Back to Basics
Restablishing your journaling ritual
Welcome to this weeks’ Sunday WORD:ship session
This is the perfect 5 minute read for those of you who’ve ever lost interest in keeping a regular journaling habit.
It’s ok. It happens to the best of us.
Are you ready to lace up your journaling shoes and hit the pavement of self-discovery once again?
Just like restarting a running routine after a hiatus, getting back into journaling can feel like a daunting task. Perhaps you’ve tried journaling before but struggled to maintain a consistent practice.
But fear not, because just like running, the key is to start slowly, set achievable goals and gradually build momentum.
One of my favourite writing mentors Natalie Goldberg says “Writing is like running - training is essential. You have to show up every day and put in the miles even when it’s hard or you don’t feel like it” Goldberg stresses the value of showing up on the page every day, regardless of whether inspiration strikes and putting in the work to hone one’s writing and journaling abilities is key.
I wholeheartedly agree with Natalie, that both running and journaling require mental discipline to push through moments of fatigue, self-doubt and discomfort. There are times when journaling feels like a struggle, but I promise you that with a little perserverance it will become easier. If you can develop a mindset of resilience and determination, you will be able to overcome your journaling obstacles and continue making progress with this brilliant wellbeing practice.
It’s a case of pushing through your comfort zone. I know all about the mental and emotional pain. I’ve wrestled with the blank pages for years. But I ‘kept on keeping on’ with my daily journaling ritual. I’ve been journaling non stop on a daily bases for over 1070 days. Yes I am counting. I get a kick out of it. And I know one things for certain, I will continue to journal every single day for as long as I am able to, because now journaling is a non-negotiable habit, just like brushing my teeth. It’s quite simple really, I don’t ever want to end up with dentures, and I certainly don’t want to suffer from any mental health diseases later on in life.
“You need to keep your hand moving, write anything that comes to mind, don’t stop to judge or analyse" Natalie Goldberg
If you approach journaling with the same mindset and commitment as a runner does when training for a race, I guarantee that you will unlock your full potential and go on to achieve your wellbeing goals.
Here are some therapeutic journaling prompts to help you restart your journaling practice. If you ever get stuck and need a little guidance, please don’t hesitate to connect with me. I love creating bespoke journaling prompts for others.
1. Reflect on past attempts - take a moment to journal about your previous experiences with journaling. What made it challenging to maintain a consistent practice? What obstacles did you encounter? How did you feel during those times?
2. Set realistic goals - write down three achievable journaling goals for the week ahead. Focus on specific actions you can take, such as journaling for five minutes each morning or completing one journaling prompt per day.
3. Identify motivations - explore the reasons why you want to restart your journaling practice. What benefits do you hope to gain from journaling regularly? How do you envision journaling enhancing your life?
4. Start small - begin with a simple journaling exercise, such as writing about your thoughts and feelings for 3-5 minutes each day. Remember, consistency is key, even if it’s just a few minutes each day. Failing that try and get just one word a day down and try this for the next 30 days.
5. Celebrate progress - acknowledge and celebrate your journaling achievements, no matter how small. Whether it’s completing a week of consistent journaling or discovering a new insight about yourself, take pride in your progress. And try and enjoy the journey.
I urge you to seize this Sunday as an opportunity to embark on your journaling journey. Through consistent practice and a willingness to explore the depths of your inner world, I guarantee, you’ll discover the profound benefits that therapeutic journaling has to offer. I hope that journaling will enrich your life, as much as it has done mine, in ways I never would have imagined.
Until the next time
Take care and stay safe xxx
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