Writing your thoughts down can be a lifesaver. I want to emphasize the importance of journaling as a tool that will help you keep a record of your thoughts and feelings.
Personally, it has been a lifesaver when I need to process a challenging situation. There are times when you need to vent and people aren’t available. Everyone is doing the best they can. You need a safe space to write how you are feeling. You are able to see a situation more clearly in written form.
Types of Journals
I previously spoke about art journals in a previous blog post, but I believe there is a style and method for everyone. Using an artistic medium can help you get to the essence of the issue. The form doesn’t matter, what matters is putting pen to the page, or brush to the page.
Take the time to browse your local bookstore or art store and find a journal that speaks to you. Finding the right size, paper, color, and vibe are important so that you will be motivated to use your journal on a regular basis. If you are on the go, something that will fit easily into your bag should be a consideration. Some people swear by bullet journals and other people need lined paper to gather their thoughts.
Helpful for Patterns
For example, when I noticed that I repeatedly discussed the same situation repeatedly, I realized that I needed to make adjustments. I didn’t know how heavily this was weighing on my mind until I saw how toxic a situation was becoming. Everyone is unique, so something that bothers one person may not be an issue for someone else. Priorities and relationships are constantly changing, but noticing how our bodies feel when we think about a situation can help us to see when something isn’t good for us. You can normalize a situation because you become accustomed to the way something feels.
Go Deeper
When I first started journaling, I was so worried that someone might read my journal, I kept it fairly light. I had to just be vulnerable and share what was going on inside. Now this is something that may happen while you are talking about what you had for dinner, but know that this is a safe place for you to vent and share. I’m a private person so this took practice.
Separate Journals
I recently started a Grief Journal since I was having a hard time letting myself express my true thoughts and feelings in my regular journal. I think it’s easy to have too many different journals and we can get carried away, unless this is something that delights you, but in my case, my intense emotions were very stuck and present with me. I was able to separate the whirlwind within me with my daily life and things I was grateful for because they were on separate pages. I have found it helpful to see how my physical symptoms of grief have improved over time, because I’ve tracked everything in one place.
May journals help you find your true voice and inner wisdom. Journals will never judge or shame you. It’s nice to have a record of how you handled challenges and survived on the other side.
