A journal is a wonderful tool you can use to help yourself as you move through the process of transformation and growth.
Keeping a journal is a way you can share your thoughts and deepest feelings, knowing there is no judgment being placed on you. It can help you understand yourself better as you open yourself to a new awareness of yourself. When we challenge ourselves to put our thoughts and feelings into words, it can help us gain clarity and sort our feelings out. This is true when you share with a trusted friend or counselor but becomes even truer when you symbolically serve in the role of befriending yourself by keeping a journal.
Keeping a journal is a meditative experience for me. My journal is a sacred space that helps me gain insight and connect with the wisdom of Spirit/Source. It has become a tool for deeper insight and understanding, an oasis for healing in my life.
Over the years there have been countless times I have sat down to journal when a problem or issue was bothering me. The process of writing helped me organize my thoughts and resolve the issue just by using the writing process. This has happened so frequently that I now associate a journal as a way of transitioning from the perspective of my ego/personality to the wisdom and insight of my soul. This is why I recommend a journal on a regular basis.
A journal becomes a record of your personal growth and healing – yes, even the tough stuff reminds you of how far you have come. A journal also is a way to look at your life through the eyes of a detached observer or witness. This is a powerful tool for gaining insight. When we understand the power of our thoughts, we gain a new perspective.
Try an Audio Journal
One of the challenges of keeping a journal is how time-consuming it can be. In our hurry-up, demanding world it is not always convenient to take the time to sit with our thoughts and write them down. This is the appeal of keeping an audio journal.
An audio journal entry is simply speaking your thoughts into an audio recorder. There are many free or low-cost apps to choose from on your mobile device that will record your thoughts. You can then store them in a cloud storage system or on a SD card (if you have that ability on your phone).
The Advantages of an Audio Journal
Keeping an audio journal has some advantages over keeping a traditional journal.
The advantages of an audio journal include:
- It’s quicker and easier than typing or writing by hand
- You usually keep your phone with you so it’s always handy
- You can record your thoughts while you’re doing other things like walking, gardening (my favorite) or cooking dinner
- You can replay your recording and listen to it later
Tips for Maintaining an Audio Journal
Here are some suggestions I’ve found helpful as a result of keeping an audio journal for a few years.
-
Choose the app that’s right for you
There are some really awesome audio journal apps available. My favorite is Day One (iOS and Android) but there are other ones to consider. The best apps are ones that are easy to use and uncluttered. Day One has so many great features – you can upload images or take a picture, you can integrate your account with your social media accounts (I like to save quotes I find), you can set multiple reminders and much more. I’ve also used Evernote because it integrates with my lists and saved content. Take the time to explore and try different apps to decide what will work best for you. When you find an app you love it makes it easier to journal.
-
Consider keeping a written journal AND an audio journal
Yes, you CAN have it all when it comes to a journal! Sometimes I prefer the visceral pleasure of writing in my beautiful hard-bound journal, using my favorite pen and drawing in colored pencil. Other times, especially when my schedule is full, I prefer to record an entry in my audio journal. You don’t have to sacrifice the sensuality of a traditional journal in favor of an audio file – unless you want to.
- Keep in mind what your future self will find most interesting and helpful
Sometimes you just want to talk about whatever’s on your mind – and that makes a perfectly good audio journal entry. But once you’ve made a few recordings and play them back, you begin to notice a pattern of what you find most interesting and useful. For some people, this might look like a mix of facts, thoughts and feelings. Retrospectively, I find it interesting to remember what was happening (facts) as well as why things were psychologically and emotionally relevant to me at the time. Of course, this may be different for each person. Just notice what you find interesting and helpful – both in the present and for your future self – and adjust your entries accordingly.
-
Keep recording your journal through different chapters and experiences in your life
As we go through the journey of life, there are natural endings and new beginnings. Don’t try to filter these different sets of experiences in your life. For example, you might have times of stability and times when things are fluctuating wildly. Try to capture different periods of your life by regularly submitting journal entries.
I notice I tend to journal more when I’m having challenging feelings. I imaging this is because, when things are going well, I’m busier and happier. Conversely, a negative mood tends to correlate with more spare time and more isolation. And, since recording a journal entry helps me clarify and relieves stress, I appreciate the therapeutic effect the act of recording has on me.
The risk of this tactic is that it creates a warped perspective when you look back. It may seem like things were worse than they really were. For this reason, I try to make an effort to include recordings when things are going well, even it’s just for 5 minutes. I want to remember the good times along with the difficult.
-
Titles and descriptions matter
It makes it easier to go back and find a particular recording if you’ve done a good job of creating titles and descriptions that you will remember. The best apps will store your entries by date, making them easier to track and review later.
-
Don’t over complicate your process
The whole point of an audio journal is that it should be simple and easy. Just open your app, click on the entry button and start talking. Keep it uncomplicated, fun and effortless.
Keeping a journal helps us gain a new understanding and compassion for ourselves. We can’t heal what we don’t see and being committed to recording in a journal over time will help you see the patterns that challenge you – and will help you find new and interesting solutions that you might not have discovered without your journal.
Regardless of the type of journal you choose, take a few minutes out of each day to ground your energy, center yourself and open your heart and mind to consciously choose to be in alignment with your Spirit/Source. A journal will enhance your life, bringing you greater freedom and fulfillment in your life.
In September, I am offering a two-day intensive retreat for brave, courageous people just like you!
This live event is the perfect place to make a deep and meaningful mind shift to a new, sacred part of your life and get much-needed answers to the questions you seek.
Join me – and a small group of people dedicated to connecting with one another on a spiritual level – at my upcoming Align & Amplify Live! Event happening September 28-29, 2018.
Are you ready to grow into the awakened being you are destined to become?
Join me in September – and hurry, slots are filling up FAST!