Welcome to the Power and Purpose of Therapeutic Journalling
Why journal?
Why not?
In the digital age, handwriting is becoming a far-distant skill to behold. The generations today only tolerate it at school. When I was a child, I’d write notes back and forth to my friends, even letters. I had dozens of penfriends of people I’d met on holidays, whom I kept in contact with for years.
These days, all you have to do is log onto Facebook, X, Instagram, or even email, and these people are readily available. It’s rare not to have social media these days, although I envy those who are still unplugged.
Even if Journalling isn’t the same as writing a letter, its popularity is just as neglected.
As I write now, it is on a screen with a keyboard and mouse, but I scripted this briefly with pen and paper beforehand. When compters were first available to us, I was just a child, merely five.
Back in the 80s, computers were massive box TVs, tape decks and joysticks. However, in the 90s, my first official PC of my own was a Hewlett-Packard/Packard-Bell! Lol. I had this gigantic square monitor with huge detachable speakers; it had a weird neck stand that moved on a ball like joint, and the tower was much like the ones we have today. But we’re a long way from Windows 95, lol.
Anyway, I digress.
No one writes anymore, and some of the writing some people do is pointless!
“No one cares about your adaptation of a Niçoise salad, Karen!”
But your journal does.
You see, a journal isn’t just about documenting your dailylife, your thoughts, feelings, and activities. You can use it for a multitude of reasons.
1. Voicing opinions – Unfiltered Voice and opinions without judgment (we‘ll work on that!).
2. Setting Goals and Aspirations – For clarity & direction, objectives, ambitions, and clarifying your core values.
3. Routine – Tracking Habits for monitoring your routine, sleep, diet, fitness, and financial health.
4. Support – Self-Advocacy & Awareness a is great place to freely express your true feelings, thoughts, desires, worries, and concerns to boost self-awareness, problem-solving, and clarity.
5. Improve your memory – Cognitive Boosting! It‘s great for improving memory and recalling patterns of behaviour and growth.
With journalling, you can do just about anything, and it’s yours. Your place. Your inner world. Your one-stop dumb shop, lol.
For those who find it hard to open up to others, journalling is your place to go. When you reflect on your days, weeks, months, and even years, you’ll be able to compare and grow just as a person who journals for personal growth.
How to Journal?
Well, that’s easy!
Be authentically you <3
Don’t hide from that power inside yourself. That realism. The one you hide from everyday life. The person that people see on the outside isn’t the same as the one on the inside. Stop hiding them. They deserve to be known, heard, seen, and spoken to like the human that they are.
For years, you have spent hiding from your true self. This journal you will create will help you express that deepest part of you. Helping you to grow and evolve into your more authentic, higher self.
Understand more about why you hide the real you.
Do you think it is because you wish to be liked? Loved? Accepted?
Why can’t you be?
What is it about you that you feel is unlikable, unlovable, unacceptable?
Think about that when you’re delving into the depths of writing things down.
“Firstly, I want to express my gratitude that you’re here. Thank you for choosing me to guide you on your healing journey.“
Find Your Flow: The Many Ways to Journal.
Get yourself comfortable, and let me explain the depth of writing things down.
The great news is that there’s no single ‘right’ way to journal, and healing is about choice and flexibility. Your journal is a toolkit, and you get to pick the tools that better suit your emotional needs in that specific moment.
Here are four suggested starters for your journal. They are all rooted in therapeutic principles that you can use to navigate your inner compass.
Journalling Pack.
There will be 7 categories for the Journalling Pack, focusing on Core Beliefs (CBT/DBT Focus)/ Emotional Inventory & Regulation (DBT/ET Focus)/ Values & Direction (ACT Focus)/ Compassion & Inner Dialogue (CFT/Shadow Focus)/ Gratitude & Positive Focus (MBCT Focus)/ Daily Check-In/Tracking & Action, Movement, and Forward Steps.
For those of you who have downloaded my Worksheets over on my Wellness page, you could begin using your journal prompt with those Worksheets when they are available.
I have built everything around my resources on CBT, DBT, ACT, CFT, MBCT, & ET to regulate and incorprate easier comprehension and fluidity. So if you wish to use my Worksheets as well for further guidance they are available for you to download.
A4 Journal Version
COMING SOON!
A5 Journal Booklet Version
Ellie Williams 