Dear Diary… Creating a Ritual of Journaling for Healing and Self-Discovery (part 1)
Dear Diary,
Today was so rad! My mom let me get my ears pierced and I can’t wait to show all my friends! So excited!!!
Love, Me
So many of us think of our 4th grade diary when we think of journaling, and the resistance is strong. What should I write? What if I can’t stay consistent?? What if someone finds it???
Why is Journaling so Important?
Journaling has long been recognized as an important tool in the journey of growth, healing and self-discovery. It can reduce stress, clear the mind of obsessive or ruminating thoughts and process difficult feelings. When our thoughts and feelings are swirling around our brain, it’s easy to feel stuck. Writing helps clear a busy mind and prepares us for better decision making. This also applies to positive thoughts and goals for the future. Writing down our goals and vision can help us get clear about the habits and behaviors needed to manifest our dreams.
Journaling as Part of the Therapeutic Process
As a therapist, I encourage my clients to use journaling as a mindfulness and processing tool. In order to heal from our pasts, we must be mindful of the negative stories we have created about who we are and how we show up in the world. We must unpack where those thoughts, feelings and beliefs came from and how they manifest in our habits and behaviors. Journaling allows us to connect the dots from past experiences to our current day lives, becoming mindful of unproductive, internalized beliefs and attitudes. Once we become aware of our internal narratives, we can start to coach ourselves from a place of love and compassion. We can rewrite those stories from a kinder, gentler and more gracious place. And it is from here that we can create the life, love and connections we desire.
Journaling as Meditation
If you’ve ever tried to meditate, you can attest to how difficult it can be. Traditional meditation requires us to clear our mind of thoughts, a process and skill to practice and develop. The goal isn’t to do it “right”; the goal is the process, both successes and failures. The goal is observation and release. Consider journaling a meditative process. It’s not about writing well or at length. Your journal is for you and the goal is the process. Journaling allows us to clear our minds and gain clarity.
Next week I will discuss creating rituals around our journaling practice that will give a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. I would love to support you in your journey of self-discovery and healing. Schedule a free 20-minute consultation call and find out how we can work together