One of the least utilised self-help options is Journaling. Always one to try therapeutic tools learned in counselling courses. I decided I would have a go to see what journaling had to offer, and if it was a suitable option to suggest to clients. At first it felt unnatural to jot down my unfiltered thoughts, strange almost. I felt uncomfortable and nervous about what I had written and what it may suggest about my own mental health.
Jumping in with both feet, I became a brave and willing victim for the sake of others. The task was tried, and I was pleasantly surprised. I also learned more by taking part, whilst looking at this option from another perspective.
It is an excellent option for those of us wanting to write a book or process our individual feelings about our everyday lives. It can help us keep track of a worrying situation, that often lingers in our thoughts. For example, are we studying the correct course for us? Or is this new friendship healthy for us to continue?
Journaling has multiple healing properties, by writing down what has happened in a past hurtful experience, we can finally let go and make peace with what occurred. In turn, this can boost our mood as we reduce personal stress. We can find clarity about difficult situations. For some, this is a way to deal with the loss of a loved one, or any self-doubt about a relationship.
Journaling can release tension about an interaction with a work colleague, or a family member. We all have those moments when a situation constantly repeats itself, it can go around in a confusing mind loop that seems to never stop.
As a regular dreamer of the weird and wonderful. I found it beneficial to keep a journal ready for any thoughts that naturally came forward first thing in the morning. I did this by using the notes section on my mobile phone. A very secure and private option to journal. There were some strange and funny memories, they often did not connect in any way. But when written down, this allowed me to further develop my dream analysis work. It is still a topic that I have learned so much about and still gaining experience in.
Through journaling, I discovered some research about many people having similar dreams during shared difficult life experiences e.g., the Pandemic.
Journaling can help us increase our knowledge as demonstrated above, alongside getting to know ourselves better and encourages a deeper understanding about how others react and feel. Normally we reflect on what has been written, which can aid our relationships with others.
We can become more focussed to fulfil our goals, if jotted down, it can improve our memory whilst reminding us of what we want to achieve. By using different coloured pens, we can improve our brain functions by utilising words, statements or visuals when learning new material.
Finally, journaling can be a self-care choice. By taking ten minutes out of your day, you can be free to write down any funny moments or key notes about a decision you are due to make. Always one to enjoy a joke, journaling the best ones can help me remember the punchline whilst not giving it away during telling it 😊