Journaling
What is a journal? A record of your thoughts, feelings, reflections, ideas and activities. It is a “self-discussion” that helps you work through problems and solutions. It is a way to increase your self-awareness.
What are the benefits of journaling? By keeping a journal, you will develop a greater sense of clarity about who you are. It’s a method of finding solutions to problems, organizing your thoughts, setting more realistic goals and reaching them. It also improves your writing skills. It becomes a guide, a mirror, a confidant, a friend.
How do I get started? Select a beautiful book with blank pages or dig out a favorite old tablet. Fill a loose-leaf notebook with colored, lined paper or ornamental paper. Select a nice pen, colored pencils, or other art medium. Create themes notebooks in several spiral notebooks. Pick anything to write in that inspires you, Or don’t write at all… type! Sit down and start writing. Do not pay attention to grammar or spelling. Do not judge or censor yourself. Just let your creativity flow. Write anytime, anywhere and about anything. Write all the thoughts in your head, no matter what they are. For the best results, write often. Don’t forget to add the date, day of week, time of day, and location if different than usual.
Where can I write? Write anywhere, preferably a quiet, private place. Writing is a portable activity. You can do it anywhere! Music, sitting in a rocking chair or chewing gum often increases concentration. Nature is also another setting that increases your inspiration.
When should I keep a journal? Write anytime you are happy, scared, excited, worried, confused, content … for the best results, write regularly and often.
What should I write? Start by logging your activities. Write down your thoughts, feelings and ideas. Write out questions or a problem and attempt to find a solution.
What if I don’t enjoy writing? Draw, doodle, make lists, cut and paste pictures in a collage … use your creativity! Choose a word or theme and illustrate it. Describe the color, image or sound that you associate with it. Give yourself permission to skip days if needed. Don’t force yourself.
Adapted from www.powr.net/skyward/journaling.htm DW Sept 2007, Revised March 2010 for Still Waters
Ideas for Journaling
· Keep a thanksgiving or gratitude journal. What are you grateful for? List all the blessings in your life.
· List prayer requests, answers to prayers, the little things that some people chalk up to luck but we know are blessings, answers we were given to situations or when we see God's fingerprints in our lives
· Use cartoon drawings instead of words
· Keep a calendar to record the events of the day, weather, who you saw, where you went, how you felt about the day, etc.
· Make a word search, crossword puzzle or poem about your week. Use words that describe events, people, places and feelings.
· Write your goals for various areas of your life, such as house, family, body, appearance, leisure, spiritual, etc. Write what you want to be accomplishing in 3 months, 6 months, a year, 5 years and 10 years. (Choose time frames that are meaningful to you.) Paste photos, sketches and other pictures that represent your goals. Update regularly.
· List People who have made a difference in your life and why they did.
· Write a letter to God.
· Keep a journal of favorite quotes, poems or short stories. Write a reflection about why it impressed you.
· Reflect on a book or article you recently read
· List affirmations and positive descriptions about yourself
· Review “rules to live by” types of lists and record your thoughts
· Write quotes or scripture you want to memorize and apply in your life
· Reflect on meaningful passages from a daily meditation book
· Record the “highlights” and “lowlights” of the day. Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life by Dennis, Sheila and Matthew Linn
· Draw a map of your life
· Draw a timeline of your life and what were times of high stress and low stress
· Draw a bird’s eye view of your childhood home. What do you notice?
· Record a dream. What happened, what colors, feelings, thoughts do you have? Get a book out of the library on dream symbols and dream analysis.
· Meditate on a word, and then illustrate it
· Take a walk and record things you see or notice. Stop and draw a scene.
· Write down affirmations or insights from others. Record their name and the date.
· Spend time in nature. Reflect on your thoughts.
· List the “pros” and “cons” of a decision you need to make
· Doodle
· Choose a writing prompt from the Journal Jar in the Library
· Start a “pilgrimage” log. Anticipate a trip you are taking, record information about where you are going, what you anticipate seeing, and why you want to go. Keep a log during your travels describing your adventures. Sketch scenes along the way. Look for symbolism on the journey. See the trip as a sacred journey, not as a trip to a destination. Spend time reflecting on the trip after you arrive home.
DW Sept 2007 , Revised March 2010 for Still Waters
2