Whichever way to spell it…. I admit that I was very reluctant to start journaling myself – I thought it was for people with lots of time and a leaning towards poetry … and American teenage girls… not me at all! It turned out that I was being too quick to judge.
You can buy yourself a beautifully bound notebook to capture your personal experiences and insights in writing, set up a WordPress blog with this intention 😉 or simply open a document on your computer to allow you to capture all the things going on in your head or to vent your frustrations.
Journaling is about taking what is in your head and heart and putting it in writing.
No matter how you choose to do it, it can be powerful and beneficial!
The Benefits
- Research shows that writing about stressful life experiences boosts our emotional health and also improves immune function both in healthy people and in those with chronic illness. (It feels good and does you good!)
- It gives you the freedom to express anything and everything that occurs to you, in whatever way you want to do it.
- It can start a new train of thought or give you a new perspective. It opens space for creativity and new ideas.
- It allows you to unburden yourself without complaining to other people.
- It’s private and only between you and you, other people’s reactions don’t need to be considered.
- As well as documenting your actions, plans and progress through life, it can be an indispensable healing tool in times of transition and stress.
- Its a way to bring you to your Middle Ground. A place to connect with your Self. A place for centering and refreshment.
My Own Experience
I decided that I would spend 5 minutes every day writing my thoughts and ideas down in a word document before I opened my e-mails. The first day I spent 5 minutes expressing how uncomfortable and unsure I was about it.
The second day I captured all the new ideas that had come to me during the night that I didn’t want to lose. It felt good to know it was there and I could refer to it later.
The third day was 10 minutes of venting my frustration about a disappointment and then an other 10 minutes on an action plan to move forward with an alternative course of action. Now that felt great. It can be a self coaching tool – and it saves spouses, friends and colleagues from being the recipients of the vent.
I found it works really well for me when I am over thinking and overloaded, or when something is happening in my life where I have little control over.
My other experience of journaling has been while at my Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training programs. It was introduced as a mindfulness practice. Writing by pen and capturing what came up during a particular exercise or practice. I found writing by pen was a different experience and allowed me to capture my stream of consciousness in the moment.
Both methodologies work for me at different times.
I came to see that my reluctance to start came from judgment and a fear of “digging up stuff that is best left alone”. What I found instead was buried treasure.
If you are like I was – just try it with an open mind and open heart and see what gems are there to be discovered.
Please share your own journaling or journalling story here if you like!
My journal is part of my gratitude book and also it allows me to vent emotions before I go to bed… and I sleep better having written about certain worrying topics. I express my feelings better in there. I am not a good writer and it also helps with that , yes writing too! I enjoy it. Then it is fun reading what I wrote last year and smile about it.
LikeLike
Thank you Ute for sharing your story. I love the idea of a gratitude book at the end of the day. Its a lovely practice 🙂
LikeLike
It’s great to hear you discovered buried treasure. Thank you for sharing how and where you dug.
Russ
LikeLike
Caves are for exploring Russ 😉
LikeLike
Your idea is also working very well when people are struggling with depression or other mental diseases 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Irene for sharing this aspect. Yes – I can see that it would be helpful. Val x
LikeLike
I have only ever written in a journal during difficult times. It helps to take the power away from fear. It shows how far one has come in working through an issue as well. I have one particular journal that reflects an especially difficult time. I once re-read it (5 years after I’d penned it) and instead of seeing how far I’d come, it transported me right back into the pain. That was about 15 years ago. I never picked it up to read again. 🙂
As for ideas, that’s what my whiteboard is for. I love how I can just get up and write on it and let the ideas germinate, or not (in which case the dry-eraser comes in handy!) I would actually like a whole wall to be a whiteboard or chalkboard… one day I will have that!
Diana xo
LikeLike
Diana, thank you for sharing your experience. I especially like “it helps to take the power away from fear”.
I have a white board too for ideas, reminders and mantras to live by.
A whole wall would be awesome!
How funny we both share this 🙂
LikeLike
I journal whenever I remember. It’s a great tool.
LikeLike
Thanks Sue – yes it does the trick as needed 🙂
LikeLike
I tell clients that releasing our thoughts takes their power away–when you say it out loud, when it sees the light of day, the fears, the shame, the guilt, the doubts–all lose their power. And seeing things in black and white is a very different perspective. Journal away, my friend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely! Thank you for sharing the power in bringing those thoughts and beliefs to the light of day. There’s a distancing from the strong emotions and beliefs when are able to write them down. Val x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kept a journal in high school and college. Reading it years later made me realize how far I’d come.
I journal on occasion these days, but I don’t keep the entries long. Like my college journals, they are shredded into pulp for recycling.
LikeLike
Nancy, I love the idea of transforming them into something useful for others 🙂
LikeLike
I think my blog has become a journal of sorts.
LikeLike
I can see that Julie. Nice 🙂
LikeLike
I never intended to blog like that but it just kind of happened!
LikeLike
… and that’s why it is perfect 🙂
LikeLike
Ha – okay.
LikeLike
Hi Val, love this post as I’m a lifelong journaller and couldn’t manage without it at this stage. I reckon it’s in the genes!
LikeLike
Thanks Jean for sharing your lifelong practice. Lovely!
LikeLike
Journalling (British / Australian spelling :)) has been my saviour (another Oz spelling). I spend a LOT longer than five or ten minutes a day on it 🙂
LikeLike
(The Canadian spelling too: )
Funny, how I came here from Diana’s stick figure cartoon doing yoga rock ‘n rolls (sorry, not the official name; ) and here you’re a Teacher… Namaste, Deb.
LikeLike
Hey Deb – Its good to have you here! Diana’s post inspired me to do yoga rock n rolls/spinal rolls in class this morning!
Namaste
LikeLike
LOL! Well, now that you mention it, I could use a few myself. (Going to Ground; ) 😀
LikeLike
I actually kept a journal of Nathan from when he was a baby and continued to do this for my two girls as well. Looking back I am so glad I did, as it helped me remember the precious times I had with him and lessen the guilt throughout my journey. It is a great healing tool to use Val. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love journaling! I am soon to post on my joy from journaling too… I hope you can read my article on it too. I will post it in the next few days.
But really is it journalling or journaling?? Haha! I have always loved writing and now I have a blog it is such a great cathartic enjoyable expression for me. http://www.anitaozo.com hope you can check me out! Xx 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your love of journaling Anita! I’ll be sure to check it out 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It’s not up yet… I am 10 blog posts ahead of myself. I will post it on Monday I think, in the meantime I would love you to check out my blog! I have lots of interesting and different articles in there! http://Www.anitaozo.com 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strangely I was just considering the possibility of keeping a journal this very morning (for the first time) your encouraging post seems like a confirmation that its worth trying thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems like a good time for new beginnings Claire 🙂 Sometimes I write on paper when I am away from home, but here I use the computer and it works just as well! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought a big book today to go at my bedside (I spend too much time on the computer as is.) I’m planing to decorate the cover with things relevant to my days and press flowers and leaves inside from walks etc. I used to love to do that as a child. Yes, I think I like the journal idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reconnecting to our earlier passions makes our hearts sing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Val, A great post! I have just started journaling (journalling) again after a long absence. I am really enjoying it and my experience is very similar to what you have just posted. I was only going to do it for a week but I can’t stop now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Lorraine! It can really open up creativity and new thinking!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Val, great post! I love writing a few lines every day in my Insight Timer journal after I meditate. It’s a great app that times and tracks my sessions and has helped me sit for 4 years without missing. After time is up a prompt appears on the screen to write in the journal, and I usually do. The Insight Timer community of worldwide meditators is awesome too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great tool Sunny! I’ll check it out and pass on the goodness 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Halina's Thoughts and commented:
In practice, journaling is whatever you want it to be. Underneath, it’s the gateway to recording life, experiencing all manner of emotions and uncovering parts of yourself you never thought existed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Halina for the re-blog. So nice to have connected in this immense space!
LikeLike
I kept journals for years, then I started a blog. I’m not hand-writing in a journal as much now, but my day isn’t complete without sharing words. I’m glad you gave it a try and have found it to be beneficial.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed! Thank you Patti 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Val.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have used journaling in many forms over many years and have always found it to be beneficial. It has become my friend, my companion who listens to me in all the phases of my life and all the moods and always free expression without judgment. I think I can safely say journaling has saved me on a few occasions and continues to be an important part of my day. I have always journaled with pen and paper, for me I feel I am just allowing things to come as they want to. For more formal, sharing writing I use the computer. I have so many journals now, some are beautifully bound others are just exercise books. I am grateful to them all. thank you for this blog I enjoyed reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful share Helen. Thank you 💛
Good to see you here again. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m falling in love with your blog Val.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you dear Marie 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
this little heart followed my comment above – don’t know why it didn’t appear! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can picture it Marie. Thank you ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
….and it’s disappeared again! grrrrrr!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent, Val. ❤️ Journaling has really been good for me, too. I used to keep one in bound journal books, then in spiralbound lined school paper. One day years ago, I tossed them all in the dumpster. Now I journal on my meditation app Insight Timer after meditating. It’s all good. I look at my entries later if I want to. Mostly it’s not necessary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your practice Sunny 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve started journaling soon after starting my blog – for all those thoughts that aren’t quite the kind to share with a larger public. 🙂 I use the 750words website that’s been inspired by the idea of morning pages. I also do them in the morning. Before anything else. I’ve been going at it for over 200 days straight now. Not sure if it has made me a better person, but it certainly helps me get some thoughts out of my systems that would otherwise probably go round in circles in my head the whole day. That in itself is a great benefit. So yes, definitely unburdening, and also healing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad the practice is working for you! Some times we don’t need to be better … just more clear about life. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m starting to prefer clear over perfect now as well…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Val! I can’t tell you how much I love my journals!! I am very selective in choosing one. It has to be the right binding, the right spacing of lines, the right color(s). It even has to haventhe right feel. These books are a very important part of my life and it amazes me how many I have filled!!
Sending lots of love and light to you 💜
LikeLike
Your post is interesting and coincidental as I am starting to miss posting on my blog and you have started following my blog.
I may start a new post and call it jacksjottings resurrerection.
I can then put photos and illustrations of some of the activities my free time from blogging has allowed me. Till then there is plenty of ideas that can be referred back to in Jacksjottings. 🙏☸️☯️🕉☮️🕍💒🕌
LikeLike
Thank you Jack. Taking time for reflection and writing can be important at different times of our lives. Interestingly (or not) I was a follower of yours, and thought I still was. Word Press sometimes drops people out of the blue, so I am grateful to be able to refollow you 🙏
LikeLike
Thank you Val, for finding my blog and for reminding me about something soothing. I used to do this as part of writing in my gratitude book at the end of the day. I put a beautiful notebook, with a sparkly butterfly clasp, by my bed the other day, now I know why. Xx
LikeLike
Great post. Thanks for sharing. Shared it on facebook. Very good advice. When I joined WordPress, I was too reluctant for the fear of being judged but came to know that I am amongst friends. Now I will start writing daily to see what treasure I can unearth. Thanks, dear. Have a great Sunday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Journaling changed my life, Val. And I was like you when I started. Ugh. Teenagers do this! I forced myself for a month to write every day for 15 minutes, even if it was only a grocery shopping list and a to-do list of chores. But then the reflections started coming and the insights and the healing. It was amazing. 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: Use “Kind Sight” for the Past Year and Year Ahead | Find Your Middle Ground