During and after that episode, I felt vulnerable.
My world was shaken.
I felt like someone could have put their hand on my head and it would have crumbled to dust.
pink book opened and pink pencil on a blue and green background
I would carry out the same everyday tasks as I usually did, yet I felt very afraid.
I was afraid of being thrown into another panic spiral.
I was afraid of how my mind could make me feel.
Paige Hart
There are plenty of otherways to improve your mental health.)
When I started my journaling practice, I spent a lot of time convincing myself I was okay.
I can close my eyes without the fear of the thoughts waiting under the surface.
Whenever I talk about journaling, people ask me how they can incorporate it into their daily lives.
Here are a few methods Ive found that have helped me keep a consistent and healthy journaling practice.
Make a regular habit out of it.
you could really feel the benefits of journaling when you create a regular habit.
My personal practice involves journaling every morning and evening.
I find that by starting my day this way, Im able to go forward from a connected place.
Im able to check in with my values and make decisions that reflect them throughout my day accordingly.
I always end my days with journaling too.
It offers up an opportunity to check in and reflect on how I showed up throughout my day.
Did I live in the way that I wanted to show up in the world?
Did I contribute to the world in the way I wanted to contribute?
By journaling each night, Im able to add a dose of reflection and even gratitude.
Keep your journal close by.
While my regular practice involves journaling day and night, I also turn to my journal throughout the day.
For this reason, I find it best to keep it close by.
Turn to your journal in moments of need.
I love being able to reach for my journal in times of need.
I recently got in a huge fight over the phone.
I was sitting on the couch with my dogs and partner beside me.
I threw my phone down and angrily got off the couch.
Knowing myself, I knew I needed to let the anger out in another room.
Before leaving the family room, I grabbed my journal.
Writing in it allowed me to process the event and see both sides of the disagreement.
It also allowed me to calm down.
Make your journal a judgment-free zone.
Our journals shouldnt be another place where we feel judged.
Its important to allow yourself to journal freely without the fear of judgment.
When we censor ourselves, we significantly limit the impact that journaling can have in our lives.
Make an effort to reassure yourself that your journal is a judgment-free zone.
So, setting yourself up for success with your journaling is half the battle.
However, a successful journaling practice doesnt mean much if you dont exactly know what to journal about.
Here are helpful prompts that can fuel your journaling journey:
1.
Check in with yourself and how youre feeling:Our lives are busy.
Reflect on what happened during your day:Journaling can help you beautifully reflect on your day.
Turn to your journal to connect with whats been showing up in your life.
What would you say?
Journaling unsent letters can help you find closure with someone without ever having to talk to them.
She is also the host of theSophieThinksThoughts podcastand writes atsophiethinksthoughts.com.
you’re free to find her onInstagram,Twitter, andFacebook.
