I am an avid writer and have kept a journal for yearssss (I have a tub of journals since I’ve been married). I write when I am angry, tired, scared, happy, and sorrowful. 2020 gave me a lot of opportunities to understand my feelings better. Writing helped me process the trauma of the last 9 months. Today, I am sharing tips for beginning your own journaling practice.
Begin with a blank notebook. Any will do, I prefer bound notebooks as spirals hurt my wrist as my hand rests on the book. Grab a pen you love or a few.
Here are a few Gratitude prompts:
- 3 things I am grateful for right now…
- Today I want to feel…
- What is something you are looking forward to?
- What is something about your body or health that you are grateful for?
- What is an accomplishment you are proud of?
- How are you able to help others?
- Write about a friend you are grateful for.
- What is one mistake you are grateful for?
Another journaling practice is to write letters to your self, share your day to day don’t overthink it. Write a letter telling yourself your hopes and dreams for the upcoming season, share about reflections on past events or what you hope to overcome. Journaling is a great gift from the past, it helps you remember the minute details of a season that felt overwhelming at the time that you’ve now forgotten.
If you are the praying type, instead of prayer as spoken out loud. Trying writing out your prayers, write in scriptures, song lyrics, or draw images. When the page is empty, the slate is clean for you to create anything.
If you aren’t a writer, beginning a journaling practice can be hard. So, leave your journal close to were you rest, on your side table in the living room or your bedside table. Make it obvious and available, if that means carrying it with you so you can write in between moments then do that.
Stylishly Shelby 