Lifestyle blog 3: My best journal-ing methods

Hi, my Amazing Readers, 

I want to talk about journaling because it is something that is beneficial for your mental and emotional health. Journaling, I think, gets underestimated as a tool to use for helping to process through stressful situations. I wanted to address some ways to use journaling effectively to relax and reflect on yourself as a person as well as how to achieve your goals. There is no right way of journaling or wrong way for that matter. I have one friend who uses her journal to make just lists: lists of books she wants to read, lists of hobbies she wants to try, etc. She says that by making lists, she feels more control over her current situations, and more organized. This is just one of the many ways to use journaling to help process through stress. So let's talk about the best journaling methods for you! 

1. Sometimes just describing your day is enough

    If you have trouble thinking about what to journal about, start with what has recently happened to you. What did you experience throughout your day? Who did you talk to? Sometimes just describing your day can help you analyze your actions and think about how you can react to stressful situations better. This will also help you to write even if you think you have nothing to say. Describing a stressful day to your journal can also act as a venting session, and actually relieve stress. 

2. Be honest in your thoughts, even if they make you uncomfortable.     

    Sometimes we can get caught up in making our journals sound and look perfect, for when we look back on them. But using your journal as a soundboard for your honest thoughts and confessions can be really helpful. If you have a secret you know your friend asked you to keep but are dying to tell someone, your journal is a safe place to share that without being hurtful to your friend. Think of your journal as a safe place to write whatever feelings and thoughts you have. Believe me, you'll begin to release stress a lot easier once you're honest with yourself. 

3. There's no right way to format your journal, but at least having it as a conversation or letter is a good format to start 

    This is pretty self-explanatory, but you can format your journal however you like. If you're confused about how to format your journal, other than as a stream-of-consciousness, then formatting it as a letter or a conversation allows you to decide what to write about and how to write about it. This can help if you tend to get off-topic or wander in your thoughts and want more of a focused journaling session. 

I hope those tips help you in your journey of self-reflection and growth. Let me know if you have any tips for journaling and what you prefer! 

Until next time! 

Katie