The great thing about journaling is that you can write down anything you want. Your journaling book is for your personal use only, nothing you write down will be judged or used against you. This can be a private and safe space where you can record your inner thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Writing it down helps us unload the mental and emotional burdens and from there we can reflect more clearly on them.
We try so hard to hide everything we’re really feeling from those who probably need to know our true feelings the most. People try to bottle up their emotions, as if it’s somehow wrong to have natural reactions to life.
Colleen Hoover
6 Prompts to Get You Started If You Are New to Journaling:
1. Journaling emotions before bed might help you sleep better
It has been said that people living with stress, anxiety, and depression make it harder for them to get to sleep than any sort of physical discomfort or pain. Since insomnia and overthinking tend to go hand in hand why not release all of those racing thoughts out of your mental space?
2. How have you been feeling, what emotions tend to have the strongest hold on you lately?
Has there been something heavy on your heart? Don’t think just start writing let the pen do the heavy lifting. Journaling is not about being perfect, you don’t need neat handwriting or even correct grammar and punctuation. Just write!
3. What memories do you have that are attached to these feelings?
Memories can trigger intense emotions. Sometimes when we get caught up in a memory it can almost feel like we are reliving that pain all over again.
Journal down what emotional memories you have trouble letting go of, what parts are most the most intense?
4. If you could do things differently the next time, what would it be, and why?
Reflecting on this question helps you gain wisdom and experience from your past. Although we can’t change the past we can always use our experiences to help us grow.
5. What can I do for myself to improve my emotional wellbeing and happiness?
Find self-care measures to practice when you aren’t feeling your best. We all have good days and bad days. On the bad days, we must spend extra care and attention to give ourselves more TLC.
6. If a close friend or family came to you with the exact situation, what advice would you give them?
We give our others great advice but when it comes to us we get stuck. Giving yourself advice in the form of ‘’what would I tell them …’’ takes the edge off of the intensity and helps you think with a clearer mind.
