The Magic of Journaling

Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.

~ Christina Baldwin

When we write, something opens up in us. Our hearts and minds open. We can soften a lot of the discomforts in our life, as well as celebrate our joys by writing. Our feelings, thoughts, longings, desires can all come pouring out. As well as the hurt, anger and frustrations of life. Journaling is one of the easiest forms of self-discovery and self-expression. All it takes is a blank piece of paper and a good pen. Better yet, a really nice journal with a meaningful, feel-good cover. Filled with paper that has a perfect weight and a gentle texture. Even a classic spiral notebook. Or maybe the fancy electronic app. Or just a word processer. Perhaps and old-fashioned typewriter. Lots of choices!!

Who journals? What is journaling? Why do we journal? How do we journal? Big questions for someone embarking on the practice of journaling. And good questions for the seasoned journal keeper to reflect on. Anyone can journal. You don’t need to be a published author, nor do you need to be perfect with all the comma and semicolon rules – I still don’t understand all of them! To journal is the desire to bring your truth out and let it empower you. To discover the deeper you. To connect with your inner self, your soul, your spirit. To hold yourself accountable to your goals and inner most desires. To track how well you are living your best life. To honor and listen to your wisest self.

I have been journaling for many years, in many different ways. Different journals and journal types. Different mediums. I tend to play around with all types, but one thing stays constant: I benefit greatly from journaling! And I think you would too 😊.

What is journaling? Journaling is a very personal experience. It encompasses a range of elements, all dependent on each person’s objective and desired benefits. Do you want to record a memoir of your life? Do you want to solve a particular problem? Do you need to vent? Do you want to remind yourself of all of the wonderful things in your life that bring you peace, happiness and gratefulness? Do you want to track the good and maybe not so good aspects of your life, and how you are improving? Are you wanting to transform some old way of thinking that is not serving you anymore? Do you want an avenue to let all your feelings out? Do you want to reflect on past experiences, and dream about future ones? Journaling can do all of these things, and much more.

Why do we journal? There are a host of benefits to journaling. In addition to answering those questions above, journaling raises our self-awareness. It can make us more understanding and compassionate, of ourselves and others. It can begin to silence that inner critic we all have. It can boost our creativity. It supports healing. It leads us toward transformation and growth – if we let it. Journaling can help point out what is working and where you might need a tiny shift to get to your desired outcome. Journaling also holds us accountable. When we re-read our journals, it helps us to notice patterns and recurring themes. These are great items to ponder as you continue on life’s Zen Journey. You might surprise yourself with your insights and discoveries from journaling!

How do we journal? Again, the choices are so varied. You can experiment along the way to find what feels best for you. You can free form and write what is most important to you at that moment. You can use guided journals to prompt your musings. You can have different journals for different topics. I personally have a number of journals I use. I have my everyday ‘go to’ guided journal that I check in with every morning and evening to track my current feelings and my own Zen Journey of inner peace and healthy habits (more about this later!). I have a journal where I release occasional brain dumps of all the bigger projects and goals I have rattling around in my head. Another journal is for my writing practice where I keep a collection of writing prompts and scribble away. And finally, a journal for everything else. This journal is where I do my deeper self-discovery and transformation. I ask questions like who am I? Why am I this way? What am I after? Where do I want to be? Who do I want to be? And whatever else strikes me as important and meaningful at the time. Often times, it helps to ask the same question(s) everyday as a simple tool for building a habit or routine and to bring forth insight. How am I feeling? What is my intention for today? What am I grateful for? Come up with your own repeating questions to start each day.

I personally like the pen and paper mode, but have dabbled in electronic ones as well. I do love the Day One app to keep what I call ‘yearbooks’ of my life. It becomes akin to a digital yearly photo scrapbook. I’ll add photos and descriptions of the important, fun and memorable things that happen as I journey through life. They are easy to add thru your phone on the fly as you take a picture or have a quick thought to enter. On Sundays I try to review past pictures for the week and add them with descriptions to the app. It’s fun to spend a rainy afternoon reminiscing over these entries as they bring a smile to my face and remind me of the joy all around me. Of course there are many photos and entries of Caylee the Zen Puppy!!

It is important to be yourself in any journaling practice. Let your feelings come out first and foremost. Write about why you are feeling the way you are, without any judgement, censoring or critiquing. Just be you. Connect to your heart and listen. Connect to your intuition and listen. Write what is meaningful to you. Write about your core values, your goals, your silly thoughts and your frightening ones too. Write about your day and all the ups and downs. Brag about your successes! Focus on building your joy and happiness. Reflect on how you can do better the next time. Be honest with yourself. Be creative. Throw in some artwork or doodles. Have fun!

A journaling practice can range from heartwarming and loving, to scary vulnerability issues. All of this is ultimately transforming. You will want to celebrate and relive all of the great stuff so you can experience more. As you come across the difficult stuff, you begin to get more comfortable with the vulnerability, fears, worries, anxieties and troubles that confront us all. It becomes easier to face the unpleasantness of life and receive the wise counsel of your own heart through your journaling.

Many times when I am writing about a particularly vulnerable issue, it helps to have my best friend write back to me. I like to write the words that I want to hear from someone – and keep re-reading them! A journal can even become your own therapist and help you work out all the moments of life that need tended to. Always remember to have compassion and love for yourself as you write. It’s perfectly fine to vent, to be sorry for yourself, to be mad, etc. – but please be mindful of bringing in a different way of thinking to try to turn things around, or see the brighter, better side. Maybe on the next day at least!

There really is magic in journaling. You get to know yourself better. You can find your voice. You can give yourself permission to be you. You can write your own story. You can heal. You can track your progress. You can be creative and have fun. Experiment with the different ways and how’s of journaling to find the method that works best for you. Make journaling an event, a sacred time. Keep your journal handy and develop a good routine of spending time with it. I know my journaling is improved when I dive in right after a meditation. Grab a coffee or your favorite tea as you journal in the morning. Make it special with some soothing music in the background while you settle into your favorite sanctuary space. Or with a nighttime treat before you snuggle into bed. As your routine strengthens, so will your confidence and benefits of journaling.

I mentioned above about my ‘go to’ everyday journal. I have spent the last two years, creating, devising and using a journal to guide me - my 'Zen Journey Roadmap, A Daily Guided Journal for Inner Peace and Healthy Habits'. I am extremely proud of it, and thought I could publish it for others to enjoy as well! I only have a few more ends to tie up before it is available on my website, but it should be ready very soon. This baby encompasses a lot of Zen, Mind, Body and Spirit basics, along with a quarterly goal setting practice. It is a guided journal, but I have left a lot of room for individual creativity and customization. It would be ideal for anyone starting a journaling practice, or for those who have been journaling for years that may want structure to easily track their daily feelings and healthy habits. You can see a quick description of it on my Creations page here. I hope you will keep this in mind as you think of new ways to continue on your own Zen journey, and as gifts for your loved ones and friends.

How do you want to journal? What are the benefits of journaling you would like to foster?

P.S. If you haven't already signed up for my mailing list, please do so below! Then you will receive my new blog postings directly to your inbox, and you will be notified when the Zen Journey Roadmap is available for purchase! I am so grateful and love it when you share any of my info with your friends, thank you in advance 💜.