Journaling allows us space for private reflection to sort through events that have occurred or problems that we have. It allows us to express, react, and reflect in a nonjudgemental way.
I think journaling is really useful because it forces us to get the ideas, and feelings in our heads, out into thoughts, which eventually land on the paper. It forces our brains to think about these things and put them into language. This helps us learn and better understand ourselves. There are many different types of journaling, aside from the daily check-in, “Dear Diary” type of writing. There’s brain dumps, and letter writing, memory recall, gratitude journaling, prompted responses, and more.
While I think implementing a daily practice of checking in with yourself is super valuable and something everyone could benefit from, it isn’t always a good fit for everyone, and that's okay! You could even do verbal journaling. Talk to the empty seat in your car, leave yourself a voice memo, talk to your cat, your dog, your favorite plant. Whether you’re writing the words, or saying them out loud (even if it's a whisper) forcing your brain to translate its thoughts, feelings, and experiences into language is super helpful.
Maybe you’re feeling stuck. Maybe you want to get to know yourself a little better. Maybe you like to write and journal and are looking for new prompts. Maybe you’re bored and just want something to do. Whatever the reason, find a comfortable spot, settle in, and think about the questions. Maybe you put pen to paper or maybe you just mull them over in your mind. This is your practice and whatever serves you best - do that. If you feel stuck or don’t know how to answer the question, skip it, and come back to it (or don’t), or try saying it out loud.
Try and write freely, whatever comes to mind. There is no need to edit your thoughts, whatever comes up, comes up. There is no right or wrong.
10 Journal Prompts For Self Discovery
What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Why?
What is the biggest trigger of stress in your life?
What do you think is the most important thing for today’s kids to learn in school?
What is a priority for you right now?
What is standing in your way right now?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Complete the thought “ I wish I had paid more attention when..”
If you could go back in time exactly 10 years and give yourself some advice, what would you tell yourself?
What do you need more of right now?
Now take time to pause and reflect on your answers. Do you notice any themes? Is there anything that stands out to you? Do any of your answers surprise you? Are there answers that don’t surprise you? Did any emotions come up as you were thinking about these things? Is there anything you feel a desire to change? What do you think your answers will be like a week from now? A month from now? A year from now? Is there anything that you want to be the same, or different?
As always, take what is helpful and leave the rest :) Happy Journaling
Resources/References
Benefits of Journaling, Positive Psychology.- https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/
Journaling Benefits - https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1
Benefits of Keeping a Journal - https://journey.cloud/journaling-benefits
Therapeutic journaling - http://projects.hsl.wisc.edu/SERVICE/modules/12/M12_CT_TherapeuticJournaling.pdf
Journal writing therapy - https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/journal-therapy
Journaling to enhance therapy - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-therapy/201101/journaling-in-therapy