Do you journal?
I have always kept a journal and it has been a great help to me mentally, emotionally and spiritually!
Of course, I go in and out of writing in it regularly. I have periods of time when I am religious about it and write every day, and then I may go for weeks or months without entering anything. But it’s always there when I need it! It’s my own personal therapist right here in my own home, always available to listen.
There are different ways to journal and many are associated with decreased symptoms of depression. There are many mental health benefits of journaling.
You can start with a gratitude journal. It doesn’t have to be perfect or profound. Start small. Write 5 things you are grateful for and do that each morning when you wake up or each evening when you go to bed. Choose a time that works for you and make it easy. Starting small helps you create the habit. You can always write more if you feel led but there is no pressure to do so.
Another way to journal is to use prompts. As a coach, my job is to ask questions. I love giving prompts to my clients for journaling! Here are some examples:
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
What does God say about you?
What is one transformative experience you’ve had in your life?
What do you do when you feel sad?
What have you learned?
What would you tell your 15 year old self?
What gives you hope?
As I start to type these, I realize I could go on forever. There are so many questions that lead us into deep inquiry. These prompts help us pause and think and form our thoughts. So much of our days are hurried and we run on auto pilot. Journaling allows us to stop, breathe, and intentionally get in touch with our deeper self. If we want to live on purpose, if we want to discover our calling and follow it, we will need to practice the art of self reflection. Journaling is the way.
Give yourself the gift of your own presence. Give yourself the gift of self reflection. Stop. Breathe. Let your mind wander and then put pen to paper. Feel the release. Experience the exhale. Laugh. Cry. Scream. Get angry. Grieve. Wonder. Be amazed. Recognize. Remember. Accept. Plan. Look ahead. Look behind and see God’s Hand in all of it. Believe.
This is your story. Don’t miss it.
If you are interested in joining my journaling group, we start November 1st. Sign up here.