Why Journal?

Journaling can be a love/hate relationship. I know people that love to journal, and I know those that insist it isn’t for them. I’m hoping to spark a new fire for journaling.

I look at journaling as a tool. Another great device in your backpack of gadgets that ultimately moves you forward. I have never known the act of journaling to move anyone backwards. I will be the first to admit, I don’t know everything, so let me know if you have evidence on that one.

Journaling can be so many things for you:

·        A sounding board.

·        A friend at 2 am to vent to.

·        A record to create a memory that lasts.

·        A tool to talk things through.

·        A way to say everything to your ex, without having to hear the rest of the argument.

·        A record of the affirmations you feel today, that you will need to look at next week when your day doesn’t go well.

·        To clear your head.

·        To clear your heart.

·        To get it all out when you have nobody to tell.

However you utilize journaling, it is there when you need it. That notebook, computer, pad of paper, is always there to listen. It can be a blank sheet just waiting for your sentences. It can be guided prompts to pull out the words that normally won’t come. Today, it may be words of gratitude. Tomorrow it may be a cry for help. The most important thing is that you get it out, and into the journal. Having conversations in our heads is ongoing. Sometimes, you need to finish that conversation and move on. Putting it on “paper”, no matter what that looks like to you, gets it out into the fresh air. Where the words form sentences, those sentences form complete thoughts, and then you can close the “book” and move on.

Have you ever ended a relationship? Have you been in a disagreement with a partner? You need time to cool off. Maybe you are wanting to go “no contact”. Get a journal started for that person. Not to give to them, but to pull out and write down everything you want to say. You know if you are drunk and dial him at 3am it will set you back. DON’T! But write everything, no matter how harsh, into that journal. If he/she has ended it and you are devastated, write! Write about how good it felt to be in love. About the good times and even the bad times. Chances are, your memory might bring up more bad than good, or one-sided happiness that can help to make it clear why the relationship didn’t work. If nothing else, you have been able to speak your peace in the journal and it will help you to move forward.

There are good days that are so good, you wish you could bottle them. Now you can! Make a memory of that day in your journal. Go through all the senses. How did today feel, smell, tell me what you saw, did you taste something during this amazing day that is worth remembering, and finally what sounds made up this amazing day. Now you have a photo memory to fall back on when you are nostalgic or just needing to cheer yourself. Journaling these days, can be a wonderful collection to look back on, and it just might show you that there are plenty of good days in your life, when you are down in the dumps.

All I am suggesting is that you try to write a journal. For many, the excuse is that they are too busy. Schedule it! Put it in your outlook calendar. Start with just 10 minutes. Can’t think of what to write, start with a guided journal. Follow the prompts and release the words. Keep a small notebook with you, so if you are waiting at the Doctor office, you can fill that time with your thoughts. If you are a digital person, keep a document file on your desktop so it is handy. When your Outlook reminder goes off, open the document, and start to type. You will be surprised how fast 10 minutes goes, and how much your handwriting may improve!

Share your feedback with me. I am always looking for ways to improve myself and help others. You never know when your struggle is the same as someone else’s. If it worked for you, it could work for someone else. Thank you, and happy journaling.

Check out the guided journal we just published here: https://www.blurb.com/b/11917463-whatever-i-may-need-today