Journaling

Try these easy steps to help you begin writing as a way to help re-organize and release negative thoughts and emotions.

Journaling typically involves the practice of writing consistently as in a diary or journal. This practice today can be whatever we wish to make it. Whether it's writing on a daily basis or a few times a week, even a few times a day, it's one of the best ways to help re-organize our thoughts, clear our minds, plan ahead, release emotions and remind us of what we are grateful for. Most importantly, writing can help with personal healing, growth and development.

I started journaling as a young girl in the 5th grade, suggested by my English Teacher, Mrs. Haviland. To this day, I can hear her voice telling the class to take out our journals and write for 15 minutes. This became a practice I would go on to continue at home every night, which I'm sure was the goal. Journaling became my way to express about my experiences throughout the day, and also my way to release some emotions I often kept to myself. I do believe that journaling helped me get through much of my elementary and high school years, and certainly has helped me throughout my adult life.

As I've continued the practice of what I now like to simply call "writing" I begin my day with it (after meditation) and often end my day with it. On days I feel a bit stressed, I take out my notebook or grab a piece of paper and just write. I release whatever is bothering me on paper and that helps me let go of those feeling and re-organize my thoughts about it so I can focus on a solution instead of what's stressing me. Some days I may not have much in particular to write about, but I will still open my journal and express what I'm grateful and thankful for.

If you haven't tried journaling or writing, I encourage you to try it. You don't have to write in anything fancy. I often buy a bunch of pretty composition books and use those. I also have pretty and inspiring journals, and I often just use paper, which I later dispose of if it's something I don't care to look at again.

Here are some tips to get you to begin writing:

Make writing a ritual. Just like working out, practicing yoga or meditation, make it part of a self-care ritual.

Writing has no time frame. You can write everyday or a few times a week for 5 minutes or 1 hour. Just allow yourself to put pen to paper and go for it! Whatever comes out, comes out and stop when you feel you're done.

Writing has many directions. Some people write to organize themselves, release stress, clear their minds, whatever the purpose is, don't worry about spelling, grammar, or even making any sense. Just write. If you're writing to organize or plan, the direction then has to be more clear and detailed so you don't get lost. Begin with putting thoughts on paper, and go back to re-organize. (more of Journaling for Planning on another post)

When releasing emotions or stress through writing, remember that focusing only on the problem won't help create a solution. Acknowledge your distress, thank it for showing itself, release it, then focus on HOW you can come up with a solution to help you move out of the discomfort and grow from it.

Always end with an attitude of gratitude. Expressing gratitude at the end of each writing practice will help you reconnect with what's most important in your life. It will remind you that there's always a solution to everything. Make a list of things and people you are grateful for. That can include waking up each morning, the air we get to breath, the body our soul gets to live in, the clean water we get to bathe in, the good people in our lives, the cup of coffee or tea we get to have each day, the job that we have, the resources and financial resources we may have...the list can go on and on. Just be sure to show gratitude. And always remember to be grateful for yourself. Thank yourself for showing up for yourself by taking the time to write and release what's no longer serving you and recognizing what you have in your life that's good.

Here are some beautiful journals I love. Click on images to shop.

Thanks for stopping by! Always sending you lots of Love and Light.

xo Maritza

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