Journaling Prompts I Swear By to Handle My Feelings

Initially revealed in March 2020

There is no such thing as a higher technique to perceive the way in which you suppose and what’s going by 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 helpful for me to do it, I keep away from it.

Sound acquainted? If this is among the roadblocks you face in relation to journaling, this submit is right here to assist. I wish to take the guesswork out of how one can journal successfully, with out the upcoming paralysis that generally outcomes from an open-ended immediate. 

If you happen to’re available in the market for a brand new journal, give one in every of these a strive:

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

Whether or not you’re new to journaling or are simply right here to get some new prompts to strive, take into account doing a “psychological obtain” first utilizing the “Morning Pages” technique. (“Morning Pages” is a writing apply developed by writer Julia Cameron. Wit & Delight contributor Ellen Koneck wrote a useful submit about this matter, which you’ll be able to 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 in relation to getting essentially the most out of extra focused journaling periods.

Subsequent, dive into journaling prompts.

When you’ve achieved round ten minutes of unconscious, nonlinear writing, I counsel shifting on to journaling prompts. I preserve 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 listing to give attention to.

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

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

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

After 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. Under 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 best?
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 manner?
5. What’s inflicting these emotions?
6. Have I attempted to take my ego out of the state of affairs?
7. How can I detach my feelings from the habits of others?
8. Did I exploit wholesome boundaries earlier than I started feeling this manner?

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 dwelling which can be essentially 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 complete listing of what you’re nervous about. Star the objects that are 100% true and never solely a sense.

If you happen to aren’t satisfied, analysis exhibits journaling can enormously enhance your general well-being. Now seize a pocket book, pour some tea (or whiskey?), and let the phrases fly.

Kate is at present studying to play the Ukulele, a lot to the despair of her husband, children, and canines. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.