Journaling to Heal
Begin where you are. Date your entries: day of the week, month, year, and time. Describe where you are physically as you begin this journal. Look around and notice your surroundings; write down what you see. How old are you? Are you married, single, do you have children, a job? Give all the specifics. Then describe how you are feeling. How is your life going? What are the things you love about your life right now? What are some things you want to improve or change? Do you have unresolved emotional issues that you need to explore? Write it all down. Write down a few dreams you have for yourself. Talk about any fears that come to mind. Let yourself write, freely, for at least five to ten minutes.
Now that you’ve had an opportunity to do some writing, ask yourself these questions in your journal:
• How did journaling feel to you?
• Was it different from what you expected?
• What did you like or dislike about it?
• What came up for you?
• What do you hope will come from your journaling practice?
Exploring Your Why
Write “why do I want to journal?” at the top of a blank page in your journal. Set a timer for ten minutes and start writing. Let yourself express all the crazy, wonderful, sad, joyful reasons why you chose to participate in this course. Write the most perfect thing that could come from participating in this course. Write down the naggings in your belly that seem to beckon you to journal. Write your most intimate thoughts. What do you believe journaling can do for you? Did something you read or heard make you want to start journaling, or did the inspiration come to you on its own?
Don’t overanalyze; just let yourself write whatever pops into your mind. Don’t worry if it’s messy and jumbled. If the thoughts don’t feel like they are flowing the way you think they should, just keep pushing that pen along the paper. Believe that whatever is supposed to come out will come out if you let it. Give yourself the space and the freedom to use up a few pages in your journal with your messy jumbled thoughts. It’s okay.
Draw a picture of something you see. Do you want to be a famous artist? Do you need to get back in touch with your creativity? Do you want to resolve feelings from a troubling relationship? Ask yourself all of these questions and write the first thing that pops into your head. Don’t judge it or edit it; just write it down. Your only task is to keep the pen moving for the full ten minutes.