A revolutionary act 4 the self.
I am going to fulfill a young queer person stereotype and preach to the beautiful practice of journaling. I know not everyone can release with words, or resonate with writing… but like so many creative endeavors, I believe all becomes easier with practice. I used to reread my writing and cringe, be embarrassed, but what shame is there in talking to yourself? In freestyling, recording, doodling, or whatever else may come? Journals are personal, meaning they are what you make of it. I am able to know myself better by having an outlet to process my thoughts with no judgement. Sometimes it contains reflections, thoughts, art, poems, drawings, or momentos… and now being on my fifth?(sixth.) journal, it is rewarding to reflect on the ones of the past and see how far I have come.
So, my major takeaways from journaling (and the reasons why I recommend it):
Fun! Silly! Inner child healing! Who the heck cares if what you write feels strange, one day you will look back and be grateful for it.
Personal, secretive space for you to process. Can share as you choose to. You can be that person in a coffee shop writing all mysterious (even if its just a list of tasks or simply “I did this today…”)
Encourages creativity. What makes someone a writer (or artist)? It is if they are brave enough to do it, formulate their thoughts and ideas and worry about the outcomes later. To me, my words and tone are some things I overthink the most, and writing and sharing my thoughts is a supportive, vulnerable activity.
Helps me remember what has happened, and forgive my past self. I see the growth over time and then am able to give more grace to myself in the present.
Main character energy. Sounds cringey but honestly, let us romanticize life and get to know ourselves! Self awareness is sexy.
For both the novices and experienced, I want to share what I have learned and appreciated from keeping a journal. Numbering these for the sake of organization, but they are all relative in importance.
Not everything has to be profound realizations! Sometimes the ordinary is beautiful in itself, and putting pressure on yourself to only write magnificent thoughts causes procrastination and stress. Write the mundane, and write regularly. For example, I will do recaps about what happened on the weekend, even if it seems minor.
Milestones, celebrations, and other markings of time can be a good time for reflection. I am not a huge fan of holidays, but I will use the moon/astrology to reflect on different themes (ex. Full moon, pisces season, etc.) I like being prompted to think about different areas of my life, or set goals for the period of time ahead.
Write prompts/questions to return back to, to answer at a later time- these can also be borrowed! I love finding questions/quotes online to write down and reflect upon later, and it gives you time to dive into an answer deeply.
Don’t feel scared to write “the good” AND “the bad”-any experience or feeling is worth acknowledging in some form. These descriptions are relative, but when I first began writing, it was when I would have upsetting experiences and need to type or write to calm down… do not judge your feelings, it is good to release regardless. And you can always follow up with affirmations or grounding thoughts :)
So much beyond just handwriting may appear in your journal! Doodles, taped-in memorabilia, leftover paint, stickers, textures, collages, and more. All these things make looking at your journal a fun activity, and I personally love colorful vibrant things! Also feel free to gather supplies for yourself that encourages you.
Keep that thing on you! You always want it when you don’t have it, and it can be a nice way to kill time. You never know when inspiration will strike.
Reading encourages writing. Viewing others art is also a way to inspire your own, and it is another part of living a creative lifestyle. Since reading more books, I feel like writing is a way I can give back, an act of reciprocity if you will.
Finally, I share some simple journal prompts I wrote a while back, and then something I wrote recently to show gratitude for finishing my last journal.
Prompts:
What has been happening in your life recently?
What are you proud of yourself for (even if it's just the small things)?
Is there any tension/stress in your life you’ve been feeling? Talk about how it feels, then think of ways you can relieve it or treat yourself in the moment.
What affirmations can you give yourself in this moment?
Is there anything in your life you want to focus more on/ think more about? Feel free to brainstorm without much pressure.
What have you appreciated lately?
GO OUTSIDE and take time to sit and write any thoughts.
AN ODE TO MY JOURNAL
You gave me the space to be myself- to figure out who that is- in private and out loud, through my existence. I am in eternal gratitude to the blank pages provided, in which my fears, pain, desires, love, and more may be inscribed upon. In this CHAPTER of my life, I spent much time and energy reflecting on the past and how it influences me to this day… I made sure to consistently slow down and WRITE, the “good” and the “bad,” and followed up with warm affirmations that continue to guide and grow me. Sometimes you are a diary: a list: a keeper of records: an open-ended answer: a poem: a sketchbook: a place to keep my belongings: webs of color: scribbles: storage for my FEELINGS. You are multitudes of multi-purpose, a reflection of ME, the being that brings you along and keeps you safe. You are marked from my trials, my journey, and held up when I needed you the most. I run into your arms in every scenario, out of comfort and necessity, sometimes just a visit yet I shall always RETURN. I trace over your pages to remember my past selves and their thoughts that would otherwise be lost and confused. YOU BRING ME clarity, grace, forgiveness, inspiration, and above all else, the ability 2 LOVE! Thanks 2 you, I became myself.
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