I can shake off everything as I write;
my sorrows disappear,
my courage is reborn.
—Anne Frank 
To journal is to journey within. It is a way of expressing and releasing how we are thinking, how we are feeling, how we are praying and how we are playing. What is important shows up on the pages of our journal and it can be a powerful healing process and an great companion for any transformational experiences.
Our journal reveals so much about us and what’s going on inside of us. Releasing our thoughts this way allows us to process the attached emotions, and it forms a sacred record of this process. We no longer have to hold this in our mind and body and this relieves our being. We can be honest in this form of sharing and our sacred truth becomes our powerful therapy.
It is like wind screen wipers for your life. The unaltered voice. The unfiltered version.
It is clear and deep
As our left brain is busy with the act of writing, our right accesses and expresses our feelings and emotions and our intuition. What comes from this oneness of mind is clarity and depth. We understand ourselves and our life experiences at a much deeper level.
We can free journal whatever comes to mind, or we can hone and explore something in particular that we may be struggling with, or something we are creating.
The awareness brings confidence
This exploration of our thoughts and feelings through journalling elevates our awareness and confidence. Engaging in a practice of journalling, we come to know ourselves better and grow more secure with how we think, feel and act in the world and this brings confidence to our experience in the world. And it just feels better.
Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding.—Jen Williamson
We don’t hold on to stress
A practice of journalling is a sacred conversation with yourself that energetically mimics talking to a trusted therapist or a dear friend. Rather than becoming anxious and carrying stress, those feelings are gracefully expressed and released onto paper. Journalling improves our ability to cope and is an excellent self-care method.
We create
Our journals become a process to create solutions and to solve challenging problems. Through writing and brainstorming we can reveal solutions and strategies for our challenges in life. We can explore working towards our goals and the challenges along the way. It gives form to something that has no form and is yet to be created. It is a tool for manifesting.
Our brain gets a workout
Our memory and our brain function improves as we keep them active with this practice. Journalling keeps our brains healthy and continually growing and improving.
We integrate
Before, during and after a life changing experience, we can be held by our journal. A consciousness expanding experience whether it be psychedelic, a near death, a great loss, a great change, we can use this practice to integrate this profound experience into our everyday lives. It will help us to make sense of it. It brings meaning. It preserves and gives a home for our memories—both cherished and challenging.
Preserve your memories, keep them well,
what you forget you can never retell.
—Louisa May Alcott
HOW TO GET STARTED
Gather a sacred journal and scribing tools, colours, paints, however you express. You can use a virtual journal if that is your way—personally I find magic in the physical act of writing and illustrating. Create a little ceremony to open this ritual in your life. Set an time to journal each day and allow an amount of time for the practice. You might like to create a playlist that helps you to fall in the process, and to keep time. Your journalling ritual might include lighting a candle each day.
As you open the page, open your heart, open your mind, open to the possibilities. Allow a spirit of nonjudgement in this practice and enjoy the clarity that comes from this. Give yourself permission to accept whatever is revealed, the beauty in the perfectly imperfect. Let yourself express purely however it comes out. Describe experiences and feelings in great detail, and from this you will draw meaning.
Begin.
A great way to start is to spend a few minutes each morning writing before starting your day. Journal about your dreamtime and how you feel. You can journal at the end of the day write about your day and your experiences.
I am grateful because…
A gratitude journal is beautiful way to elevate your being, explaining what you are grateful for.
I am attending to my healing by…
If your intention is for healing, you might ask yourself “How can attend to my healing today?” or at the end of the day “How have I attended to my healing today?”. What makes you feel at peace?
My life-changing experience…
What was positive? What was challenging? Describe any imagery. Describe any visionary. What stands out? Is there anything you are encouraged to change? What are you feeling? What did you learn about how you relate?
I believe…
If your intention is for personal grown, you can explore and build strengths, and to discover you’re your core beliefs are, what you value and what you are looking to transform, and what gets in the way. A habit you would like to change. A ritual you would like to start. Your speal about your passion to a stranger. What makes you unique?
I desire…
You can explore your wishes, your hearts desires. Where would you rather be? What is your favourite season and why? If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?
Dear me…
Write a letter to your self about why you love your life. Write about your desires, your goals, your favourite things, what makes you unique, your perfect day. If you were a flower. If you were an animal.
May your journal become your best friend.
That friend that listens with reverence.
That friend you feel safe to tell anything.
#nofilter
Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.—Natalie Goldberg,
x
In loving service 
