I have kept diaries for years. I would rather call them journals, as I don’t jot down actual events and what I had for lunch. I write about my inner thought processes, problems, aspirations, and plans. I find journaling important as a means of self-reflection. It gives me a better understanding of myself and helps me process my emotions, and vent my frustrations. When pouring out my frustrations on the paper, my negative emotions subside and I am able to think more clearly. Solutions start to emerge and problems slowly fade. My thoughts are more organized, and I am calm enough to think of new insights and ways of how to embrace a challenge, which I no longer call a problem. I can also record my ideas and the creative motions of my soul 🙂 Scientists have discovered that whenever we write something down, even if we never look at it again, we are able to remember it better. And if we act on it immediately, oh, the results can be life-transforming!
I am reading “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. https://a.co/d/fWk0q6u Julia advocates journalling every day. She calls it “Morning Pages”, a simple task of writing down “stream of consciousness” thoughts, anything that comes to your mind. You must write three pages every day, no matter what. I am in the middle of the practice. So far, I have gone through the same stages, in precisely the same order as she predicts, from excitement to boredom, anger, and feelings of futility and hope. It is a great thing to do. You weather out any state of your mind and do the damn thing anyway. Apart from other immeasurable benefits I have mentioned above, I am succeeding in quieting my “inner critic”, my perfectionism, as I do not need to prove anything to anybody. All I have to do is write. Uncorrected, uncensored lines. What a relief! What freedom! Julia promises that I would overcome any creative blocks and tap into my inner creativity with ease.
Journaling is a way to block out the outside noise. It pushes off everyday tasks and demands of others. You can concentrate on what is inside you and unearth your hidden desires, fears, and dreams. Nobody tells you what to do. You are free to explore, guide yourself, and go whenever you feel like going. Or need to go.
I have been exploring different approaches to journaling lately. As an artist who loves to write, I love connecting these two ways of expressing myself. I am fond of art journaling. We did some lovely art journaling with my kids when we were homeschooling.
With my recent studies of art therapy, I rediscovered art journaling as an excellent tool for healing! Many times, words cannot precisely describe the emotion or concern we want to convey. Pictures are different. They speak volumes without saying a word. Thus art journaling can help in the process of healing. I am going to explore this path and see where it leads me. Will you join me?