Journaling

Journaling is a helpful way to connect to what you are going through. There are actually a few ways that you can journal. One way is to do a timed journaling exercise. To do this, set a timer and write until the timer goes off. You can write on a specific topic, or just write about whatever comes to mind. Another option is to free-write. Grab that same journal and write until you feel that everything you are thinking about is out of you and on the paper. Taking time to reflect on what you have written is helpful to see if you want to continue to add to what you have written or stop there. Guided journaling is another option where you can find specific prompts to answer. They make some of these that can be bought off of Amazon or at the store. These are a great way to just sit and reflect on what you feel with the topic you have been given. Journaling is a great way of working through feelings without having to talk to someone else at that moment.

I personally love going down the notebook/journal aisle at the store and seeing what journal I connect with. Sometimes it is the journal with an interesting design on it and other times it is the more muted or simplistic journal. Oftentimes, my choice is an indicator of the mood that I am in. I will also buy a certain journal if is brings about a certain emotion that I want to feel. For example, if I have been feeling more down, I might pick a journal that is more brightly colored! (This is opposite action at its finest)!