Keeping a journal is a potent instrument for personal growth, shown to enhance mental and emotional well-being. Among its many benefits, journaling can aid in problem-solving, managing stress, and maintaining focus on goals, but perhaps most impactful is the spiritual component of meditation in written form.
Science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler exemplifies this concept. Before becoming a world-renowned, best-selling author, Butler wrote in her journal: “This is my life. I write bestselling novels. My novels go onto the bestseller lists on or shortly after publication. My novels each travel up to the top of the bestseller lists and they reach the top and they stay on top for months. Each of my novels does this.” And so it was.
Oprah Winfrey, a strong advocate of gratitude journaling, has openly shared excerpts from her early journals. These entries now serve as documentation of her ambitious dreams, written before realized.
Erykah Badu, another of many creatives who champion the practice of journaling. Over a decade ago she told us, “Write it down on real paper with a real pencil. And watch shit get real.”
While its benefits are well-established, for some, engaging in journaling isn’t intuitive. For those interested in tapping in and unsure where to begin, here are four journaling prompts, categorized topically, to guide the process.
Venting: The Power of Journaling for Emotional Release
Life presents numerous triggers to which anger is an instinctive response. But if you were to react indignantly to every justifiable offense, you’d spend your whole life reacting. So, what’s the solution for built-up tension? Write it down! Pour out your thoughts on paper and leave it there.
Journaling Prompt: When you feel anger rising, take a…
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