Writing Through Doubt
How journaling strengthens self-belief, confidence and clarity
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Dear Friend
Happy Monday! Never mind the rain, how are you feeling?
How is your confidence these days? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had moments where confidence feels like it’s been whittled down to a thread. For me, it’s been the endless waves of self-doubt around writing my book “Journal with Ease”, and trying to find my writing mojo after a much needed holiday. I was fine before I spent a week in sunny Greece, but now it seems my creative engine is all out of writing juice. Meh!
What I find so strange is how doing something I love - something that should feel like home - can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But what’s helped me over the years, and especially this month, is my daily journaling ritual. I know, I know for someone who teaches journaling and champions it as a tool for healing, you’d think I’d have this all figured out. Spoiler: I don’t. But I’m learning (and relearning) that journaling isn’t just a way to get my words on a page - it’s a powerful tool for building confidence and strengthening self-belief.
Let me take you ‘behind the scenes’ of my own process, and show you how journaling has become my anchor when doubts about my book and my lack of ability starts to creep in. Maybe, just maybe, what’s working for me will work for you too.
At its core, journaling is about self-reflection. When you sit down with a blank page with your thoughts, you’re forced to confront not just your worries and fears, but also your strengths and wins, no matter how small. Writing about your experiences can help you notice patterns, and guess what? Confidence is a pattern too. The more we recognise our ability to overcome challenges, the more confident we become. Journaling gives us a safe space to work through the insecurities that try to trip us up.
For me, journaling daily has been a lifeline, especially as I wrestle with doubts about writing my book. “Who am I to write this?” “Will anyone actually care?” these are the questions that spiral in my mind, over and over. But when I journal, I can untangle those fears. I remind myself why I started this journey in the first place - to connect, to help heal, and to create something meaningful, for me and quite possibly a few others like you.
Do you know what? Journaling helps me sift through the noise and there is a lot of noise in my head these days. It helps me reconnect with my core purpose, which, in turn, strengthens my belief that I’m capable of seeing this through.
Here are a few journaling tips to help strengthen your self-belief:
Write without judgement - the most freeing thing about journaling is that no one’s going to read it but you. If you struggle to believe this, I have a couple of solutions for you, send me a DM and I’ll tell you all about it. Whatever you journal about does not need to be pretty or published. It’s a space where you can spill your guts out onto the page. Throw down all your fears, frustrations and uncertainties without worrying what others think. Dare you to Rage on a Page!
Reflect on your achievements - sometimes we’re so caught up in what’s not working that we forget to celebrate the wins. You can use your journal to look back on the moments when you were proud of yourself - whether it was completing a project, navigating a difficult conversation, or simply getting through a tough day. When you write these things down, you remind yourself of your capabilities.
Challenge negative thoughts - when self-doubt shows up (and it will), use your journal to challenge those thoughts. Write down, even in a list format, the doubts that are swirling around in your mind and then respond to them. For example, if you’re telling yourself, “I’m not good enough to do this”, counter it with, “Here are three reasons I am…” It’s a great sentence stem that I use quite often. It will help separate fact from fear.
Set small achievable goals - confidence builds with each small step we take towards are goals and aspirations. Use your journal to set micro goals for yourself. These can be tiny - writing one word, one day at a time for the next 21 days, and celebrate your progress when you’ve committed to writing in your journal consistently for three weeks.
Use affirmations - yes I know this can sometimes be a little woo-woo. But not if they encourage a more positive mindset. Affirmations can be a little awkward to begin with, but trust me, they do work. Write down a few positive statements about yourself that you can return to when self-doubt starts knocking at your door. Phrases like, “I am capable,” or “I trust myself to learn and grow” can start to shift your perspective on life.
Writing is no small feat. It’s one of those dreams that can feel impossible when you’re sitting at the base of the mountain, staring up at how much there is to do. Add in the typical doubts, imposter syndrome, and (in my case) feeling like a right sloth because I’ve lost my writing mojo, and you’ve got a recipe for procrastination or even paralysis. But journaling has been my way through. When I feel overwhelmed, I try and break things down in my journal. I remind myself about why I originally started. I write about the women I hope to reach, the emotions I want to help them channel and the transformation I believe this project can offer. Writing those thoughts down brings me back to my “why”, and the clarity has a way of reigniting my confidence. Is my book writing confidence back? Not yet. But that’s ok. Journaling reminds me that self-belief is a journey, not a destination, and every time I show up on the page, I’m surely taking a step in the right direction.
Are you in the journaling mood right now?
If so, please help yourself to these therapeutic journaling prompts…
What three things that you’ve accomplished recently are you proud of? How did these moments make you feel?
Write about a time when you overcame self-doubt. What helped you push through, and what did you learn about yourself at the time?
What negative thoughts are holding you back right now? Write a counterargument to each one, focusing on your strengths.
Reflect on a time when you felt truly confident. What were you doing, and what thoughts or beliefs helped you feel that way?
Imagine you’ve already achieved the thing you’re doubting yourself about. How do you feel in that future version of yourself?
Enjoy!
Until the next time, take care and stay safe xx
Btw - I realise that I’ve been spelling the word journaling with one ‘l’ and it’s starting to bother me. The question is, should I spell it journaling the American way or journalling the British way??
What’s On with EASE
Digital Detox Weekend Retreat - set in a gorgeous beach house near Pembrokeshire. Join me to learn how to take back control on the amount of time you spend on your device, find new ways to entertain yourself, embrace more positive daily activities and generally feel more upbeat and happier. Guaranteed… coastal walks, cold water therapy, feasting on local produce, therapeutic journaling workshops, reading, writing and plenty of resting! ONLY 1 SPACE LEFT. 18th-20th October 2024.
Doing Hard Things with ease & Stacey Heale. After such a magical day in June, Stacey is back with another EPIC retreat. Ooh and we are gifting a bursary place for one lucky guest. Friday 8th November.
Creative Unblocking Weekend Retreat with ease & Emma Gannon - SOLD OUT - 16th-18th November 2024. Join our waiting list in case we have a last minute cancelation and to receive latest news about our 2025 retreats with Emma Gannon.
Rage on a Page - you’re very welcome to join the next series of my therapeutic journaling program. I’m looking to work with 8 women for the November class.