Site navigation and social media links
A Powerful Tool for Transformation
Blog | January 08, 2018
What if I told you that you could transfer all of your thoughts, dreams, and secrets onto something, and gaze right into yourself as though you were looking into a crystal ball? More so, what if I told you that this thing bares no judgment? And that it required no battery, switch, key, or investment? Want to know what it is?
A journal.
Don’t leave just yet and hear me out. I know it sounds silly, or cheap. “Zuzka, only woo-woo, over-emotional, old-fashioned people journal! I don’t have time to journal. I hate writing. I think it’s a waste of time.”
Believe it when I say that a journal could be one of the most powerful tools to have at hand. And for a many reasons.
First, it’s a great place to pour all of our emotions into. If you don’t feel open to talking to someone, and prefer to keep things private, a journal would be the perfect place for you to transfer them over. Don’t bottle up your emotions; the longer they stay, the stronger they grow, and the more likely you are to snap. Instead of waiting for the moment that will eventually set you off, get rid of the pent up feelings and write them down. Just the physical act of holding a pen and giving voice to these thoughts and feelings makes the release all the more cathartic. As a matter of fact, once you’re done and have gone over what you wrote, you may find yourself getting a better insight into what’s really happening in your head. You’ll notice little details about yourself, becoming your own personal therapist. For instance, you may notice that there’s a pattern or cycle to things that cause you to react or feel a certain way. You may realize that there’s a problem at hand that needs to be fixed. But none of this would ever have happened unless you were clear about your emotions.
Secondly, a journal is like a quiet, open friend that you can freely turn to when things get tough. Whether it’s coping with depression, understanding your fears and anxieties, or releasing your emotions, a journal can help you to get through even the toughest of times.
You’ll also be able to track down things that provoke or trigger you, too. Once again, you become the therapist, identifying the daily stresses and behaviors that may be impacting your life. But you wouldn’t have done this had you not written them down.
Third, a journal could also function like a planner. Let’s face it, we all get busy, and life doesn’t typically slow down just to give us a break. If you’re especially prone to getting nervous and uptight during the week, why not jot down your daily schedule, upcoming events, and to-do list? That way, you can prioritize the more important things, and set aside the small stuff? A peace of mind and enhanced productivity are just some of the benefits towards doing this!
A fourth and final benefit to journaling is enhancing your creativity. Who says a journal has to be all doom and gloom? Why not have a little fun and make it a dream journal? Write down all of your hopes, dreams, and desires; feel free to color, draw, or paste inspiring pictures onto the pages? After all, nobody’s going to read it! It’s your own little world, and you’ve got VIP access.
A journal is a powerful tool when properly used. It can be a gateway towards your inner self, helping you to understand yourself and those racing thoughts and emotions. It can be your own therapist, listening in to your struggles, frustrations, pains, and fears. It can also be your inspirational hot spot, filled to the brim with all of the things that activate your imagination. The only thing you have to maintain is consistency; write as often as you can. Keep with you in your purse, desk, or bag; take it on a plane, by your bed, or to lunch. Whatever you choose to do with your journal is up to you.
Tell in the comments if you have, or like to, journal. Has it helped improve your life?
Related Posts
-
Improve Your Energy Levels & Weight Loss
Fitness Tips
-
Stress Relieve Mobility Routine
Warm-up & Cool Down
Private Member |
ft. lauderdale, fl, usa
Writing helps me to straighten my thoughts and in fact, usually I’m able to express what I want/feel way better in writing than orally. Anytime I have any strong negative emotion that I don’t want to vent on my loved ones I sit down and write it off. I think I may even have a gift for writing, and writing a successful novel, or even a blog, is my dream. So I really don’t understand what holds me back, why I don’t eben have a journal. Let alone a blog. I’ll definitely fix that, and tomorrow I’ll go buy myself a nice journal. And maybe, one of these days, I may even start with the blog..
Private Member |
One of my goals for 2018 was to journal more! I have kept a journal since my school days but lately it hasn’t been as regular as I like. I think it is a great way to remember the little moments of life that easily get forgotten. Thank you for the added encouragement!
Private Member |
france
Funny that I’m thinking of starting a journal for 2018, I’m thinking something where I’ll right my thoughts and poor my more negative emotions each night before bed, but I have to finish with one positive thought or something I’m grateful for the day. I think this helps you look into thinks with a different perspective or see that things are not so bad… and hopefully help me sleep better I hope!
Private Member |
woodbridge, virginia, usa
I have journalled in the past but not consistently. You’ve made such valid points, like dealing with these emotions of ours, so I’m definitely interested in starting again…consistently. Thanks Z 🙂
Private Member |
salem, or, usa
For several years now, I have used a combination of the Five-Minute Journal and The Artist’s Way journaling methods in my daily journaling. I have experienced all of the benefits described above. It’s become a regular part of my morning routine – meditation, journal, exercise (although I’m not always consistent about that last part 😉). I love the way that journaling can be a reflection of my mood and can help me to understand things about myself. Sometimes, if I don’t know what to write about, I will ask myself questions in my journal from things that I’ve read, like, “What would you do differently if you knew that retirement were never an option?”, or “What was the best idea you’ve ever had? What made it so great in your mind?” Journaling is an invaluable tool, even if you never plan on reading it again.
Private Member |
los angeles, ca, usa
Yes! I’ve been journaling regularly since I was a little girl and Ive just recently started to write my dreams which helps me remember them and tap into my intuition. I highly recommend it and use it with my clients as well.
Private Member |
I have started journaliing too, and I also use my journal to record thoughts, inspirations, and “to-do”s. It’s really a carry everywhere and constantly jot in/reference kind of book for me. I even right down Zuzka workouts in mine sometimes! 🙂
Private Member |
This is the best advice! I have so many journals from years and years of writing. I love how you said it is like a “quiet, open friend” because that’s what it has been for me since I don’t like verbally expressing myself a lot. The good thing about keeping all these journals is that you can look back and see how far you’ve come, how much you’ve achieved, how your worries/anxieties have gotten better or how much stronger you’ve become. Thanks for sharing Zuzka……
Private Member |
Thank you 😊 xx perfect timing xx
Private Member |
case pilote, martinique
When I was a teenager I started a journal. I was writing when nobody could understand my thoughts and feelings. Most of the time I was angry and mad at people so I decided to write and each time it helped me to get rid of my anger. Once I read that when you start a journal it’s mainly because you don’t find somebody to talk to. In fact it seems that some of our thought and feelings are just too heavy for some people to hear. That is what I’ve learnt from this experience.
Another thing I’ve learnt is that when you identify the cycle you’re in you must take a step backward and think about the use of your journal. I was running in circles not able to get out of it. I was suffering and nobody could help me. So I was writing things that were not helping me. And one day I just stopped writing because it wasn’t helping anymore. It came to my mind that I was doing more harm to myself than trying to find a solution.
This morning I thought it would be nice to start a journal again. So I wrote a few lines. Then did my workout. And saw this post. Strange but hey… That bullet journal is very popular these days.
I’m wondering if I would have time to write down interesting things. My mind needs it. And it would be great to have good memories that I can read in a few years.
Your post will surely help me in that way. 🙂
Thank you Zuzka for impacting my life in such a positive way.