26 May jotting down your thoughts… the power of journaling

Jotting down your thoughts… The power of journaling

What is journaling… When I was first told about journaling it reminded me of teenagers writing in a diary. One of those books with a lock on it and a key you hid in the undies drawer so your little sister couldn’t read your entries. So, when I was asked to start journaling, I was like ‘Yeah right, no thanks, so not my thing!’ But what I didn’t realise is that journaling is not the same as writing in your diary, and it has totally transformed my life.

In a way you can compare the two though for me at least, they are quite different. To me a diary felt like writing about your day; ‘Today I went to school, and Dan smiled at me again.’ Yes, I know its cliché, but I bet every girl had those types of entries. So, to then discover that journaling actually changed my life was a bit of surprise. Why? Well, it became the place where I could write about everything that was going on in my mind and body on a spiritual level. I started to write about things that triggered me, and then writing about why that situation or person triggered me. What it did to me (feeling frustrated, angry, sad or even jealous or happy) and then why I was feeling this way or thinking these things. It became a place for me to note any ideas I have. I gained clarity and saw which steps were needed to get the results I desire. It became the place to write down my deepest secrets and not all of them are bad, scary or sad, there’s a lot of joy in there as well. Because when I get into a state of flow I also write about that. When I receive a spiritual message, I write about it. I jot down my dreams and then try and see a pattern or write about my future, the things I desire and want to manifest. I write about a connection I had with someone, or how I dreamt about someone and then saw them that day. All in all, it’s the place where I dump everything that goes on in my mind and body resulting in me feeling free and liberated again.

what got me into journaling

Journaling was presented to me during a year programme where I underwent coaching and healing. A training where we learnt about limiting beliefs, paradigms, and healing techniques. It took me a little while to get the hang of journaling and especially to find my own way. Because everyone interprets and uses journaling in their own way. And now I don’t even leave the house without my journal in my bag.

so how do you start?

There are various ways to journal. Some people just start writing, others need a prompt to get them started. With a prompt I mean a sentence that you answer. For instance, ‘What’s my sole mission for the next 12 months? And what do I need to focus on to make the next 12 months look exactly as I want it?’

Another might be ‘What am I afraid of.’ And you can break this down into ‘growing my business’, or ‘taking that step to become the version I want to become’. It can be about wanting to move to a bigger house only you don’t have the funds, so what do you need to do to gain those funds? Is that change jobs? Or investigate creating a business? In fact, it can be about anything. Writing using prompts helps you get a clear vision of the things you want and how to get them. That’s why journaling is a great manifestation tool.

When I journal, I use prompts or just download the noise in my head. It depends on what I need at that moment. I have days where I can’t stop writing and days where I don’t write anything. Days where I start writing and the words flow so quickly and freely my hand can’t keep up. It varies every time I open the journal. Sometimes I open it and then close it again as nothing comes to me. Other times I just start writing and nonsense hits the page, and before I know it an entire story has been jotted down about some subconscious topic I didn’t realise was on my mind.

what kind of journal do you need?

Again, this is personal. I buy gorgeous A5 sizes notebooks which are lined. Some people prefer the blank pages or the bullet pages (dots), I prefer the lines. If you prefer typing to writing, then use Word or the Notes app on your phone. And if you’re someone who doesn’t like to write you can use the dictation app on your phone or computer to jot down the thoughts. There are many ways, and you will find the one that works for you.

journaling for me…

Journaling has transformed my life, and I never thought I would fill up books for years to come and for it to become my solace. For me it’s become the place to download my thoughts, frustrations, emotions and dreams. It’s the place that knows my deepest secrets and desires. At the same time, it’s content for my future memoir if I ever feel the need to write one. But most of all it’s the place where I get to just be me, my true self. With journaling I see patterns in my thoughts and life events. It creates clarity on my desires, and it has become an outlet. A place to let go of anything that’s holding me back in my daily life.

Just try it and see what it brings you. Start with a prompt or just start writing. Nothing is wrong and you’re the only one who gets to see or read it. I never read my entries and sometimes I want to go back and find something but there’s no way to even start to find something as I write so much. And when nothing comes don’t worry, forcing it doesn’t work, so just close the journal and try again next time. Good luck! And let me know how you’re getting on.