Writing regularly to empty your head by having a private, personal conversation on paper (or electronically) helps improve self-awareness and overcome emotional obstacles. For me, the outcome of this practise has most definitely enhanced my wellbeing.
Writing about how you feel with purpose
Although I’d heard of journalling, I’d never noted my thoughts or feelings. I guess I didn’t have the inclination or desire to get to know myself better through writing. It’s possible that many of us don’t encounter this disposition until we reach that inevitable point where we question what life is all about – that point may be at a certain age, reaching a milestone or encountering emotional turmoil.
Diary or journal?
Thinking back, albeit patchy, I’ve kept a diary as a record of events experienced. Most evenings when I worked aboard Disney Cruise Line, you’d find me consulting my trusty Winnie the Pooh annual diary, logging the day’s escapades: the tips received, parties raved, trials and tribulations of a massage therapist in a five-star spa…
Writing how I felt about the day’s happenings was never revealed on my pages. I never contemplated emotions or moods or described how the interactions with people, destinations visited, or events experienced made me feel.
Back then, I didn’t know writing about feelings was a thing.
I also had zero knowledge about freewriting and its benefits in helping empty your head and make sense of thoughts, feelings and emotions. Nor did I understand the differences between expressive and reflective writing and how each method can help you to solve icky issues and shine a light on better ways to improve many areas of life.
But then, you don’t know what you don’t know.
So, what is journalling?
According to the BBC, journalling is simple: ‘keeping a log of thoughts and feelings surrounding the events of your life’.
Logging thoughts and feelings inside a journal’s (usually) private pages use many techniques, but the primary purpose is to help you reflect on your internalisation of external experiences.
I first discovered ‘proper’ journalling after the initial lockdown period forced by the Covid-19 pandemic. It might be a little farfetched to confess that it’s been life-changing, but it has significantly improved my life and mindset.
What are the benefits of journalling?
Reflecting on how you feel about specific incidents, experiences, and people increases self-awareness and the awareness of others.
Having a safe, private space to mind-dump thoughts and feelings is like having a personal agony aunt and life coach in one place. A journal offers a brilliant way to build a relationship with yourself by spending time considering your emotions and reactions. Over time the practise builds emotional intelligence, confidence and resilience.
In turn, the newfound knowledge from the lessons learnt through journalling can catapult you into living a more fulfilling and enhanced life.
How to get to know yourself better through writing for wellbeing
My writing for wellbeing journey began by expressing gratitude every evening. I scribbled my thanks in a quaint journal gifted by Lovebrain. I received the journal after enrolling in Lovebrain’s mind optimisation training and cognitive performance boosting programme – highly recommended, by the way 👏
The act was simple: write down ten things I was grateful for that day.
The more I recorded my daily gratitude, the more I noticed tangible assets taking a backseat. My attention moved away from material possessions and focussed on experiences and the things I took for granted, such as breathing, a beautiful sunset, fresh air, listening to the morning birdsong or an evening cuddle from my partner.
Being mindful of the things, people, places and processes I was grateful for enabled me to become more present with my thoughts and feelings. I enjoyed life more and saw the positive in most situations.
Gratitude journalling also highlighted the emotional and physical responses to events unfolding around me. I could think more deeply about the triggers for certain emotions and reactions, which gave me valuable insight into avoiding situations and people that weren’t serving me well. To even spot them before they happened.
A few months later, I pursued coaching support emphasising life fulfilment and spirituality. I became even more aware of how my behaviours and the behaviour of others impacted my thoughts, feelings and subsequent reactions. I used this awareness to write freely about challenging and emotionally charged situations.
Gratitude journalling turned into reflective journalling and, therefore, therapeutic writing. I was hooked!
Journalling helped me work through problems and come up with workable solutions. It empowers me to feel more in control and make better work, relationships and life choices. Journal writing has helped me spot self-limiting beliefs and when they caused (or still sometimes cause) moments of self-sabotage.
It was truly enlightening. Journal writing supports positive wellbeing and, through practise, creates a better way of living.
How to start writing for your wellbeing
The best advice is simply to start writing.
- Purchase a journal with lined or blank pages. I prefer blank pages because it feels less structured and I often include drawings in my musings.
- Take your time when choosing a journal and find one that is attractive or ignites curiosity – you’ll be more inclined to use it if you’ve dedicated time and care instead of dusting off an old notebook from the back of the cupboard.
- There’s no right or wrong time of day to journal. Choose a time that works for you by trying out different options.
- There’s no best technique, so seek journal prompts to help you get started.
- Aim to write for at least ten minutes every day but avoid beating yourself up if you miss days – the practise should make you feel better, not worse.
- Write an overview of your day and pay attention to the events that impacted your mood positively and negatively.
- Freewrite to empty your head without worrying about spelling or grammar.
- Reflect on what you’ve written and ask questions about how, what, when, where and who.
- Avoid asking ‘why’ because the question is often too ‘open’. You don’t have to understand why, but rather learn to acknowledge, accept and find ways to move on.
After reading this article, I’d love to hear your thoughts about journalling and whether you keep a journal or are curious about starting one.