Journaling

Are you a person who likes to journal? - it’s a practice I have “flirted” with from time to time, but never fully made the commitment to make it a regular practice. - Of late …..I’m beginning to think is a potential self care practice that’s worth another look!

I have friends who swear by the benefits of emptying their mind into their personal journals, and have adopted this mindful exercise as a way of maintaining their own sense of mental well being. They document their experiences, reflections, feelings (all of them!) as well as hopes dreams and personal desires for their future selves.

Some have journals going back years! - Others purposefully and intentionally document and retain, while others document then “destroy”.

It’s said that journaling is a way of getting to know ourselves better. To act as a doorway to deeper reflection, and change. Journaling can be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety, helping you to relax, as well as a way of revealing deeper thoughts and feelings that help refine and sharpen your self awareness.

Some friends use it as an “aide memoire” more of a diary of their lives, whilst others use it as a way of unloading and letting go. Reflection and review of the written words can vary person to person, those that choose to reflect and review perhaps finding new ways to navigate difficult situations, as well as gaining greater understanding of their own personal habits and traits. (good and “bad").

Bullet journaling has also been a hot topic recently - a method of improving organisation and personal productivity.

Maybe Mind Body Focus should run a workshop on Developing a Journaling Practice? - What do you think? Drop a comment or email us with your thoughts.

RESOURCES

https://www.thejournalingguy.com/blog/what-is-journaling

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-journaling