Journaling Prompts I Swear By to Handle My Feelings

Initially revealed in March 2020

There isn’t any higher approach to perceive the way in which you suppose and what’s going via your head than to journal. The issue I’ve discovered is that the act of journaling is so open-ended that when it’s most useful for me to do it, I keep away from it.

Sound acquainted? If this is without doubt one of the roadblocks you face on the subject of journaling, this submit is right here to assist. I need to take the guesswork out of how one can journal successfully, with out the approaching paralysis that generally outcomes from an open-ended immediate. 

In case you’re available in the market for a brand new journal, give one among these a attempt:

My first tip? Begin by writing “Morning Pages.”

Whether or not you might be new to journaling or are simply right here to get some new prompts to attempt, contemplate doing a “psychological obtain” first utilizing the “Morning Pages” technique. (“Morning Pages” is a writing follow developed by writer Julia Cameron. Wit & Delight contributor Ellen Koneck wrote a useful submit about this matter, which you’ll learn right here.) It’s a good way to get your psychological gears greased and clear out any fragments of unfinished duties, issues to recollect, or notes to self. It’s additionally actually efficient in priming the pump per se on the subject of getting probably the most out of extra focused journaling periods.

Subsequent, dive into journaling prompts.

When you’ve accomplished round ten minutes of unconscious, nonlinear writing, I counsel transferring on to journaling prompts. I maintain a listing useful that I can seek advice from and take stock of what I’m up towards that day or at that second. If I’m feeling anxious, I do know which checklist to give attention to.

Typically we journal to attach with ourselves; different instances we journal to search out perspective in moments that really feel uncontrolled. Given the weird instances we’re dwelling in and the unfold of COVID-19, journaling is changing into an extremely useful instrument for this worrier. 

When accomplished accurately, journaling could be calming and clearing in your thoughts. It will probably assist in releasing pent-up emotions and on a regular basis stress. It will probably assist you let go of destructive ideas whereas exploring your experiences with nervousness in a secure means.

The reality is, writing your ideas down in a journal can positively influence your nervousness on a holistic stage. When accomplished accurately, journaling could be calming and clearing in your thoughts. It will probably assist in releasing pent-up emotions and on a regular basis stress. It will probably assist you let go of destructive ideas whereas exploring your experiences with nervousness in a secure means.

Once we get within the behavior of writing about our struggles AND our successes, we start to see enhanced self-awareness whereas additionally educating ourselves about our triggers. Beneath you’ll discover a few of my favourite journaling prompts which have labored wonders for me.

Journaling Prompts for Self-Discovery

1. What do I do know to be true that I didn’t know a 12 months in the past?
2. What distractions get in the way in which of being my most efficient?
3. When do I really feel most in tune with myself?
4. If somebody described me, what would they are saying?
5. What can wait till subsequent week?
6. How does each a part of my physique really feel at this second?

Journaling Prompts for Managing Feelings

1. What feelings am I holding on to?
2. How can I detach or neutralize this emotion?
3. Why am I doing X?
4. Why am I feeling this fashion?
5. What’s inflicting these emotions?
6. Have I attempted to take my ego out of the scenario?
7. How can I detach my feelings from the habits of others?
8. Did I exploit wholesome boundaries earlier than I started feeling this fashion?

Journaling Prompts for Nervousness and Despair

1. What hurts proper now? How can I discover aid?
2. Once I look within the mirror, what do I see?
3. What are the issues in my residence which are probably the most “me”?
4. What am I doing proper now?
5. What occurred earlier than I felt a shift in my temper?
6. Write down a whole checklist of what you might be fearful about. Star the objects that you realize are 100% true and never solely a sense.

In case you aren’t satisfied, analysis reveals journaling can enormously enhance your total well-being. Now seize a pocket book, pour some tea (or whiskey?), and let the phrases fly.

Kate is presently studying to play the Ukulele, a lot to the despair of her husband, youngsters, and canine. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.