Journaling is….
…Expressive writing Journaling is a place for the authentic expression of your thoughts, feelings and experience. Whatever is real, write it. You don’t need to pussy foot around the truth to please anyone else.
…Personal writing It is your own; personal to you; and it’s your choice whether you ever share it. If privacy is an issue in your home or life, consider how you can keep your journal away from prying eyes.
…Natural writing The emphasis of journaling is on moving towards uninhibited, fluid writing. This can take some time as many of us associate writing with school or work and the criticism or praise that came along with those settings. In your journal you don’t need to worry about getting it ‘right’ and your spelling, punctuation, neatness or grammar does not need to adhere to anyone else’s standards.
…Intuitive and spontaneous In a journal you can allow the writing to flow. Writing fast enables you to bypass the rational mind and access layers of subconscious, unconscious and intuitive wisdom. Sometimes the most unexpected nuggets of wisdom or insights arise when you let go and allow your hand to write without consciously controlling it.
…Process not product Journal writing is not intended for an audience and the very process of it is what brings satisfaction and insight. However, you always have the choice to share or redraft your writing or use it as a basis for further creative work, should you wish.
…Therapeutic Writing in this way is by its very nature therapeutic. It allows you to get perspective, clarity and can enable cathartic release. By removing the spiral of thoughts from your mind on to the page, you can gain objectivity and create space to process challenging emotions, experiences and memories.
…Without limits There are no rules in your journal. You can use it in any way that best serves you. You can write lists, flowing prose, poetry. You can communicate with any element of your life or psyche through letters or dialogue. You can doodle or draw images or mindmaps. There are no limits and each time you put pen to paper, something unique will emerge.
…A safe container for whatever is present No matter what mood or moment you are moving through, the journal meets you wherever you are. There are no ‘shoulds’, only an opportunity for you to show up on the page, exactly as you are, warts and all.
NB: If you are processing traumatic experiences and need the holding of a trained professional, journaling can provide complementary support to therapy or counselling.
If you would like to experience the qualities of journaling for yourself and find out how it can support you in your life, come along to Your Write of Passage, a free 90 min journaling workshop, taking place on the 12th December.
Read more and book your free place.
Join JourneySong’s Write to Connect Community, to participate in our monthly journaling circles; receive the latest news on workshops and courses as well as gifts and discounts and inspirational ideas for your own writing.
Photo by Daniel Christie
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