How to use Journaling for Self-Care

I've always liked to write and while I love my blog, there's just something beautiful and magical seeing your own handwriting on paper. Growing up I kept a diary to help process my thoughts and keep track of those exciting moments. Now-a-days I see my journal work as a key component of my self-care practice. ​

​How, you ask? Check out these four different ideas on how to use your journal for self-care.

Stream of Consciousness
Stream of Consciousness writing it just putting pen to paper and letting whatever come out happen without judgment. The first few times you do this, you may find it difficult to just let it be. Try not to let spelling or proper grammar stop you from just writing. 

I like to use this style of journaling when I'm upset or feeling emotional about something. We all have moments where our rational brain has a hard time understanding why we feel a certain way and this style of writing always to get out those emotions in a safe way (ie. No one gets hurt). This is a great way to be an undercover detective about yourself! 

Gratitude Practice
I'm sure you've seen it on Instagram and a million other blogs; but as cliche as it sounds having a gratitude practice will help you come from a perspective of appreciation, rather than a scarcity mindset. In a culture that encourages us to purchase products based on not being "good enough" the way you are now, we can sometimes feel as if we lack a certain something or other. Don't even get me started on Instagram Life Comparisons and Impostor Syndrome! If we spend sometime checking in with those things we are truly grateful for we can see the world from a place of abundance and really feel that love that's being shared with us. 

"Finding the Good"
Finding the Good is my form of gratitude practice with a little twist. Instead of just focusing on those things/opportunities that life has brought to us, Finding the Good is about locating the win throughout the day. This is a great practice for when you had a tough day and everything feels heavy; often times there is at least one good thing that happened. This allows us to shift the perspective of the day from negative to positive. Some days it's huge life events that show up in the "Finding the Good" list and other times it's just having five minutes to cuddle with one of my cats. 

Make a List
Need a feel good moment? Make a list of your accomplishments; anything from graduating college to eating a healthy breakfast. The point of this one is to let the brain focus on the positive things that you have done in your life. You have done so much in your life and something we all need a little boost to remind us that we can do anything. 

P.S. - this one is especially helpful when you're working on a difficult project and are met with a brick wall. You've encountered other walls and learned to climb them or break them down. This set back will be the same. #yougotthis

Have other ideas on how to use your journal for self-care? I wanna know! Post them in the comments below. 
<3
​- Jenn Rose