The art of journaling and self-reflection can help you deal with life

You know what you want out of this life, you just can’t seem to get past those hurdles?

Your New Year’s resolutions are the same every year?

You’re going to get fit and healthy?

You’re going to spend more time with your close ones?

You’re going to finally start your own business?

You’re going to combat stress and create healthier habits?

So, why haven’t you?

It’s hard. Sometimes, it seems easier just to skip the resolves, doesn’t it?

The good news. You can get out of this rut right now. It’s easier than you think.

It can start with journaling.

Journaling Can Set You on the Path to Happiness

Science has found that people who journal daily are healthier, and not just mentally. Documenting your feelings and thoughts has exceptional all-round benefits for your health and wellness.

From busting stress and depressions to improving your mood, journaling can teach you so much about yourself and how to cope with life’s major expectations.

Journaling Has Taught Me the Importance of Self-Reflection

I have found writing to be so powerful.

Journaling forces me to crystallize my thoughts into words. In turn, I find I think deeper on topics that are important to me. Often, it’s while journaling that I have powerful realizations that are many solutions to any challenge I face.

I think it’s just amazing what you can achieve when you put things on paper with the expectation of finding a solution.

One of the biggest takeaways I’ve gotten from journaling is the art of self-reflection. Writing things down has helped me get right to the core and stay honest with myself. When I’m brutally honest with myself, I get to the point where I can see the next level of thought and then I find solutions.

In self-reflection, I become self-aware.

It just feels so great to clear my inner peace, too. I spend enough time working out to keep in shape and clear my head, so it makes sense to do the same for my spirit and mind, and journaling has been key to my journey of self-reflection and really getting to know myself.

Journaling Keeps Me Accountable

If I write something down, it feels like a higher level of commitment to myself.

Let’s face it, we could all do with a kick now and then to get back on track.

So, I use my journal as a way of self-coaching. I put things down on paper to put a commitment on myself. It helps me to literally lead myself, be it towards goals, getting through to-do lists, or just keeping up with the pace of life. It’s the perfect push just when I need it.

Get Started with Your Journal

Starting a journal can seem a little daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

One of the most important rules when writing pretty much anything is to know your audience. You might be an audience of one for your journaling adventure, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider you.

In other words, what do you want to learn about yourself through journaling?

The whole idea should be to keep a journal as a way of creating self-awareness and getting to know yourself on a much deeper level than you already do.

It’s the perfect opportunity to write down your subconscious feelings that you may otherwise overlook.

• Carefully monitor an aspect of your life that you want to focus on
• Monitor your most positive and negative feelings every day and write them down
• Choose how you want to journal – on an app, on your laptop, or even pen and paper
• Schedule time every day to journal your thoughts and feelings

“When what you say, think and do are in harmony, you’re happy.” -Gandhi

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