Journalling for Personal Development: A hidden gem for self-transformation and extraordinary living

I have found that something magical happens, profound at times, when writing in a journal. The act itself of opening the journal and putting pen to paper has an energy of its own, activating a connection. It is a way of truly being with myself. An intimate moment; felt, dynamic, even altered states of consciousness, in which I am totally focused, engaged, present, mindful, contemplative and able to access insight, empowerment and healing.

Journalling for me is a key part of my wellbeing, enabling self-discovery, self-help, self-development and self-love. Writing for me is an intention. A purposeful process of making the time to commit to myself and for taking action. My journalling is sacred. It is a place where I share my innermost thoughts, feelings, beliefs and experiences. A place for my worries, concerns and vulnerabilities. Somewhere I can express my hopes and dreams, my potential, creativity and desires. Like a good friend, it is a go-to place in times of need. Big or small, it is a space for me to freely share myself, find solace, have something held, validated and envisioned, any time I need. A keeper of truths, a sounding board, a place to purge and celebrate revelations.

So much more than just a notebook or diary, journalling is a participatory form of conscious meditation. A tool for self-enquiry, personal development, transformative change and higher self, spiritual communication. See here for more on the wellbeing experience and benefits of journalling.

Day to day, so much goes on, where we are constantly needing to be or do something. All of this accumulates, consciously and unconsciously, resulting in an underlying constant stream of information flowing through our minds. We can feel full up, or get carried away with so many thoughts spinning around our heads. Journals are a great place for a “brain dump”. A place to write down all the clutter and chaos in our head to let it all go; the annoying, nagging, endless stream of thoughts, information, doubts, wobbles, worries, overthinking.

Writing as things are coming to mind helps us to have much-needed inner space and respite with a clear head. It doesn’t need to make sense. It can be ramblings and the same things over and over, emptying our minds with writing, until we feel we are done. It will probably be a mix of the past, present and future and mostly nothing that actually needs to be there. Looking back at what is written, we can understand how we work and what things we allow to be going around our head. After brain dumping, tear out and rip up or burn the pages, as a physical action that unclogs the journal too!

Writing enables us to become an observer to our musings. Reading the page is like standing back and having an objective view, able to see the bigger picture, as we feel separate from the words on the page. Rather than being caught up, submerged in, or overwhelmed by what is going on for us, we can have some distance from it to help us make sense and know what to do. Here we are also able to filter out and choose what is relevant. We can gain a new perspective on a situation, glean insight, clarity, a new direction, conviction, respite and relief. Even a simple “Pros and Cons” list can be really helpful to get clear on something. A timeline is a great way too to capture and consolidate life and events and have an overview. Writing a Gratitude list can also really help us to feel uplifted and build and focus more on our intentions.

Journals too are a private space for self-discovery, sharing our truth and story. We can “drop down” into ourselves, explore and process our history, relationships, experiences, senses and see the patterns weaved through; what works and doesn’t, what is ours and not. We can express the more difficult, hidden or shadowy aspects, things we may not normally voice, that would otherwise get suppressed and harboured inside, constricting who we are. Journalling, though, is no mean feat. It can be really daunting and a difficult learning practice to write and see our deepest fears, vulnerabilities and hidden aspects in print. The journal, though, acts as a container and physically drawing a boundary too around the difficult things we have written can give the sense of them being held as well. They are then outside of us, brought to light and can be worked on.

Learning this practice really is one of the most sacred personal-development tools we can have. Click here for more on mental health wellbeing and self-love.

Sometimes writing alone isn’t enough. When I can’t find the exact words to describe what I mean, I will draw. This is especially useful when wanting to access our deeper, sensory levels (feelings, energy, body, memories). I draw pictures, use different colours, make diagrams, use labels, draw stick figures, shapes, symbols, squiggles, scribbles, maps, all to express in another way what I mean. It shows a true depiction of my experience and even holds the energy of what I am trying to share.

When working with clients, I sometimes get them to write and draw as we work, so that they have this experience while I am with them. They can see through and I can help guide and hold their experience as well.

A really beneficial journalling experience is doing a letter “as if” to a person we need to say something to, but for whatever reason haven’t been able to. These are really powerful pieces and can enable a deeply healing inner shift and even a resolving and healing ripple effect. It is then up to us whether we send the letter or it is enough having written it and expressed ourselves.

I have called journalling “my church”. I am not religious. But like religions, it is a medium of connection and communion with my higher self, soul nature and the Divine. The unconscious and invisible can be seen, expressed and felt. In this practice, as I write, the answers, insights and inspirations start to flow onto the page too.

When I’m working on something, inspiration often comes to me in the middle of the night. I keep my journal next to me and have learnt to wake, write in the dark and go back to sleep, so nothing is lost!

In a shamanic energy medicine practice, meaningful offerings, prayers and gratitude can be written, then burnt or ripped up as a way of handing them over and offering them up to spirit. Another way of journalling as a spiritual practice, is to have our writings held in a beautiful “Intention Angel”, so that we are able to let them go, offer them up to a higher source and allow the Universe to respond.

Here are more experiences of journalling as a spiritual practice.

Journalling can also be very much resisted, misunderstood and underrated. It can be seen just as writing alone; a logical, rational, practical thing. Or we might remember being young and writing diaries that can be found and read by others; inner secrets revealed and exposed. Or a reminder of school, homework, studying and having to write. A chore. For some there is not enough time or it is seen as a waste of time. And it can be all of this. But the experience of journalling that I am talking about is one in which we consciously choose to take the time and space to do, which then, I believe, really supports and transforms us.

The way we write is a personal choice with no prescribed formula. We can do it as and when we need. As a routine or ritual. In a certain amount of time or space that we have. Sometimes we may need to carry our journal around with us to keep making notes. I often write in the mornings or as and when I need and journal as the thoughts are coming, thinking out loud, like talking to myself and going over things. Or writing like I am talking it through and explaining it to someone else. I write reminders, affirmations, manifestations, appreciations, things that I have accomplished, how far I have come, what I need to continue working on, the list goes on. When grappling with something I dialogue from each part and perspective to allow myself the full picture. Sometimes I look back through my journal to reflect and sometimes there are parts I never re-read.

For me, the act of journalling is a gift. A place where I can wholly see and be myself. One that honours and validates me and my experiences as I go through the ups and downs of life. A tool for discovering, developing and deepening my knowing and being in who I am and the life I want to live.

My hope is this inspires you too to journal for your own self-discovery and extraordinary living.

Dawn.