Don’t be put off by the term “journal”, it can look like a hand written diary on lined paper in a fresh book, or an online series of google docs. that are typed on a laptop. At the end of the day, it is not about what method of journaling is easier, because writing a journal should be an easy and enjoyable technique to get yourself out of a negative place. You don’t even have to call it a “journal entry”, you could name it anything you like! I have been dreaming of writing a book that helps people get out of a rut, and journaling is chapter. I have been planning it, writing it, and practising. So here I am writing about it today as a blog article for you, in the hope that you regain confidence and positivity. And start to journal yourself!

I started “journal writing” because a therapist told me to. I thought: “I’ll write about my feelings and plan my day.” I wrote: 
“9am: Wake Up, 
9.15: have breakfast, 
10am: get a coffee
11am: shower.” 

My writing was boring. If you have started like that, that is okay! I will hopefully help journal better! 

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Nowadays, I type entries every day, and some days it is hard to stop typing, because I have so many exciting things I want to write about and envision. Writing is planning, recording or making lists, in a creative way. It is not only your grocery shopping list, but lists of things you want to buy for yourself, lists of pampering ideas you usually do, and it comes with the vision of getting pampered or going shopping!  You write about your aspirations, chances are you are envisioning them and, therefore, living them! Isn’t that a great conversation topic for your next dinner party?! My journaling got better when I was inspired to write. My advice is to be inspired by images, people, places, and things! Ask yourself what inspires you most?

 

I write spiritual mantras, as a way of clearing my mind, setting an intention for life, myself, and writing. Start with an opening mantra, a positive one, such as, "My energy is clear, all blocks removed, and creativity flowing, I am so powerful and blessed." Another useful tool, is writing your own positive self affirmations, e.g. "I am happy, loved and beautiful." As long or as brief as you like, using words that you create of you found somewhere, until you could one day write your own pages of self affirmations. 

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In order to write better, flow with the idea you have in mind, and keep yourself inspired daily! What would you write about if you had no limits?  Some good topics are: your plans for the future, your aspirations, your career plans, what is working for you right now in life, e.g. relationships, work, love, friendships, and face what is not working for you right now! One of my paper book journals is hand written, with sticky notes all throughout! Some pages consist of picture collages of fashion pieces that I like from magazines. I even added in rough drawings of Beyonce doing her famous power poses, that I traced and practised to do myself.  Another idea was preparing for a job application. I I journaled a monologue, and practised out aloud to myself. I write entries in the format of letters (that I never send), for example, a letter to a family member who lives overseas, and a letter to a leader whose work I admire.

 

I am nailing writing and journaling, and I am having fun with it! Through writing, I have built the beliefs that I am a good writer, and I am clever. I draw more than I ever have, and I believe in my creative abilities. Is there something you would like to be good at (again)?