Judgement-Free Journaling

Journaling is a great self-care exercise that allows us to put negative thoughts down on paper instead of bottling them up in our mind and body. Write down whatever comes to mind and let those pesky negative thoughts go!

Journaling offers relief

Did you know that the simple act of journaling can help you manage anxiety, reduce stress, and cope with depression? Journaling actually helps control your symptoms and improve your mood by:

• Helping you prioritize problems, fears, and concerns.
• Tracking any symptoms day-to-day so that you can recognize triggers and learn ways to better control them.
• Providing an opportunity for positive self-talk and identifying negative thoughts and behaviors.
  

What should I write about?

Here are some quick tips to help get you started:

1. Start writing about where you are in your life at this moment. Describe your living situation, your work, and your relationships. Are you right where you want to be?
2. For five to ten minutes just start writing in a “stream of consciousness.” Don’t edit your thoughts or feelings and don’t correct your grammar. Don’t censor your thoughts.
3. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by maintaining a daily list of things you appreciate, including uplifting quotes. When you feel down you can read through it for a boost of gratitude and happiness.
4. Maintain a log of successes. Begin by writing the big ones you remember then regularly jot down small successes that occur during the week. As you pay attention, your list will grow and inspire you.
5. Make a playlist of your favorite songs. Write about the moods they evoke. When you hear a song that triggers a strong memory, write down how you feel and explore that time and space of your life.
6. If there’s something you are struggling with or an event that’s disturbing you, write about it in the third person. This will give you distance and provide a new perspective. Write down what you learned about yourself. Develop your intuition.
7. Write down questions or concerns then take a deep breath and listen for a response from your Higher Self. Let yourself write automatically. If you don’t get an answer right away, stay open throughout the day. It will come to you.
   

Write your cares away

Keeping a journal helps you establish order when your world feels like it’s in chaos. It helps you get to know yourself by revealing your innermost fears, thoughts, and feelings. Look at your writing time as personal relaxation time, a time when you de-stress and wind down. Look forward to your journaling time, and know that you're doing something good for your mind and body.