Journaling

I have always loved to write and journaling became a natural outlet for me in my teens. Sure, it was full of angsty teenage things, but it was a great resource for me to work out feelings and the drama that I felt like was my life.

Fast forward to being an adult, journaling allows me to put words on the page and get them out of my head which can be spinning sometimes with so much to do.

Journaling can be effective for many different reasons and help you reach a wide range of goals. It can help you clear your head, make important connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and even buffer or reduce the effects of mental illness!

Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind. 

~ Natalie Goldberg

Journaling uses both sides of your brain. You can be creative with it, doodling and drawing along with writing. You can be analytical with it and write out lists if that makes you feel better. Or, do both! It can also help you detect those sneaky negative thoughts that creep in. You can use it to help shift from a negative mindset to a more positive one. It can even help filter any traumatic experiences you've had in the past. Somehow, getting it down on the page helps you start to heal and opens you up for more positive experiences.

Some helpful tips to get you started:

1. Find somewhere quiet to write, free from distractions. Although, it can also be very helpful to pop in your ear buds, play some music and just ignore the people around you if you're out and about. I used to do my journaling in the middle of the quad during college. Whichever way works best for you, do that!
2. Try to write at the same time every day. It helps get your mind inline with what you want to accomplish.
3. Either find a good journal and pen to use, or if you're more tech savvy, there are a great number of apps on the market to use. When I'm using a tech journal, my preferred app is called DayOne and it synchronizes across all my devices.
4. There's no wrong way to journal other than not doing it at all. There doesn't have to be a specific structure to it. It's your journal!
5. This is YOUR journal. You do not have to share it with anyone. You can if you want, but you don't have to.

Want more accountability? Join us on a 21 Day of Journaling path.