Want to start journaling but don’t know where to begin?
Are you confused about what to write about or how to structure your journal?
You have come to the right place.
In the past, writing in my journal was never something I enjoyed nor did I stick with it. I used to write sad poems, sad songs, and issues me and my ex-girlfriend were having. The thing is, I never truly enjoyed it.
When I went through my anxiety recovery, which took about 5 months of commitment, I started a Morning Journal. Since then, about 1 year ago, I am committed to a 5 min writing session every morning before I start meditating.
A morning journal is extremely important when you are on the road to recovery, and just in general. I write down all the negative thoughts and stresses in my life so I can release them from my body. When you can get these thoughts out of you before you go about your day, its less likely these thoughts hover around you throughout the day. If they still come about, you are more likely to catch them and throw them away.
After releasing negative thoughts, make a list of what you are excited about throughout the day. I will list some examples of what I would write:
“I am excited about going to the museum with my girlfriend. I can’t wait to spend time with her.”
“I am excited to practise my anxiety techniques today when panicky sensations show up. It’s an opportunity for growth.”
After listing your excitements, write down what your grateful for. It could be your comfy bed, the car you own that gets you around, the people in your life, the food in your fridge, and the role models in your life. It is important to recognize the good in your life because after suffering from anxiety for so long, you tend to completely block out the good and hone in on the bad.
Lastly, after reading Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday, I wanted to include a Mantra that will rid me of any ego that shows up throughout the day. It goes like this:
I choose: Not to aspire or seek out ego
To have success without ego
To push through failure with strength no ego
Your journal does not have to follow this format at all. I changed the way I formatted my morning journaling over time. I still change it. But make sure you keep at it every single day because it is so beneficial.
The Night Journal
I keep the night journal nice and simple. I write down the breakthroughs I have during the day. What did you do that helped move you towards your higher self? Did you ride the wave of a panic attack and not run away? Did you perceive an event differently? Are you on no-fap and proud that you are on day 100? Whatever it is, write it down. I even like to write down another gratitude list. I know that, the energetic bodies we pay attention to, flows into our night sleep and even into the morning. So recognize the habits you partake in before putting our head down on that pillow.