I have a bit of a confession to make: I took a long-very long-break from writing in my journal. Not necessarily intentionally, but when I started this blog, I found that my journal writing did slow down eventhough what I blog about and what I typically journal about are quite different. Yesterday I busted out my journal for the first time in over a year--yes, that is right--
a year. I knew it had been a long while since I had written in it, but when I looked at the last date entered, I was a little shocked because I did not realize I had neglected my journal for so long.
So, what made me get it out? I have been feeling a bit stressed about a few different things in my life--and as much as I've tried to use yoga and mindfulness to release some of the stress, I could still feel it in my mind and body. So, I found myself getting out my journal and writing nonstop for 4 pages front and back. And, I can definitely tell it made a huge difference. The situations I've been preoccupied with haven't changed, but simply by writing about them and my feelings about them, I definitely feel like a weight has lifted. I often advise my students that they should try out writing about their feelings when they are upset or stressed, and this was a case where I definitely needed to take my own advice!
I am and always have been a true believer in the power of journaling. I am right now setting an intention to make sure I am writing in it more regularly this year!
Are you a journal-er? If so, what are your thoughts about it?
Namaste'
Leslie