“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal. Take long walks in the woods.”
– Robin S. Sharma
The quote I share this week is how I have lived my life for decades. Journaling has helped with self-reflection and deep soul searching. There is something cathartic about getting it all out on paper to review. Journaling helps to ‘get it all out of our head’ – so we can really see and discern what might be going on beneath the surface in our lives.
Here is my latest contribution to Refined Kingston Magazine that explains journaling in more detail with some why’s and how to’s.
Remember when we used to have journals as children? We would write down our thoughts, crushes, escapades and how were feeling about life as we grew up.
This is a practice I have continued my entire life, and yes, I have had to hide or burn some of them too!
Why journal? Recent studies have found that journaling helps improve our mental health. When we allow ourselves to let our thoughts and feelings stream out onto the pages of a journal it helps us decompress. We tend to, and are often taught to, suck it up and hold it all in. Not good – as this can cause anger, frustration and even depression.
What is journaling? It is a way for us to have a written record of our thoughts, feelings, observations, experiences and challenges. Instead of running away from life we can move through what is going on in our life and look at it straight on – in our own way, in our own time; and privately. It forces us to slow down and be more aware. It might also be something we share with a therapist.
How does journalling help our mental health?
- clears our head and heart of issues that might be creating tension and stress
- acts as a dumping ground for us to privately express what we might not be able to verbalize
- helps us get to know ourselves better and become more aware
- clarifies goals in life
- lets us take control of life so it feels more manageable
- processes a difficult situations
- shifts our viewpoint
- puts things into perspective and bring us back to reality
- records our triumphs and achievements
- a wonderful tool for recording your observations while traveling
Here is a tip for you. I have a journal that is completely dedicated to inspiring me when I feel stuck in a rut or upset. It contains favourite quotes, poems, sayings and reminders to get me back on track again. I like to write with different coloured ink pens to keep it pretty and interesting. Try creating a journal like this for yourself. It will be one you come back to for years to come.
How to begin: You can journal daily, or whenever you feel the urge to do so. Get a journal that you love; something that inspires you. You may want something unmarked to keep it private.
While you write, don’t stop to edit what you are sharing on the page, and don’t worry about grammar and punctuation. Write until you feel complete; when you have emptied your mind and heart of all that needs to be written. If it contains a lot of negativity I would suggest not rereading it unless you need to clarify something or get back to a particular topic.
Allow this process to be one that you return again and again – something you look forward to and trust as a part of your life and personal growth.
An amazing speaker and inspiring Canadian author Robin S. Sharma has this to share:
“I write in a journal daily. This extraordinary ritual has revolutionized my mindset, transformed my heartset, and generally influenced my life exponentially.”
Feel free to reach out to me for a private session to get you going!
Upcoming Events & Workshops
November
November 16: Reiki for Animals (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
November 26-27: Usui Reiki Master – 2 Days (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
November 30-Dec 1: Urban Goddess Retreat (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
December
November 30-Dec 1: Urban Goddess Retreat (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
December 7-8: Usui Reiki: Third Degree Class (Sat 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
December 14-15: Usui Reiki: First Degree Class (Sat & Sun 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
December 21: Reiki Drum Healing (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
January 2020
January 11-12: 6-month Usui Reiki Master Teacher training begins
January 18: Heal Stress & Anxiety with Energy Techniques & Intro to Meditation Class(10:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
January 19: 5-Minute Wellness Routine: Energy Medicine Workshop (10:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
January 25-26: Usui Reiki: First Degree Class (Sat & Sun 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
February
February 7-9: Usui Reiki Master – 3 Days (9:30 – 5:00)
February 22/23: Usui Reiki: Second Degree Class (Sat & Sun 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
April
April 3: Integrated Energy Therapy Basic Class (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
April 4: Integrated Energy Therapy Intermediate Class (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
April 5: Integrated Energy Therapy Advanced Class (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM)