Journaling is one of those things that come highly recommended for emotional healing and introspection. But what the heck is journaling and how are you supposed to do it?
Journaling is simply writing. It can be like a diary, or memories, or just random thoughts. I had a childhood friend who named her journal and wrote letters to it like it was person. You can do it everyday, sporadically, whenever you feel like it. There really are no rules.
I found journaling very intimidating for a long time. I had an idea in my head about how journaling was supposed to look. Perfect penmanship, organized thoughts, a special beautiful notebook and fancy pen, a great hiding place…
I guess I fell for what I saw in 80’s and 90’s sitcoms. It’s ridiculous, but it held me back. Then I realized perfection has nothing to do with it. My handwriting gets messy, the thoughts come faster then I can write. It takes me over and it’s wonderful.
Something about putting pen to paper liberates your brain to pour out its contents in a way where you can see it more clearly, objectively. I’ve always liked the idea of writing, but I didn’t cultivated a practice until my 30’s. Specifically, when my kids were out of the toddler stage. Every notebook I owned ended up with little scribbles inside because I was never without at least one of them. Plus I was just tired once I was alone. Writing was put on the back burner.
In recent years, I have been introduced to an authentic way of journaling by the same people that I began looking to for spiritual guidance. These people are bloggers, podcasters, authors and coaches that I found online. The more they talked about the way they journaled, and how each did it differently- personalized for themselves, the more comfortable I became with letting go of my preconceived notions of how it’s “supposed” be. It was like I needed permission to do it my way. I didn’t know what that looked like, but I tried it and I figured out I’m a messy free flow.
— Sometimes I know I need to work through something. I might just write about the emotions I’m feeling or the events leading to a situation.
— Sometimes I meditate and jot things down that come to me.
— Sometimes I actually draw doodles or images I see when meditating.
— Sometimes I can’t think of what I want to write. When this happens I just go with the train of thought technique. I just start writing whatever is on my mind.
For example- “I’m sitting down at the table in the kitchen with my journal and my favorite pen. This is my favorite pen because it feels good in my hand and it writes very smoothly. It makes my handwriting look nice, like my grandmother’s. I miss my grandmother. I was always welcome at her house and it was a comfort to me even if I wasn’t there. My grandmother held a container of peace for me when I needed it…”
Can you see how something simple can become much more very quickly? For some reason, writing it out makes it so much easier for your thoughts to take you somewhere.
I would love to hear about how you use journaling in your life!
