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Personal Growth

Journaling Techniques for a Better You

Are you interested in learning the best journaling techniques you can utilise for a better you? There are so many great techniques you can focus on, and each has their own pros and cons. 

The main thing to remember when searching for the best technique, is that what works for somebody else may not work for you. We are all unique so find what works the best for you.

Experimenting with different techniques will help you to see which one works better. With that said, there are some journaling techniques known to be more effective for personal growth.

Here are a few of the best journaling topics and techniques to use for a better you.

# Gratitude

Potentially the best technique you can use for personal growth, is gratitude journaling. This involves writing down the things that you are grateful for each day. And everyone can find something to be grateful for.

Studies have shown that keeping a daily gratitude journal can alter your mindset in just 21 days. It teaches you to be more positive about life and to be grateful for the things that you have. 

It is common in life to only focus on the things we want and the things we don’t have. By switching to thinking about the positive things already in our lives, it helps to make us happier and content.

# Dreams

A dream journal may sound like an odd tool to boost personal growth. However, studies have shown that keeping a dream journal can help to improve your mindset.

A clear link has been discovered between dreams and mental development. The emotions you experience in your dreams can relate to your mind’s ability to cope with and process information. It is thought that the skills we learn while we are awake, come out stronger in our dreams.

So, if you want to recognize emotions, traits, and fears that you may have, looking at your dreams can give you the clues you need to change.

Start recording you dreams by writing them down in your journal as soon as you wake up before you forget . You can then go back over them later to see what they could mean.

# Goals/Visions

Another popular journaling technique is to write about your goals and visions.

A goal setting journal is potentially one of the best ways to better yourself. You can use it to work on absolutely anything that you want to change.

It could be you want to become more cultured by traveling more. Or maybe you want to lose weight and get generally healthier? Whatever part of yourself you are trying to improve; a goal or vision journal can prove invaluable.

With a goal journal, you basically write down your goals and then track your progress.

With vision journals, you use them to write about your dream life. They also tend to be more visual. For example, you would add pictures of things you want to achieve in your dream life.

As you can see, there are a few different types of journaling you can utilize. The above are just three of the best techniques you can use to better yourself. 

Categories
Personal Growth

When is the Best Time to Journal?

According to some experts, journaling at specific times can help to make the practice more effective.

However, when you research the best time to journal, you’ll find a lot of contradictory advice. Some claim you should always do it in the morning, while others say journaling at night is better.

The truth is there is no set time that works better for everyone. The best time for somebody else might not be the best time for you. Therefore, it is a good idea to compare the benefits of writing in the morning and evening. That way, you can better decide which is right for you. 

# Pros And Cons Of Journaling In The Morning

The most popular time of day recommended for journaling is the morning. Doing it as soon as you wake up can deliver a few great benefits. The pros of journaling in the morning include:

  • It helps you to set good intentions for the day ahead.
  • You can better recall your dreams.
  • It can kickstart the brain, making you more focused.
  • You’ll find it easier to make progress.

So, writing in the morning is ideal for those who are using the dream journaling technique, or those who want to be more proactive during the day. As fewer things are likely to crop up first thing in the morning, it also ensures you stick to your journaling routine. 

So, what about the cons of journaling in the morning? Well, events won’t be as fresh in your mind as you’ll be recalling things from the day before. Your mind is also groggier in the morning, so you may not be able to come up with solutions to any problems you are facing. 

# Pros And Cons Of Journaling In The Evening

Journaling in the evening can also deliver some unique benefits. They include:

  • You can debrief your day.
  • It can help you to destress.
  • You may sleep better.
  • Creativity often increases in the evening.

When you journal at night, the events of the day are still fresh in your mind. You will be able to analyze them and get them out of your head before bed. This in turn will help you to sleep much better. You may also find it easier to write in your journal in the evenings if you are more of a night owl. This is where your creativity will be highest. 

Of course, there are downsides to writing in the evenings too. Some people find they have trouble sleeping if they try and journal before bed. This is because thinking about your problems right before you go to sleep can get them stuck in your mind. It can also cause you to stay up later than you should if you write for longer one day for example.

When trying to determine which time is better to journal, consider the pros and cons of each option. You should also think about your own lifestyle and where journaling can best slot into it. The right time for somebody else may not be the best time for you. 

Categories
Personal Growth

Tips for Creating a Relaxing Place to Journal 

 If you want to start journaling every day, finding a relaxing place to do it is going to help. While you don’t need to have an entire room dedicated to journaling, you do want to have a relaxing space you can retreat to.

Here, you’ll discover some great tips on how to create a relaxing place to journal.

# Choose a quiet space.

The first thing to focus on when looking for the perfect journaling space, is whether it is quiet. You are going to need a quiet area to write to get your thoughts and feelings clearly down onto the paper. 

If you have kids, you can do it when they are in bed or you could create a quiet space in your bedroom where you won’t be disturbed. You can journal anywhere that is comfortable and quiet. It could even be an outdoor space in warmer weather. 

# Eliminate any clutter.

Wherever you choose to base your journaling space, it’s important to eliminate any clutter. When a space is cluttered, it can cause our mind to become cluttered too. So, clean up the area and make sure it is organized. 

The more organized your journaling space, the easier you will find it to write. 

# Add a plant to the space.

You will want to make your journaling space as pleasant as you can. This means it should be visually appealing as well as comfortable. Adding a plant to the space can help to give it a sense of calm and tranquility. There are hundreds of different types of plants, ensuring there is one to match your preferences. 

Plants are also known to improve air quality, boosting the oxygen within the space. Not all plants will boost air quality so be sure to look specifically for plants with this feature if you want to gain the most benefits. 

# Utilise the power of scent.

When you are going to write, you can control how you feel with the power of scent. You can create a relaxing, calming space by using a Lavender scent for example. Or you can improve your focus and concentration with a citrus scent. 

Think about a scent that helps you to feel calmer and more focused. Whatever scent you love, if you add it to your journaling routine, you’ll look forward to doing it. 

# Have comfortable seating available.

Another thing you’ll want to focus on is comfortable seating. You aren’t going to want to write, or at least write for long, if you don’t have a comfortable seat. You could write on your bed, or in an ergonomic office chair. Some people also prefer to write on a large, oversized beanbag. The more comfortable your writing space, the longer you are likely to stick to it.

It isn’t hard to create a relaxing space for journaling. Whether you choose to do it at a desk in your office, or while sitting on your bed, the above tips will help you to create the best space.