Studies have shown that writing down our thoughts, ideas, wishes, desires, feelings, and, yes, even our problems, complaints and pet peeves, begins the journey toward self-awareness and reduces stress. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness develops a sense of self-worth and opens the doors to a positive attitude toward life.
Journaling is not merely keeping a diary of your daily activities (although it can be, if that’s what you want). It’s more than that. Journaling is highly motivational. Keep a journal of your goals. Writing down any goal serves to visualize that goal. It makes it more real. The act of writing anything, makes it more real. Have a problem you just can’t solve? Write it in your journal. Ponder the problem. Think on it. Use your journal as a problem solving, think tank. You’ll be surprised how the act of writing, pondering and planning will bring you to a resolution you might not otherwise have thought of.
There is an age old saying among authors – “write – write – write.” The more your write the better you become. Write every day. Practice makes perfect. It’s true.
Journals can be used for motivation, planning, free-form thinking, goals, study and so much more. The list is endless. The list is as unique as you.
Do you want to bring more positive energy into your life. Start a gratitude journal. The act of being grateful is a truly awesome way to bring more positive energy your way. Try this experiment: Every day, list three things you are grateful for. Do this for a week. I think, very soon, you’ll be surprised that you need to limit it to three. Do you notice that you’re thinking a bit differently too?
There is so much worry and stress in our lives. I love the idea of a worry journal. We once helped a friend start a worry jar. She was habitual in her worry habit. We encouraged her to write her current worry-of-the-day on a piece of paper, slip it into the jar and send it on its way. That little act of writing down the worry enabled her to forget it, send it away from her. A journal can do the same thing. Write down the negatives, send them away. Write down the positives, reflect, learn, reduce stress, gain confidence and enjoy life more fully.
Are you interested in introducing your child to journaling? Great idea! Kids these days are under an enormous about of stress. Writing down and tracking their feelings, emotions or worries, helps them learn to problem solve and deal with the big stresses, and the little ones, that pop up day to day, through out life. Journaling makes them better communicators, as well as better spellers, better thinkers, better writers, better problem solvers, better learners, and more creative too.
There are occasionally certain stressful situations your child may go through, where they really don’t want to discuss it with you. As a parent, I know this is hard to deal with. We all want to help our children through the trials they face. I love the idea of a joint journal. It’s a way to have a conversation – one on one, yet separate. There is less pressure. How do you do a joint journal? When your child has a problem that he/she would like help with, but feels uneasy or unwilling to openly have a discussion, have them write down the thought/idea into the journal. Take turns passing the journal back and forth. Your turn - you present your thoughts in answer. It’s a way to ponder a problem together-separately. You might be surprised how much easier that conversation progresses.
Why not begin your journaling journey today.