Having some alone time to wind down and sit with your thoughts is something we all look forward to. After the long days and nights dedicated to our busy fast-paced lives, a lot of things may go unnoticed.
Do you ever have weeks where you have no idea what day it is? Well, this is a common occurrence that is mainly caused by being too focused on other aspects like work and forgetting to go slow.
Adopting best self-care practices that become second nature is essential. One of the most intuitive and intentional practices is journaling.
These sessions will feature amazing coffee, quality fountain pens, and your favorite notebook. Your journal sessions could be done during your morning or evening coffee.
The Art of Putting Pen to Paper
Journaling is a practice that has been around for a long time and has been adopted by several people. I love to take this time to reach out to my favorite fountain pen and notepad for some in-depth thought work. Writing down the different thoughts in your mind gives you an amazing opportunity to make space for other things.
The best part is that what you write down can easily be acted upon. If you love writing and getting your fountain pen on to paper, journaling is the best activity to take up. It involves different styles that you can adopt. Some of these styles include:
Gratitude Journaling
Starting your days in a grateful state is one of the best ways to win your day. Gratitude journaling allows you to focus on what’s going right in your life and all the good things you have.
As humans, we tend to focus too much on what we don’t have and are trying to achieve that we forget what we do have. This practice will keep you mindful and allow you to look at life from a whole new perspective.
As you sip your coffee, relax and think of all the things you are grateful for. This could be anything, from something as simple as being grateful for waking up to more complex gifts in your life.
Future Journaling
The best way to grow and ensure that you are headed in the right direction is by having goals. Where do you see yourself in the future? This is one question you can answer in your future journal.
For this, you have two options. If you believe in the law of attraction, then you’d write as if your goals have already come to pass and you’re currently enjoying the fruits.
On the other hand, if that’s not for you, writing about what you want to achieve within a certain period is an excellent idea.
Future journaling allows you to stay focused on your goals and work towards them. It will help you stay accountable and ensure that you don’t forget what you set out to achieve.
Brain Dump Journaling
Studies show that on average we as humans have at least 6,200 thoughts in a day. Some of these thoughts are conscious and others non-conscious.
Taking your time to sit down with your fountain pen and paper to carefully jot down some of these thoughts is essential.
Writing on paper has a different effect on the brain compared to noting it digitally. Additionally, doing this, allows you to free up space in your brain to allow you to focus on other things.
Present Journaling
Present journaling is more like keeping a diary where you write about your days, what went right and where you failed. This is a great way to ensure that you appreciate the experiences you go through daily.
You could also note down opportunities you took advantage of and the new relationships you’ve built. It is also a great place to express the anxieties, frustrations, and disappointments you are faced with.
Reflective Journaling
Reflection done over a cup of coffee will surely hit differently. Coffee is a great stimulant that will help you in such a situation. It will enhance your mental performance and allow you to concentrate on getting all your thoughts on paper.
Reflective journaling involves looking back at your past experiences and noting them down. Making note of where you’ve been in the past allows you to see how far you’ve come and allow you to appreciate your progress.
This is also a great opportunity to note down your failure and the lessons you’ve learned. Additionally, also look into your successes to see what worked and how you can replicate the same in your present.
Best Practices For Keeping a Journal
With the different journaling styles that you can adopt, there are a few practices you should consider to make the experience amazing. Some of these practices include:
Building a Routine
When you do something long enough, it becomes a habit that you can have with you for a long time. Building a routine around your journaling sessions will give you the chance to get into the habit.
When taking your morning or evening coffee, stop for a minute to get your journal and fountain pen of choice.
Once you have these in hand, get into a relaxed state and enjoy your journaling session. Remember this should not feel like a chore. Take your time and write as much or as little as you want.
Making Your Journal Your Own
When it comes to journaling, there are no set rules that you should strictly follow. This said you have the freedom to use your journal as you wish. Make it fun by adding stickers and other fun accessories that will encourage you to keep at it.
The point is to ensure that your journal speaks to who you are. When it comes to writing, you can do this on your schedule and take up any style you wish. Journaling should be a fun experience that you want to keep doing.
Using Journaling Prompts
If you are a beginner in the journaling world, it may be a bit hard to figure out what you want to write about. However, this can easily be addressed by using different writing prompts.
These are questions or statements that will give you a head start and give you an idea of what to journal about.
Journaling in the Right Environment
Given that you are working with your thoughts and have to be in a state of mindfulness, being in the right environment is important.
Find a place that is quiet and away from all distractions. This will allow you to focus and have an easy time with your thought process and writing.
Conclusion
Journaling is an amazing way to express your thoughts. It allows you to appreciate the present, look forward to the future, and learn from your past.
With your well-brewed cup of coffee and a fountain pen, your journaling sessions will bring about exciting experiences. Stay present as you journal and remember to keep in mind the best practices that will make this experience one you long for.