Journaling: A New Adventure

Cheryl Gowin and Dennis Gowin.  Call us at our counseling practice with your feedback, comments, issues, or questions at 434-808-2637.

Have you heard people talking about the benefits of journaling? Have you ever tried journaling? Let us look at the questions you may have about journaling.

What is journaling?

This is not the same as keeping a diary. A diary is, ‘Dear diary, this is what I did today.’  A journal is, ‘This is what I learned or feel today.’  Your journal is not about what you did, it’s about what you are learning, what you are feeling, what you are praying, and what God is saying to you.

Are there benefits to journaling? 

Writing in a journal can help with personal growth and development.  By regularly chronicling your thoughts, you will gain insight into your behaviors and moods.  Journaling can support problem solving and stress reduction.  It can lead to improved self-esteem.

You may find you crystalize your thoughts by the act of writing them down.  Simply journaling your thoughts can help you to understand what you’re feeling and may provide insights into the why of your feelings.  You will find that keeping a journal is a path to help you get to know yourself better.

Why does journaling help with personal growth? 

Writing helps your mind slow down.  Writing your thoughts in a journal helps you to become more aware of what you’re thinking and what’s important to you.

Journaling can help change your perspective.  When you read what you’ve written, it helps you to step back and look at things differently.

Your journal is a safe place to express your thoughts, feelings, anxieties, ideas, and questions about life.  It’s a place where you can and should be totally honest.  If you are honest with yourself, your journal will help you to get to know yourself better.  Keeping a journal leads to self- discovery and this self-discovery can help you identify beliefs that hold you back.

Journaling is an effective, powerful way of venting your feelings.  Once the words are out of your head and on paper, you’ll be able to see what you’re thinking more clearly.  Expressing your thoughts gives them shape and meaning.  As time goes by you’ll begin to see patterns emerging and start to see the bigger picture.

Are there any general rules for journaling?

First, decide what will be the easiest way for you to write.  If you want, you can buy a special bound journal.  Or, just use a spiral notebook or binder with paper.  If you want to type on your laptop or IPad, it is your journal.  There is no right or wrong way to keep a journal.  Feel free to create your journal your way; it doesn’t have to be perfect or done in a particular way.

Next, don’t edit as you write.  Allow your thoughts to flow freely onto the paper.  Just write whatever comes to mind.  This is your journal and you will not be graded on what you write.

Now, focus on your thoughts and feelings.  Don’t know where to start?  Ask yourself questions.  How do I feel?  What questions did my Bible study raise?  What worries me?  What made me happy today?

What should I write in my journal?

This is your journal.  Write about what you think is important.  A spiritual journal entry would be your thoughts about your daily Bible meditations.  A journal is a good place to track what you are thankful for today.  You can record your successes of the day; whether the successes are great or small.

Reflecting on what you’ve written will help you to see things from a different perspective.  Summarizing your journal entries will bring new insights and help you to reach helpful conclusions.  As you begin to see patterns in your thinking and beliefs, ask yourself how you can use what you’re learning about yourself to improve your life.

If you’ve never kept a journal before, why not begin today?  Your journal is your journal.  Write your journal for you.  Be honest with yourself and your journal will become a useful tool on your journey.

“Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel.  Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me.  Deuteronomy 31:19 

Call us with your comments; our phone number is 434-808-2637.