The 5-5-5 Approach to Journaling: 5 Reasons, 5 Approaches, 5 Prompts
You’ve thought about journaling on and off for years but have never quite started or maintained the habit. Maybe you have thoughts like this:
I don’t know how to journal.
It takes too long.
I can’t get into it.
I don’t know what to write.
I don’t know what it does for me.
If that’s the case (or something like it) give this blog a quick read and see if you can get yourself started on this wonderful journey-habit with these tidbits of journaling wisdom.
Below is a little bit of guidance to get you over the journaling hump and get your mind feeling lighter and clearer!
5 Reasons Journaling is Great for You:
De-clutters your mind and organizes your thoughts
Decreases anxiety
Quiets mental noise
Provides a place to express yourself without judgment or editing
Increases connection with yourself/thoughts/feelings
5 Approaches to Making Daily Journaling a Reality:
Habit-stack your journaling with something else you do daily like having morning coffee
Don’t overthink your journal format:
Formal journal or notebook
Post-its
Voice to text
Notes section on your phone
Making lists
Begin with whatever is in your head. There are no rules, just start writing!
Use a themed journal that focuses on a particular topic
Remember, no j.u.d.g.m.e.n.t.
5 Prompts to Get You Introspectively Looking Deeper:
What did you like about how you handled a situation?
How could you have improved or built upon a particular situation/interaction?
What would dreaming bigger look like?
Who in your life gives you positive energy? What about them?
What is the mantra you need today/this week/this year?
5 Prompts to Get You Introspectively Looking Deeper:
What did you like about how you handled a situation?
How could you have improved or built upon a particular situation/interaction?
What would dreaming bigger look like?
Who in your life gives you positive energy? What about them?
What is the mantra you need today/this week/this year?
These are just a few ideas to get you started. There is a mountain of ideas you can access to do a deeper dive and get more ideas. If you would like to explore developing this skill-set in a way that is tailored to you and what you are working through, please reach out to us to connect with one of our compassionate and knowledgeable clinicians!
About the Author
Aviva Brill, LCSW is a clinical social worker specializing in aging parents, anxiety, relationships, and career transitions. She incorporates a range of modalities from CBT to Task-Centered and Solution-Focused theories into her treatment. Aviva is also Spanish speaking! Read more about Aviva here.