How Journaling Can Change Your Life

During the first few days of 2021 I found myself in a dark place overthinking about the past and questioning my life. I've suffered with loneliness in the past but it really hit me when the loved ones around me got unwell and I was on my own...in my own thoughts. I started to think about who was really there for me and that's the reality when you're in a shitty situation, you really see people's true colours. One thing I can say is I'm grateful for those who reached out and even tho I don't open up to a lot of people as I keep my circle small, one phone call just to check in can make a difference. I should actually get an award for bottling up my emotions! When I finally opened up it hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew something had to change so a family member introduced to me to journaling. Journaling was the best thing I ever did for myself.

Journaling is way to write down all your thoughts and feeling, if you're not much of writer you can implement drawing and photography too. They're no rules to journaling, it gives you the opportunity to just express yourself unedited, unfiltered and unapologetically. The best time to write is first thing in the morning and at the end of your day, this way you start your day positively and end the day reflecting on what went well for you and can prepare yourself for the next day.

It can help to reduce stress and anxiety and give you a more realistic outlook on life as your thoughts can stem from your unrealistic expectations or fears. It's also a great way to reflect on your experiences rather than dwell on the negativity of those experiences. This allows you to learn from your past and most importantly grow as a person. Another benefit of journaling is that it allows you to visualise your goals and your more likely to achieve them. Track your progress and make sure you're regularly updating your goals, there is nothing wrong in changing your goals. What you wanted 6 months ago may not be want you want today, it's part of your self-growth. Here are a some journaling prompts to get you started:

• Write down your top 3 goals for the day- start your day with intention, it will motivate you even more.

• Write a of 5 things you're grateful for- when you feel like nothing is going right for you try to appreciate even the smallest things, what would you do without them?

• Write a letter to your younger self- I'm sure there are lot of things you could say to younger yourself, no one is prepared for life's surprises good and bad.

• Write a letter to someone that has significantly impacted your life - this can negative or positive but what would you say to them if you could? Let it all out!

• Who inspires you?

• What do you love about yourself? - be kind to yourself!

• Write down affirmations that stand out to you for example, "I have the power to create the life I desire".

• What are you passionate about? - make a collage about it.

• Write a list are your hobbies- this is just fun to do and you'll start to have things you can look forward to.

• Talk about a negative or positive experience- how did it or how is it affecting you? What have you learnt or how do you think you can overcome it?

• Brainstorm everything that triggers negativity in you - what pisses you off? What doesn't sit well with you or who irritates you? Trust me writing this one down will be a weight lifted off your chest and you'll soon realise its all just noise in your life that is stopping you from being happy.

• Literally anything!

Since I started my journaling journey I have noticed such change in myself. I've started to to stop giving a sh*t and I'm making better decisions that benefit my mental health. No more letting people walk over me, self pity and allowing people's negative energy to take over my life. I feel so much more in control of my life and I'm in a far better headspace to what I was in 2020. I'll be honest I'm not 100% where I want to be mentally as yet as I have a creative block again but I know I can overcome it. Improving your mental health is a process so you just have to give yourself time. The most important lesson of all for me is acknowledging that everything is temporary and the good things will happen how they are supposed to with time.

I hope you're all taking care of yourselves during this pandemic, this lockdown has been one of the hardest for most of us so don't be so hard yourself. Put yourself first by finding new ways to manage your mental health or talking to someone you trust. If things don't improve seek professional help.