Have you ever felt confused with your thoughts or unsure about your decisions? Too many thoughts racing through your mind, or on the contrary, complete emptiness when facing an unusual situation... When you find yourself in such a situation, it becomes very difficult to think clearly. Fortunately, there is a simple method: the journal of reflections!
What is a journal of reflections?
Diariste is a fantastic place for discovery and sharing, where the topics are as diverse as personal diaries themselves. Many people simply write about their daily lives, while others prefer to focus on a specific aspect of their life by deciding that their personal journal will be a travel diary, a journal of reflections, a food diary, a school journal, or even a combination of these thanks to the possibility of having multiple journals on your Diariste account!
So, how do you use your journal on Diariste? Perhaps you are still exploring, and I'm here to help by presenting you with an example of a journal you can keep on Diariste today.
Why Keep a Journal of Reflections?
From confused thoughts and with a simple method, you will be able to take a retrospective approach to yourself. The journal of reflections offers many psychological benefits, such as reducing anxiety, gaining a clearer view of future possibilities, better understanding your emotions, and even practicing mindfulness.
Does it seem unbelievable that a simple journal can have such a positive impact on your mental health and lifestyle? Let's explore this together!
Giving Meaning to Your Experiences
The main difference between a journal of reflections and a regular diary is how you write about your experiences. In a journal of reflections, you should allow your mind to wander as you write down your thoughts and try to identify the source of your emotions.
By taking the time to truly understand how you feel, what you think, and why, you will give meaning to your experiences. You will have the power to evaluate your life choices and relationships. This will allow you to connect with what psychologists call your 'wise mind,' where you balance your emotions with reality. Writing this type of journal may also be beneficial to share with your loved ones, your confidant, or others to deepen the results of your analysis.
Writing is therapy. With all your thoughts and reflections organized in a precise manner, you can gain a new perspective on your life.
Improving Your Mental Health
Writing will also help you remove negative thoughts from your mind. By taking the time to reflect on these thoughts and understand them, you will experience less daily anxiety.
Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a mental state in which you are fully present in the moment. It may be confusing to say that by being fully aware of the present moment, you can reflect on your past, but it is indeed the case because when you take the time to think about your thoughts and put them on paper, you are in touch with your emotions and ideas in real time. This is what we call mindfulness.
For decades, psychologists have asserted that mindfulness is very useful for improving mental health, as this connection with your own lived experience gives you the best chance to make informed decisions.
How Do I Write a Journal of Reflections?
You can start by writing about a situation where you felt uncomfortable or perhaps a thought that causes you anxiety. Choose any topic, preferably the one that is most prevalent in your mind. Once you've chosen your subject, write as much as you want. List the facts and your emotions.
Next, you can begin your analysis:
Ask yourself why:
"Why do I feel this way?"
"Why do I think this?"
"Why did I react like that?"
Ask yourself how:
"How could I have responded differently?"
"How can I change next time?"
"How can we communicate better?"
Pose as many questions as necessary until you've answered all the questions running through your mind. With time and practice, you will become better at self-evaluation.
On Diariste, you can write as much as you want, let go of your thoughts... tell it all, and do so in complete privacy. And why not share them with your confidant. Create your own outlet in complete security, shielded from the view of others, and accessible from anywhere for you.
If you are accustomed to keeping a journal of reflections, we would be delighted to read about your experience in the comments section below and hear your advice or ideas for maintaining this type of journal 😉.