How To Start Journaling And Reconnect With Yourself
Self care, one page at a time
Written by Raven Pearson
If you’re feeling lost, numb, or as though you’re merely going through the motions, you’re in good company. These days, it can be easier to connect with a client or a co-worker than it is to (gasp!) get in touch with your own thoughts. Yet understanding yourself and your emotions is crucial to not just a productive life, but a fulfilling one. Enter journaling: the activity we all know about, but that might seem too daunting or time-consuming to try. Here are our top tips to kickstart your journaling journey and make it as relaxing and therapeutic as possible.
Gather materials that speak to you
This is where the fun begins. A sleek pocket moleskine, a cute hardcover diary, or even a simple college ruled notebook can work. If you’re more visual, you might opt for a scrapbook style book with larger pages to fill with clippings and drawings. Just remember: it’s all about choosing materials you’re comfortable using, but that still excite you. As for writing instruments, a satisfyingly inky black pen, or a peppy set of colorful gels can get the words flowing.
Prepare a calming environment
Journaling is all about connecting with your inner world, and it’s hard to do that when surrounded by distractions and clutter. Find a quiet spot in your home and light a candle, walk to a serene park, or chill in a cafe, at a safe distance, with headphones on--any place you feel calm and secure.
Start small
Lao Tzu famously stated that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Often, the most difficult part of keeping a journal is confronting a blank page. If you’re struggling to figure out what to write, the best thing to do is to put down anything that comes to mind. It can be a doodle, a summary of what you did that day, or what your goals are for the year. Don’t worry about sounding profound or eloquent, and you’ll be surprised at what starts flowing.
Embrace Imperfection
A journal isn’t meant to be a novel. The act of journaling is intended to connect your internal thoughts with the external world, and to help you feel at peace with yourself. That being said, try not to be critical of your journal’s contents. Random jottings, saved quotes, a quick description of something you found beautiful, or pasted magazine cutouts are all completely acceptable entries. Flipping through in retrospect, you may find that all those imperfect pages can add up to a beautiful representation of who you are.
Release Expectations
Journaling can be a vulnerable activity. You may not be used to sitting down and acknowledging your own thoughts. At times, you may be surprised at the intensity of your emotions, or may find you have days when you feel dull. Remember that all of this is natural. Let go of any expectations of what you feel journaling should be--this is about you and your personal journey, not anyone else’s.
Write when you feel inspired
Don’t fall into the trap of routine. Journaling is most therapeutic when it’s practiced regularly, but not if you’re feeling pressured into it. Some people might find solace in writing first thing in the morning, others at night before they go to bed. Don’t make journaling into a chore, and it will feel cathartic, not restrictive.
Privacy
The question of privacy is one that has plagued many would-be journalers, and understandably so. No one wants to feel like their innermost feelings are potentially on display, and this fear may keep you from truly expressing yourself. For this reason, famous diary keepers such as Samuel Pepys took to using code words, or using nondescript covers to hide the sensitive material. In the modern age, you might type journal entries on your password protected laptop, or use an encrypted online diary service, like Penzu. Also, many journals today are being manufactured with stronger combination locks than the flimsy ones you used in middle school. Ultimately, only you can decide what level of privacy you’re most comfortable with, so weigh your options before you get started.
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