Getting Through the Hard Stuff with Journaling
- Journaling is the act of processing the past (and even the future) in the here and now.
- Writing is and of itself **cathartic.
- Feelings and experiences become **less overwhelming.
- Reading back helps reveal patterns.
- You can use creative journaling to change your story.
RELATED IDEAS
- The Gratitude Journal: Simply write about something that you’re grateful for.
- Morning Pages: Before starting work each day, write 3 pages, long-hand, of anything that crosses your mind, to clear your head.
- The Goal Journal: Incorporating your goals into a daily journal is a huge step to getting them done.
- The Values Journal: Identify the values that are important to you. Then write about how the events of your day connect back to your values.
- The Curiosity Journal: Challenge yourself to write about one thing every day that made you stop and ask a question.
The biggest mistake is to journal only in reaction to something that is going on, instead of letting it be part of a system.
Make writing in your personal journal part of your everyday routine.
I've tried traditional paper-based journals, a password protected file on my computer and even journaling apps. I've kept journals about my personal life, professional life and even my business. So what should you do?
Both digital and paper-based journals are useful. With digital journals, you can search old entries and never worry about losing anything. With paper-based journals, you're less likely to be distracted from your practice by notifications or social media. I recommend trying both for a week or so and then using what works for you.