WHAT IS JOURNALING?
There’s mindfulness journaling, gratitude journaling, color journaling, and journaling for anxiety relief. The options are as big as your imagination! Bible journaling has become popular too. So let your thoughts and feelings flow. As long as you’re writing for fun, that’s all that matters.
Journaling is any form of written expression. With one important caveat: it’s the process that matters more than the final product.
JOURNALING — SAY GOODBYE TO PERFECTIONISM
This is not about creating a manuscript with perfect grammar, or a Bible journal with photo-worthy lettering. Nope. It’s all about capturing your life in this moment — with all its messiness.
Did you know the act of putting pen to paper triggers something in your brain that enhances creativity and self-awareness? It’s true! The old fashioned cursive flow offers benefits beyond the keyboard’s clackity-clack.
JOURNALING TO FORGET
Writing can be therapeutic. It helps you sort through confusion and process emotions.
One way to do this is to write with the sole goal of trashing (or symbolically burning) the paper. No one will ever read or know these words except you. Personal struggles and potentially hurtful rants will never be public. But! You’ll still enjoy the cathartic benefits of scratching them down on paper.
JOURNALING TO REMEMBER
On the other hand, writing to remember is really my favorite. And there are so many different creative outlets!
You can journal to:
- preserve the memory of loved ones.
- record moments of personal revelation.
- better understand yourself and see patterns in how you manage stress.
- capture the details of everyday life (focusing on touch, taste, sound, sight, and smell).
- cultivate thanksgiving by listing moments where God’s provision was obvious.
- creatively engage with God’s Word using color and paper.
- document a life-changing travel experience.
JOURNALING SUPPLIES AND STUFF
No matter what kind of journaling’s your jam, you don’t need expensive supplies. And yet, there are so many fun products out there! I love adding stickers to my diary journal. Or, you can pop in glittery gel pen doodles.
Many Bible journaling supplies are available too. I’ve been using Shanna Noel’s 100 Days of Bible Promises journal, and coloring with Faber-Castell’s metallic gelatos, bright gelatos and pens.
If mindfulness interests you, write down the things that catch your senses. A notebook and a pen are all you need (and perhaps some tape to attach leaves, flowers, and other treasures).
WHATEVER YOU WRITE, BE FREE!
Remember, it’s about the process, not what the final product looks or reads like. There’s joy and freedom in journaling. Tell your inner critic to stick a sock in it. 🙂