Keeping a journal is surprisingly easy and has so many benefits, but getting your thoughts down on paper can sometimes feel like a daunting task. As with so many things – we judge our writing before we’ve even started! If the idea of sitting down with an empty notebook fills you with dread or you wonder what on earth you might write about, read on for some inspiration to get you started.
Benefits of journaling
There’s lots of evidence that the act of writing down your ideas and feelings is good for you. Journaling allows you to express your thoughts and ideas in a safe and private way. By writing down your stressors and sore points – the fears we may have for our children, for example – you can safely process your worries and let them gently go. Journaling will help calm and clear your mind, giving you more headspace to focus on the laundry list of things you have to do.
How to keep your journal
You can keep your journal either hard copy or electronically. There are online resources like Penzu where you can make beautiful journals that you can easily search through or refer to but many of us still prefer to use hard copy journals. There seems to be a link between handwriting and the unconscious mind; as you carry out the act of writing you are making connections within your brain. When you’re writing, you tend to go slower than when you are typing and you’re forced to really think about what you want to say.
What to write about
There’s no wrong way of journaling – that’s the beauty of it. You’re writing for yourself and no-one else! Your journal is really just a safe place for you to write down your thoughts, even if they seem silly, disordered or unreasonable. You might start simply with a summary of what happened today, your feelings about what’s happening right now in your life or the life of you child and then add some reflections. What did you think about what happened? How did you feel about it? If you weren’t happy with what happened, what might you do to change? Use your journal to have a conversation with yourself because this is something busy parents, especially us special needs mamas don’t get a chance to do very often.
Make a list
If you really can’t think of how to begin, you could try starting with some lists. Your list might be things you are grateful for, hopes for the coming month, hopes for your child or funny things your child has said or done. Make a list of the best shows you’ve watched on Netflix this year and add some notes about why you liked them. You don’t always even have to be positive. Thinking about and then writing down your fears or frustrations can be very therapeutic. You can bring to your consciousness any feelings that might have gone unnoticed or be left to simmer.
Solving problems and communicating better
The act of writing down a problem actually helps you consider possible resolutions. If you have a particular issue with your child/children, your partner, co-workers, or even yourself, writing about it will help you reflect on it in a new way. Journaling can also help you clarify your ideas and position on a certain topic. That means when the time comes for you to talk about your perspective you’re likely to have it more clearly defined in your head and be more confident in what you want to say.
Get creative
We all have different skills and different ways of expressing ourselves. If you don’t consider yourself a writer, why not try sketching an experience or idea? Doodling is another way the creative mind gets a chance to step forward. You might also like to try a scrapbook style journal which includes printed quotes, cuttings from magazines or little snippets of your day to day life. Movie ticket stubs, drawings the kids have done and even receipts for special purchases (like school uniforms or Christmas presents) are all great fodder for your journal. Make sure you write down any memories you have associated with what you have chosen to keep.
Make it a ritual
It’s a great idea to make a set time to journal each day. You might make a few notes about your plan and intentions for the day each morning, or take a more reflective approach to the day once the kids have gone to bed. Writing regularly will help you to find your voice, and improve how your content flows. But by the same token, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get round to journaling on a particularly busy or stressful day.
Preserving precious memories
What you had for breakfast. A new outfit you got for your child, or what they ate for breakfast. What plants you planted in your garden… these little elements of day to day life might seem terribly mundane at the moment, but trust me, when you look back on your journal in years to come, you will be glad you have made an effort to document your everyday experiences.
Are you ready to give journaling a go? Check out these gorgeous journals, pens and more to inspire you further!
