The Benefits of Journalling
Journalling is not just a nice idea, it's an evidenced-based way of making you the best version of yourself!
If you would like to join me for the next Journalling Workshop, you can sign up here...
Journalling Helps Us Connect with Ourselves
When you write to yourself, you don’t have to worry about other people’s judgment – you just listen to your own thoughts and let their flow take over. Later, when you reread what you wrote, you often discover surprising truths.”
Bessel van der Kolk in The Body Keeps the Score. 2014
Personally, I have seen this particular benefit of journalling many times over in my own life. As an introvert working with people, my journal is an important part of how I get quiet again and reconnect with myself. I do periodically go back and re-read what I have written, and it is wonderful when I discover those 'surprising truths'. Such as, I've come further than I thought!
Journalling Helps Us Get "Unstuck"
Do you ever get stuck in your own thinking? Annoying, isn't it?! Did you know that journalling can help get those stuck thoughts un-stuck?
We have a social editor inside us, telling us what to say and not say. This social editor helps us to stop us saying or doing inappropriate things when we are with others, which is is helpful for building positive relationships with others. But when we edit ourselves even when we are alone and don't accept our own thoughts and/or feelings, this can be detrimental to our mental health.
There is a freedom that comes from journalling when you quiet the voice of the social editor and allow yourself to express your thoughts and feelings in a way that is meaningful to you.
“You are free to go into a sort of trance state in which your pen (or keyboard) seems to channel whatever bubbles up from inside. You can connect those self-observing and narrative parts of your brain without worrying about the reception you’ll get.”
Bessel van der Kolk in The Body Keeps the Score. 2014
Journalling can lead to Increased Self-Acceptance and Positive Self-Esteem
Acceptance of all of our thoughts and feelings has been linked to better psychological health. According to research, this is because when we accept whatever we are experiencing in our thoughts and emotions, we are less reactive and more responsive. ie: we are more kind and compassionate, less self-shaming and judging which tends to perpetuate a more positive view of ourselves.
Journalling Promotes our Physical Health
This, I do find incredible. Apparently, journalling has been found to lower blood pressure and improve mental acuity. Journalling has also been found to protect against burnout for professionals who work in high-stress fields.
What Journalling is Not
In The Journalling Workshop we tackle some "rules" we may have made about what journalling 'should' look like and embrace what it could look like for each of us as individuals.
This brings great freedom for many of us! One participant from the February workshop, who had never journalled before the workshop said:
"I loved the part where we threw away all the rules. That has been amazing for me and I have journalled a few times since, because I don't need to follow my made up rules. It was a lovely, safe place to share and I found myself connecting with others who were strangers in the morning."
Are you curious to find out more?
You can sign up for the Journalling Workshop here! You won't regret it!
Read a blog about journalling for more info
Linda Smallbones
Linda Smallbones
Linda Smallbones
Read more on my website here.
