|
By: Doreene Clement
Whether you journal or diary now, or have never kept
a journal, you can keep a 30 day journal. Journaling for 30 days about
one specific topic, can support you in many ways. Recording your thoughts, feelings,
dreams, and desires, even recording just-the-facts, for 30 days is a powerful
tool. You can track your ideas and experiences, realizing both your joys and
your fears about a single topic. You can use this 30 day system for most topics,
and throughout your journaling.
In
Our Store
|
|
Think about what is happening in your life right now.
Then think about a topic you would like to track or record on a daily basis:
Your diet, finances, a relationship, a new experience, your job, a dream you've
always had, a change you want to make.
Getting started
Decide if you want to use the computer, a blank book,
a notebook, or sheets of paper for your journal. If you are writing,
pick a pencil or pen that is easy to use and is comfortable for you. Set aside
a time and place every day for your journaling. Make this your time for you.
You may or may not want to date your journal.
You can even include the time of day when you journal, especially if you are
journaling about feelings, health or diet. The time of day can affect our outlook.
For example, at certain times of the day we may have more energy or be more
tired.
Write as much or as little as you want. Some
days you may have more to write about than other days. There is no set amount
you need to write each day. Slow down as you begin to write and feel what your
thoughts are on that day about your topic. It may help to close your eyes, calm
your thoughts, and remember to breathe easily. Journaling
As you begin your journal, write what the topic is
that you have picked, i.e., I want to better understand my relationship
with my friend Betty, or I want to process my feelings about the passing of
my parents, or I want to know where every penny I spend goes.
Next state your goal about the topic, and then how you, at
this point in time, plan to resolve getting to your goal.
Example
- My Goal - I want to understand who Betty is. My Resolution - I will
write a list of my likes and dislikes.
Example - My
Goal - To feel my current feeling about my parents. My Resolution - I am going
to write my memories about them.
Example - My Goal - To better
understand what I spend money on. My Resolution - I will record every expense
amount, what it was for, and the day I spent it.
Every day, write 3 words that best describe
how you feel about your topic that day. Good, moving, curious Angry, confused,
frustrated
Every 5 days, confirm if your topic, goal,
and resolution need changing, and if so, change them.
Every 10 days, re-read your journaling and
write a summary of how you feel about the last 10 days of writing. After 30
days
Decide if you want to keep your journal, or dispose
of it in a safe way.
You may find that you have reached your goal and resolved
your topic before the end of 30 days. If so, stop journaling. Or, you
may find that you want to explore this topic further, so start another 30 day
journal. There is no set amount of time, 30 days is a guideline. Your time for
a particular topic may be 10 days, 45 days, 90 days, etc. If you journal several
topics, each topic can vary in the number of days. Journal until you feel complete
and supported.
Other articles you may find interesting:
How
to Recover From Bloopers, Blunders and Faux Pas
It's
All Up to You (Nobody is Coming to Save You!)
Soaring
On Wings of Confidence
Doreene Clement, a cancer victor and author
of The 5 Year Journal, is currently writing a new book, Blessed, about her life
and her cancer experience. For more information http://www.the5yearjournal.com
480.423.8095 info@the5yearjournal.com
*The articles published on this site undergo our review
process. We found the information in this article to be very useful and informative.
The source website does not necessarily reflect our website. We have linked
to them for your information only. |
