Journaling : 24/7 therapy on call
The purpose of this article is to show the purpose and the benefits of keeping a journal in order to live your best life. Finding your way, seeing patterns, discovering solutions. You can write your journal, even just a few sentences a day for the rest of your life. A journal is a mental health tool that is always there, all hours of the day at times when you cant talk to a friend or your counsellor.
Writing down you thoughts and feelings in a journal can be the beginning of solutions. Once on paper your thoughts and feeling are external, they no longer need to be held 24/7 in your RAM (rapid access memory).
Write daily and especially when your mind is racing. "Download" from your mind into your journal. At the bottom of every daily entry add a few key words about worries, possibilities, inspirations, desires, longings, feelings, energy levels, fears, options, gratitudes, opinions. You become the observer of yourself, over days and weeks.
As you observe your writing over time you can begin to evaluate. You make some interesting, empowering discoveries about yourself.
- Some longings and desires are much more powerful than others and prevail, from week to week, demanding attention.
- Some things that were major concerns last month are no longer even a daily worry.
- Certain fears seem to be prevailing, blocking new growth, new possibilities
- Certain activities, people, dreams, beliefs are energising, others not so much.
- From confusion emerges increasing creativity, calmness and clarity.
- Solutions and directions become increasingly obvious
- Life purpose and awareness of your most valuable personal connections emerge
- You can monitor and record self care, sleep, weight, exercise etc
- Certain fears, blocks are revealed, clarified and new options are emerging (including taking these fears and blocks to counselling)
It is not just the writing that is working in this process. Have you ever heard the expression "I'll sleep on it" While you are asleep your unconscious mind is processing, assimilating, clarifying everything that your conscious mind has externalised, put on paper ...plus coming up with creative solutions that you have never even considered.
A great fallacy is the belief that the longer you think about something the closer you are to the solution. Over thinking complex situations is exhausting and often is futile. The paradox is that the busy mind can block the sleep (or meditation) from where creative solutions will emerge.
In beginning to write your journal you are signalling that you are ready to pay attention to who you really are..... and to live your life authentically and creatively, tapping into your own intelligence (conscious and unconscious) to be the very best version of you.
If you feel stuck or blocked bring your journal to counselling. People who journal make rapid progress !
A journal can be on paper or it could be a word document. Every journal is different. Drawing, colours, images, underlining, symbols add extra dimensions. Your journal is your own, in your own language. It is not there for others to read but you will probably like to share your insights at times.
Any questions please email me.. (see contact button at bottom of page)
You may also find useful my articles on
Valueshttps://www.martinfraser.co.nz/values/
Motivation https://www.martinfraser.co.nz/getting-motivated-for-change/
Planning changes https://www.martinfraser.co.nz/planning-a-change-in-your-life/