Journaling

Have you ever?

Not until Steve and I went through our ‘thing’ I talked about  HERE did I actually start to journal on a regular basis. It has become a space where I can process what the heck is going on in my wee head -good or bad! It has helped me accept myself as I am. I have developed a kind of self passion that I think I lacked before this journey of journaling. Everyday I get to spend time with myself and get to know myself better. Doesn’t that sound nice?

Time and time again I tried to journal. I’d buy cute writing books and leave them beside my bed so that I could jot a few things down at night before going to sleep. This became nothing more than a to do list as my busy little mind wandered. I tried to put the books beside my favourite chair where I enjoy my coffee…unfortunately this is also where I keep decor magazines and well…if I you know me..you know I can spend a lot of time buried in one!

My journal became my  friend and and confident. I use ‘notes’ on my IPad. It’s always available. I pick it  up and just start typing. I never worry about grammar or spelling. I try to get my thoughts out as fast as I can. I share secrets, my fears and my anxieties. I also share my happiness and all that I am grateful for.  My journal never talks back, never judges.

I don’t think there is a right way or a wrong way to journal but one thing I did notice upon rereading my entries from December and January when Steve was given the diagnosis of LMD, was how much of the negative I focused on.

When I journal now I enter  positives to each and every day…to be honest most of the entries are positive. My life is full, my family is fine and for now I get to live in this adorable little beach house. We are actually trying to extend our stay here.  More on that in a future post. 😉

I was asked what I write about and how to start. My answer…just WRITE!

W.R.I.T.E. 

When? Try to be consistent with the time you write. Make it a habit each night or early each day. If you enjoy a quiet tea in the afternoon that might be the best time for you. You don’t have to write every day. Maybe two or three times a week works for you.
Reflect. Think back to your day and spill the shizz you want to get rid of but don’t get too hung up on the negatives….Celebrate the joys and end with the joys.
Inspire. Add inspirational quotes or a favourite verse from a song. Record the things that motivate you towards your goals. Get creative. A journal doesn’t have to be filled with written words. If you are writing in a book you can add sketches, sticky notes, use highlighters and stickers.
Treat yourself to some love. Don’t be negative and don’t judge yourself. You are you and you are amazing.
Earnest . Be truthful with yourself. Nobody but you will see your entries. Be as free and open and honest as you can. You may be surprised to learn something new about yourself.

Developing a journal practice can be as simple as purchasing a note book at your local dollar store. Or you can start a ‘Notes’ page on your IPad or a word doc on your laptop. Mine is one very long note and getting to the bottom is an ordeal! It just goes on and on and on!! I should probably purchase a notebook and start writing in it and get creative. I don’t think I am quite ready yet. HAHA, I don’t want to be judging my cursive or my spelling! LOL.

 

HOW TO DEVELOP A JOURNALING JOURNEY:

✍️ Be sure this is something you have time and energy for. If you have a lot on your plate, right now might not be the best time for you to start. You don’t want to look at this as ‘one more thing you need to get done.’

✍️ Make this a positive experience. Put on a favourite song, light a candle or just enjoy some quiet time.

✍️ If you have tried to journal in the past and it has been an epic fail over and over again (like it was for me) maybe try a new method. Instead of physically writing with pen and paper try your computer and just start hitting those keys. If you don’t like what you see….delete, delete, delete. Don’t worry if it all feels awkward in the beginning. You will get used to it.

✍️ Prompts can help in the beginning. Write down 3-5 questions and answer them every night. What did I like about today? What did I dislike about today? What was I grateful for today? How did I make someone’s life better today?

✍️ Journaling does not have to be like a diary…no need to recap every event that took place in your day.

✍️ Have fun and let joy be your guide.

Starting something new can be a bit tricky. I know. I have been there. Our world is so loud and chaotic. Journaling can clear the noise and creates perspective. It helps you to recognize your habits, your dreams and patterns in life. These things have always been available to you, but can get hidden in the clutter of life.

W.R.I.T.E. What you feel.

Take this time for yourself,

💕 with all that life throws at you, you deserve it. 💕

PS…after writing my blog I came across the amazing analogy on life.

You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you making you spill your coffee everywhere.

Why did you spill the coffee?

”Because someone bumped into me.”

Wrong answer.

You spilled your coffee because there was coffee in your cup.

Had there been tea in the cup you would have spilled tea.

Whatever is inside your cup is what will spill out.

Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It’s easy to fake it until you get rattled.

So we have to ask ourselves…”what’s in my cup?”

When life gets tough what spills out?

Joy, gratitude, peace and humility?

Anger, bitterness, sadness, resentment, jealousy?

Life provides the cup. You choose how to fill it.

Let’s work on filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation, resilience, positivity, kindness, gentleness and love for other.😘