Journaling is a powerful self-help tool that is gaining popularity. Everywhere you look now you see different types of journals. You can purchase a variety of journals online from stores such as Amazon as well as in bookshops. Coaches and therapists also use journaling to help their clients. It is incredibly easy to journal on your own in just a plain notebook. However, all journaling has one thing in common and that is writing.
So how can you journal if you hate writing?
Draw Pictures
From simple to elaborate, any kind of picture that expresses your emotions and situation will help. After you’ve drawn the picture you can label and annotate it. If you leave a blank page opposite your drawing then you can come back and review it later and jot down any additional thoughts, emotions and responses that come to mind. Quite often this simple method will spur ideas and get you writing quickly.
Why not try using different types of pen or pencil to make your journaling more interesting and exciting? I purchased and use colored pens. This makes your journal look more appealing.
Diagrams
If you are journaling about a problem, then you might consider using a diagram such as mapping or a tree to help you decide. You could develop your own diagram. Something that works for you. Diagrams are powerful because they are visual and help you to see patterns and connections more easily. If you are trying to make a decision, then you can illustrate the different outcomes and results to help you formulate the best decision. Adding in color not only makes them more attractive but can highlight connections.
Use Prompts
Using a simple prompt such as a word or question can help break up any blank pages and inspire you to unburden yourself onto the empty page in front of you. It’s important that you don’t feel that you have to write a lot or even in full sentences. The journal and act of journaling has to relate to your needs at that moment in time and this will vary day to day.
You could consider purchasing a journal designed for the specific use you need. There are lots of weight loss, gratitude, happiness and other journals available. Many of these will include prompts and recording methods that do not require lots of writing.
Create a Collage
Get some magazines or newspapers and cut out words, phrases, paragraphs or even articles that relate to your situation or emotions at that particular point. Add in pictures that you find that could demonstrate how you are feeling or want to feel. Again you can annotate it to make it truly personal. Leave a blank page so that you can revisit and review it later and add in additional journaling as you would like.
Speak It
While writing using a pen and paper is probably the most powerful method of journaling, you can also use dictation software such as Dragon. You will need the software and a computer with a microphone to use this method. It may be easier to start your journaling journey by speaking to the computer and imagining you are talking to a friend or just yourself. The software will ‘write’ what you say, and you can save the document so that you can review it later. My husband installed Dragon on his computer, and he loves it.
You may decide to keep your journal electronically in which case you can review it and add in later thoughts and feelings by typing or dictating through the speech recognition software. Or you may decide to print it out and keep it in a binder. If you do print it out, then you can embellish it or make additional notes on the hard copy.
Be Flexible
Journaling does not have to be undertaken every day for a set period of time if that does not suit you. Many people journal every day for 20 minutes as that is the method that suits them best. However, it may be that once a week is enough.
Alternatively, you may decide that you will journal when you feel you need it. Some days it may be that you choose to use a prompt or picture to kick-start your writing. Other days you may find that the words flow and you can write without stopping.
The important points to remember are that the journal is a personal document designed to help you and that it is designed to be used and revised. It is a living document and there is no right or wrong way to create or use it.
Happy Journaling!
Pamela
