Journaling
Journaling is the regular recording of thoughts, emotions and experiences in order to organize experiences, observations and conclusions.
Definition
Journaling can take the form of free-form notes, expressive writing, a gratitude journal, a mood journal, or a post-action reflection. Research on journaling indicates potential benefits for mental health, although the effects depend on the form, context and person. It is not a replacement for therapy, but it can be a simple tool for self-observation.
Key ideas
- Organizing experiences
- Self-observation
- Reflection in writing
Practice and life
For 7 days, write down three sentences: what happened, what I felt, what I learned. Don't correct the style, it's the observation that counts.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to turn journaling into rumination. It is also a mistake to evaluate notes as a text for publication instead of as a tool for yourself.
> Day 1. I decided.
Day 2. I prepared a plan.
Day 3. I discovered my purpose.
Day 4. Let's do it!!!
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What did I really experience today?
- What repeating patterns do I see in my notes?
- Does writing give me clarity or does it make me feel more stuck in circles?