Anyone can write. You can write. I’m not talking about published content, but rather private, personal writing. This kind of writing brings much needed clarity; it opens you up to yourself in amazing ways.
If you’re not a journaler, maybe it’s because you think you can’t write, you have nothing to say, or you don’t know where to begin. If this sounds like you, try these 10 ideas to write your way to clarity.
- Buy a journal. Browse journals at a craft or bookstore. You’ll find a range of shapes, sizes, colors and formats. I’ve experimented over the years and after filling umpteen journals, I’m hooked on a 9 X 12 spiral-bound sketchbook style. Nice big white unlined pages greet me every day. With so many choices, you’ll find one you love, too.
- Find a favorite pen or marker. I like ink to flow effortlessly across the page, so I’m a fan of the Uni-ball Signo gel pen. It’s also a great choice for sketching and doodling, which I do in my journal when the mood strikes. Experiment until you figure out your best option. Interestingly, it’s best to put pen to paper if at all possible {vs. computer journaling}. Somehow there’s a deeper connection. It may sound silly, but it makes a difference.
- Forget about “rules”. There aren’t any rules for your journaling practice. Sentences, paragraphs, punctuation, grammar, spelling — pfft — none of it matters. Scribble, scrawl, sprinkle the pages with misspellings. These are your sacred pages, no one will see them, no one will know the difference. In fact if you’re like me, you won’t even re-read what you’ve written.
- Notice what’s showing up. One of the most impactful things about journaling is allowing your unedited truths to surface, to come into your awareness, and be pondered as you write them.
What I’ve found — and I love this — is once your deepest thoughts are acknowledged, they remain with you. They guide you. They help you in all kinds of useful ways, without the need to “review”.
- Find your best time. There isn’t a bad time to journal. The practice can happen anytime, anywhere. One of my clients journals periodically throughout his day. I’m definitely an early morning {and sometimes a late night} journaler. For best results, find your ideal time and go with it more days than not.
- Go beyond your inner critic. At first it can be difficult to sit yourself down, open a blank page, and express yourself. Your inner critic will generate useless, distracting chatter. Ignore it. Write about it. Talk back to it on the page. Do whatever feels best for you, but realize your inner critic is nothing more than a pesky annoyance. In time and with practice, you will tame it.
- Privacy, please. What goes in your journal is for you and you alone. This heartfelt, soulful content isn’t for general consumption. Of course you may want to share insights selectively, but to be completely transparent with yourself, I recommend you respect your need for privacy.
- Questions are powerful. Writer’s block happens, especially in the beginning. One way to open up and get things flowing is to ask questions. Even as a long-term journaler, I love putting questions on the page as prompts. What’s on my mind? What have I been feeling lately? What’s working for me? What’s not? What am I resisting? What have I accomplished recently?
- Think in themes. Themes are another way to jump start your writing. Some of my favorite themes are creativity, self-care, my current priorities, or a special project or intention that is on my mind. Journaling around words you want your life to reflect can generate powerful insights and shifts. Balance, right relationships, spiritual growth, ease, authenticity…what words might you want to explore?
- Open up to your stream of consciousness. The more you journal, the easier it becomes. Don’t edit your thoughts; write whatever pops into your mind. I’m continually amazed how often I begin with one thread of thought and, quite effortlessly, things unfold until I’m at an entirely different {and insightful} place. This is the true beauty and power of journaling.
If you’ve considered but abandoned journaling, maybe it’s time to try again. Like so many things in life, the greater your resistance, the more beneficial the result. My guess is that you would enjoy a soul-satisfying journaling practice more than you can imagine.
Daily ideas and inspirations to help you create a more authentic, balanced life are available here: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FEQHI7I
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