What is Guided Journaling & how does it help!?
Journaling is something we hear about all the time now… in wellness podcasts and on lists of self-care tips, but what IS it and how does it help? I didn’t really discover the benefits of journaling until lockdown and it was only then that I started to build it in consistently – but, let me tell you, it really can be a game changer.
Firstly, what is journaling?
Journaling is the process of getting things out of your head and onto the page. Often that’s writing but it could be drawing, or even just scribbling if you’ve had a particularly stressful day. It can be blended with scrapbooking, quotes you find meaningful, affirmations… there’s no ‘right’ way to do it!
But what’s a journaling event?
Fair question! Journaling is often a private activity so how can there be an event for it? Well, one of the things I struggled with most when I first started journaling was motivation and finding a way in. By that, I mean knowing what kind of thing to write, how long to give myself etc. At the event, I guide everyone through a series of prompts and creative activities to help you get into the flow state.
So, what are the benefits?
- Taking time for you
Journaling forces you to slow down your thoughts to the pace of your writing and take some time out for self-reflection. We’re constantly bombarded with pulls on our attention (work & family responsibilities, social media, life admin…) Journaling helps to hit pause on all that and creates space for the bigger picture.
- Discover your flow state
The ‘flow state’ is another of those terms you may have heard bandied about, but essentially it just means that feeling of being completely absorbed in the activity you’re doing. Often, to the point of losing track of time. Think of times you’ve been absorbed in a great book or conversation – that’s the flow state! It’s great for our wellbeing as it helps us enter a more meditative state, and journaling can help us get there.
- Find your voice
It’s rare for us to write purely for ourselves. The vast majority of the time we’re writing to an audience – whether it be an email to a colleague or a card to a loved one. Journaling is just for you. So, it’s a way of discovering your authentic voice and unearthing how you like to communicate. This can help you show up more honestly for yourself and also in your relationships.
- Time to reflect
Let’s be honest, life is often a fair old mix of good and bad and most of us have had our share of challenges along the way. Taking some time to reflect honestly, process our emotions and put self-care steps in place to heal is invaluable. Journaling isn’t just about looking back though! It’s also about reflecting on the present and future we want; and putting plans in place to bring those into being.
- Focus on what’s good
Journaling is often used as a way to vent our feelings and process challenges… and I’m here for that! However, journaling can also be used to explore what’s good in our lives, discover what we love and add more of that in. You may have heard of ‘gratitude journaling’ but there’s lots of other ways of harnessing the power of positive psychology to celebrate the good!
Click HERE for details of upcoming Guided Journaling events.