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The Master Journaler Gives Many, Many Journaling Tips

Some additional information in one line
Mari L. McCarthy September 23, 2009

This article originally appeared in DIVAPRENEUR last week.

LETTERS TO MYSELF by Steph Jordan

You may have noticed lately that Journaling has made a big comeback. Not that it went any where, just that many people hadn’t recognized the importance and healing properties of Journaling. Keeping a Journal is like writing Letters to yourself. Each entry is a outpouring of thoughts and feelings. I’ve created Journals for years and promoted their usage because I know firsthand what benefits Journaling can bring.

As a young Diva in the making, life on the streets of L.A. was hard, even cruel sometimes. There were many times when I had no one to talk to or to share things with that were life altering. Having a Journal (a Diary back then) was almost a life saver for me. Although I admit my first Diary got me in a whole lot of trouble.

Back then, people didn’t want to hear the truth from a kid LOL. (I had it bad even back then LOL). I was able to get stuff out of my head and onto the paper, creating space for more stuff LOL. Seriously, I think it’s a way for you to get to know you better. Sometimes you may jot something down in your Journal and forget about it, finding it at a later date when the moment has passed gives you a whole new outlook on it. Learning more about yourself is always a good thing.

There are many other reasons to Journal. Here is my 10 Smooth Reasons to Journal. I’ve used this list for many years and shared it with many people.

10 SMOOTH REASONS TO JOURNAL
By Stephanie Jordan

1. It’s Healing (Mind and Spirit)

Sometimes when things are overwhelming or we have a lot going on we tend to internalize. Journaling helps you release thoughts that hinder from your mind.  Once you have brought them out you can visualize them and you can deal with them immediately or realize that they are really not as much of an issue as you think they are.
I sometimes suggest writing out each issue that is consuming your thoughts first. Then going back a little later and writing out ideas on how you can deal with them reasonably and even quickly, if they in fact need to be dealt with!

2.  It’s Educational (Mind)

You can use your Journal to document things you learn along the Journey through life about yourself and about the things around you.  It can be a source for you to return to time and time again for information.

3.  It’s Healing (Self Outlook)

Did you over react today when someone said something you didn’t like, or someone cut you off on the road. Did you feel hurt when someone criticized or maybe you were overwhelmed when someone encroached on your personal space. Write it down.
Now write down what you did right before this incident and right after. Get it? Sometimes without thinking about it, we let little things that happen effect us and we bring them out unknowingly when emotions are high. Once in a while keeping track helps to figure out why we do what we do, and then recognize it in the future.

4.   It’s a way to keep record of your life.


Do you remember the day you realized you were grown? Do you remember exactly where you were when you heard some really good news or how it affected you? Maybe a conversation with your kids you’d like to remind them of w
hen they have kids of their own?

5.  It’s Healing (Can improve your outlook on life)

Reminding ourselves of good things that happen in life, in our own lives or the lives of those around us can really go a long way when we are feeling in a rut or that our Journey is stalled. If you believe everything happen
s for a reason, keeping a Journal of the things that happen in life can sometimes give you direction when you seek answers.

6.  You can learn so much about the choices you make and how you deal with them.

Ever wonder why you have bad relationships, over and over again. Or why you keep ending up in dead in jobs or any other repetitive actions.
Looking back over Journals you’ve written in the past can sometimes show patterns that were repeated when you didn’t realize it. It can explain why by showing you what things you did in those situations, how you handled them and how you resolved them.

7.  It’s Healing (Forgive and Forget)

Sometimes to heal we need to forgive and forget. And sometimes, we need to say “I’m sorry!”  Keeping track of who we are and what we do can shed light and teach humility when we don’t realize that we need to take that path.

8.  You can learn about self defeating habits and how to stop them.

This is no joke!  I wrote about twenty or more times in a one year period about the wonderful cakes and desserts I’d made.  I was single.  I ate those desserts!  Need I say more!  Well, as I guiltily snacked on a bowl of peach cobbler while I read back over that Journal I realized that I was doing some serious damage in the kitchen! I was doing way too much!!

9.  You can learn about your strengths… and weaknesses.
Art is a strong point for me.  Staying organized is not! Hmmm, It’s never been. Thanks Journal! Thanks!

10.  YOU LOVE YOU!!!
And by Journaling you can find out just how much and why it’s a good thing!  It’s a damn good thing!
 
Other types of Journals that are great to keep:

Attitude Journal – Every day write exactly how you feel in the morning and at night before you go to bed. Notice a pattern?

Gratitude Journal – Keep a Journal noting all the things that you’re thankful for. Each day note something good that happens in your life. You’ll be surprised to find after a few days of keeping this that something good does actually happen on a regular basis. It could be a few words, unexpected call, visits, etc.

Inspiration Journal – Write down things that inspire you every day. Do you feel like dancing every time you hear music? Want to sing every time you see sunshine? Whatever it is that inspires you, write it down.

My Dreams Journal – Since most of us tend to forget our dreams shortly after waking,
keep a Journal dedicated soley to your dreams next to your bed. Immediately jot down what you remember. This actually works and even if you go back to sleep when you wake up again you will be able to recall the dream because you noted some of your memories while they were fresh.

Relationship Journal
– Write about your relationship(s). What’s good about it. What needs work. Special notes, milestones, etc.

Life Journey – This you can do for your kids as well if you have them. Keep track of special things they say or do, happenings, grades etc. This is a wonderful thing to hand a child once they have grown up.

Dreams – What is it your dream about making happen in your life? What moves you in that direction? Write down your dream and everyday write something about it. Maybe you got good advice, or met someone who can help you. Whatever the case, write it down. Wouldn’t it be nice to look back after you’ve achieved your Dream and see who you were and how you did it?

These are only samples. You can keep a Journal for just about anything you desire. I’ve created Cooking Journals, Family Journals, Medical Journals, Photo Journals. The list goes on.

Use your Journal as a learning tool. Learning more about yourself is always a positive thing. If you find out some good stuff, work with that. If you find out some not so good stuff (you got to be honest with your Journal) this gives you a source of information to use in the healing process.
 
TIP:  Cut out small pictures of people or places and attach to the page. This way you can always have a visual for your memory.
To discuss more about Journaling or find out about more about my Journals write me.
As always, I love your comments.

Write on. Life is good!
Steph Jordan
www.diviacity.blogspot.com
diviacity@diviacity.com
Diviacity makes gorgeous, gorgeous journals!

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