Do you journal?
If you do, then you know the power behind it.
If you don't...
All the emotions in your world get stuck in your mind, body and soul.
I believe it is the most powerful of all releases to understanding yourself.
In my world, it is the way I keep my head from spinning out of control.
Journaling is one of the most powerful tools that I could offer you.
Why?
Because when you release your thoughts to paper.
You release your truths to a visual.
What was maybe stuck in thought can be seen and dealt with.
When a question is asked to you first, you would likely ponder or linger on that thought of what was asked.
Second guessing your thinking and changing the thought to mostly what you think others want to hear or even worse, what you want to hear.
It is important for you to have a journal that you love to look at and to hold.
It certainly does not have to be expensive by any means, but you must feel good when you are using it.
I purchased a book before that was purple and pink poke-a-dots… dots and the color purple are not my fav.
So needless to say, I was not drawn to write in that book, nor did I have a great energy when I did.
Sounds a bit goofy, but I am serious about the book having to feel right.
Below are a few styles of journaling you can try.
If you have others that work great, please share in the comments below, I would love to hear what works for you.
You may be able to help someone become unstuck with this process.
Free Style Journaling
(My Personal Style)
My personal style of journaling has no structure. I do that on purpose.
I grab my pen and paper and write everything I am feeling.
Even if it is a crap ass mood… all true thoughts are released onto the page without time for judgement.
I almost doodle my thoughts.
This is the truest form of myself, and the fastest way for me to see what I have to work on within myself.
As well as the fastest way for me to see where I can celebrate my achievements to keep me in a positive mindset.
Here’s how:
Set your timer for 20 Minutes.
Shut off all distractions
Start writing! (Whatever comes up, write it down, all of it)
Once the timer goes off, put the pen down and sit quietly for a few and breathe to accept the release of your thoughts.
Re-read to know what thoughts you have to work on, and what thoughts you get to celebrate.
After doing this, I use The D.E.B.A.R Method to take an re-frame my thinking.
To move forward into a conscious mindset instead of reacting from past lessons.
Looking at the unwanted results allows you to start to see the change needed in your thinking.
Pray Rain Journaling
Pray Rain Journaling I discovered in 2016.
I was so intrigued by Janette’s story, that I had to speak with her and start this practice in my life.
I have attached a link to the Magic of Pray Rain Journaling in case you would like to purchase Janette Maw’s book.
A quick overview of this type of journaling:
- It is to journal as if you already have achieved, lived and demonstrated what you want.
- It is creating your future before you live your life.
The story stems from a business man who went to go see an aboriginal man in the desert.
The man native to the land took the business man with him to the top of the mountain to “Pray Rain” as there was a drought happening.
The business man asked, “Should you not pray FOR rain?”
The native man said, “If I pray FOR rain it shows my lack of not having, but when I pray rain, it will feel as if I already have it.”
He stood with his eyes closed on that mountain top for 5 minutes with the business man looking on.
After 5 minutes the land owner opened his eyes and said “Ok, I’m done!”
“What? What did you do?” the business man was shocked.
“I put myself in the place where it was raining. Puddles of water formed at my feet, the rain fell upon my face as I looked to the sky, the earth soaked up the rain.”
The next day… it rained.
Now whether you believe this story or not, it is worth the try.
I practice this and I can tell you, things happen because after I use this way of journaling, I open myself up, my mind up to opportunities and willingness to see.
Here’s How:
Sit with your journal and be in a calm environment. (Headspace)
Start writing as if you already have what you want and feel the feelings of already having it.
E.G.
I love that when I walk into work everyone is willing to help each other.
When I feel hungry the right foods always seem to be ready for me to eat and be healthy.
Every time I speak to my kids we get a closer connection than ever before.
Gratitude Journaling
I am sure you have heard of this before, but if not I am going to explain it for you.
Let’s face it, at one point I didn’t know what it was.
This kind of journaling is to appreciate all that is in your life now. To the people, things, places, jobs, money.
I have heard, the best time to do this practice is first thing in the morning. Taking 5 minutes for all you are grateful for.
Why?
Because it starts your brain and day in the most positive way.
It opens you up to find new people and things to be grateful for.
You actually start looking for gratitude moments to write about.
OR
You can write about your gratitude for the day just before bed.
This sets your morning as well. Whatever you go to bed thinking about, your thoughts continue when you wake up.
You can also read your morning gratitude’s before bed.
Or read your bed time gratitude’s when you awake.
Either way you are starting and ending your day in a positive way.
Here’s How:
Go through your day in your mind.
Write everything that you are grateful for from the day or day before. (Depending on morning or night journaling)
Use all three or just one, but make it a daily habit in your life.
By doing this you will make yourself aware of your thinking to make the changes you need in your life.
Sitting around waiting for our world to change is like fishing without putting a rod in the water and hoping you eat fish for dinner.
You are the reason your life will change...
You are also the reason your life will stay the same.
Make the change you want to see in your world and your world around you will change.
If you are feel stuck and need that extra help moving forward... start with these 5 steps.