While it might seem like something you’d expect from a teenage girl in the 90s, journalling is a simple yet impactful way of shifting your energy. To some it might sounds a bit woo woo, but once you start, over time you start to notice how profound it can be in re-wiring your thinking, offloading your thoughts, creating mental space and calm in your mind, and starting to heal from conflict.
I started journalling about 2 years ago after hearing it suggested by a wellness speaker at an event. At the time even I was sceptical, but thought for the sake of ‘research’ to try it out. And I was amazed at how quickly I started to enjoy the process and notice the change in how I felt.
💫You can of course invest in some beautiful stationary for this, but just start with something. An old notebook, a blank sheet of paper. Just jot down whatever comes to mind, no matter how random
💫 It might be tempting to, but stick to writing with your hand rather than type on a device. It will make a difference and you are going to be much more authentic and unabashed with what you write by hand. Typing your thoughts will automatically engage the editor in you for fear of how you sound, writing by hand is a much more free flow, organic experience that is much more therapeutic
💫Keep a notebook of choice with a pen by your bedside and for the next 5 days, commit to journalling either first thing in the morning or before you go to bed
💫Write down (at least) 3 things that you are grateful for. It could be drinking coffee in your favourite mug, the sun in the sky or your favourite song playing on the radio. Anything you chose for that day. We are hard wired to think of all the stresses of our day, so consciously remembering things your grateful for will improve your mood and help create a sense of balance
💫Welcome other thoughts too as you consider the day, such as things you wish might have gone differently or a feeling that you recall that you’re still thinking about at the end of the day. The point of writing is to offload your thoughts and we know they are not all positive. Jotting down what is on your mind, good and bad, allows you to be more in touch with how you're feeling and true to your emotions at the time
💫 Be brave and read back what you have written. What you see written in-front of you may surprise you, enlighten you or highlight some surprising home truths that need addressing
Start with writing down 1-3 things you're grateful for everyday for a week and see how you feel.
Over time this can develop into affirmations to start your day and longer diary entries to get more off your chest in the evening. Try it out, I guarantee you will feel better as a result of it.
Some benefits of journalling:
- Recognising our inner thoughts (the good, bad and ugly) can gives us a sense of contentment and peace
- Studies have shown this type of reflective activity can contribute to personal growth and increased wellbeing as a result of lowered stress
- The act of writing down our thoughts can give us a sense of relief, as if we have physically removed the mental noise and cleared our mind
- Getting mental clarity just before sleeping may help you dose off easier and get better quality sleep
- Looking back at your thoughts can put things into perspective and help us appreciate good from the day that are otherwise shadowed by worry, anxiety, boredom, depression
- Journalling has been compared to a form of therapy
Title of the post inspired by American author @juliacameronlive