Journal Writing, Journalling - A Relationship with Self
Ten years ago Journal writing, journaling was not something I had experienced but I find it invaluable today in several areas of my life.
In 2004 my journal entry:-
"It's not easy being strong! It would be far easier to just give in and say OK, but that would
be too much compromise and I'd get frustrated again somewhere down the line. Nothing has really genuinely
changed.
It's easy to feel low, and to cry at the moment. The excitement and anticipation of the future that had replaced the fears, anxieties and worries, is fragile. The future seems very distant now. " A Journal as the name suggests is a form of diarising, BUT it is more than just a log of events throughout the day. The
emphasis MUST be placed on writing, in detail, your thoughts and feelings, particularly when related to stressful events or challenging times.
You may feel that you will never come out the other side, as you are struggling to come to terms with the emotions you are experiencing and writing about....yet WHEN YOU DO and you look back through your journal writing, you really appreciate and can celebrate the progress you have made.
Journal Writing - What to Write About.
As well as the events and my emotions, in each entry of my notebook I included something I felt to be an inspiration during that day. This example related to work as a Special Needs Teacher :
'INSPIRATION - the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing a chid transformed from an anxious, worried state to a happy,
relaxed and knowing state.'
Being happy comes from within, from self-awareness and self responsibility. Know what makes you tick. Know what pushes your buttons, good and bad, and your own strengths and weaknesses. Use your journal writing to explore the inner workings of your mind.
You'll be surprised at what you really know about yourself and how much you can achieve by yourself and for yourself. And if you need a little more help you can ask for 'inner guidance' or 'talk with your angels.'
There's something very potent in taking the time for yourself in this way. Find a special place where you can 'be at one with yourself.'
Journal writing can be what you want it to be, and at best you will:
- clarify negative feelings and the thoughts that cause them
- View your situation from a more detached perspective
- release pain and negative emotions like anger, frustration and fear
- balance your emotions
- identify obstacles and work through challenges
- spark your creativity and connect with your intuition
- VERIFY your progress
There is a certain and indefinable power in the written word, especially the flow of the pen or pencil across the page.
The great thing about this personal development tool is that anyone can do it. (NLP offers a self-editing technique which
I'll write about later on this site.)
Journalling is inexpensive and requires only paper and pen or pencil and a small amount of time, preferably daily. You can stop writing any time....it's not a lifelong commitment.
What is so special about writing for yourself, to yourself and about yourself is that YOU become the centre of your attention and the time you set aside for writing your Journal is ESPECIALLY FOR YOU.
What Do You Want from Your Journalling?
A Journal is a safe space where anything is allowed. Remember to write your goals and intentions too..another verification tool.
Each of my journal writing notebooks has been different and include the following (in chronological order):
A Diary of Delights
a great way to begin to notice positive things in your life . Each day write down five different things that 'delighted' you e.g. a smile from a stranger, the birdsong in the morning. a funny film, laughing out loud.
An Inspiration Notebook - As well as writing down events, thoughts and feelings the question here is: What inspired you today?
Gratitude Journal -
If you are always searching for the next thing, you don't always appreciate what you already have. A gratitude journal brings you into the present moment. Take 5 minutes a day to say thankyou.
Daily Travel Log - my small-group adventure travels in China and Thailand are great to look back on and backpacking in Scotland and Peru hold some wonderful and painful memories too
Conversations with my
Inner Child -
this first happened in 1999 and only lasted for a few entries but while decluttering I recently rediscoved that original diary. (It's funny the things you hang on to) Thankfully I kept it and this is often my main source of wisdom, support and encouragement
Dream Journal / Dream Diary - in it you record your sleeping instead of your waking adventures. this helps you to practice and train yourself to recall your dreams.You may choose to analyse them or go on to develop the skill of lucid dreaming. You can think of lucid dreaming as being conscious while dreaming. Lucid dreaming is when, during a dream, it suddenly dawns on you that you are dreaming.
Dialogue wth my angels -
using the beautiful book 'Ask Your Angels.' Of all my books I kept this one at my bedside to dip into often. This is is what led me to create Happinesspages.com
How to Journal
If you've read any of my other pages you will know that for me there is no correct way to keep a journal / jounal writing. It will depend
on your personal circumstances and purpose. It is such a worthwhile activity. To get the very best from it, follow these guidelines:-
- Allocate a time scale or a page size e.g. 15- 30 minutes, A4 or A5. Helps you stay focused
- Find a special place to write - and honour that space Keep it clear and uncluttered, comfortable and private
- Date each page (include the year) It's easy to forget over time. My journal from 2004 had no further entries until 2006
- Choose a writing implement that you love - be that pencil, ballpoint, cartridge pen, gel pen etc.
- Use a notebook especially for that one purpose - personalise it to suit yourself...or keep it plain, YOU choose.
What did I say earlier about Verifying Progress?
An entry in my journal writing for December 2006 reads as follows:
"A weekend in Spain. a little cold but 16 degrees Centigrade is far more comfortable than below Zero back in England.
Walking across the valley (as rough as it is) with your grandchildren and the sun on your back, just one week before
Christmas has got to have something going for it."
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