Topic: Journaling Challenges
When you journal, there are no boundaries.
You are free to write what you want and how much you want.
However, our brains crave routine and structure. This works in your favor when you are first developing a journaling habit. It can turn into a challenge once the habit is formed.
You may be surprised to look back in your journal and find that your entries are limited by more than your preferred format. That’s what happened to me.
Subconsciously, I set a boundary on how much I was writing each day. I rarely went over two pages. That included food, gratitude, intention, and thoughts from the day in a standard 8 x 5 journal.
What was holding me back? What kept me from writing more, or less, depending on my day?
I had set a boundary of two or fewer pages without thinking.
It made me wonder what thoughts I had missed out on clarifying, ideas I might have planted, or memories I could have recorded. Did I write about any emotions, or had I run out of room with my two-page boundary?
There are times when just one more sentence can lead to clarity, understanding, or an important detail. We must be careful not to let unintentional boundaries limit us when journaling. They are unnecessary and restrict the benefits we can receive from the practice.
Don’t fall victim to unnecessary boundaries. Write as much as you need for clarity, understanding, problem-solving, or memory.
Your thoughts do not have to be resolved in one journaling session. However, the more you capture when your experience is fresh, the more likely you are to feel satisfied with the session or to resolve issues in a future session.
Takeaways:
When you journal, you are free to write what and how much you want.
Our brains crave structure and routine, which can lead to unnecessary boundaries in journaling.
Boundaries may keep you from writing enough in you journal to receive the benefits.
If you journal, try this prompt:
Read over a past entry. Does your entry feel resolved? If not, what could be added, or what do you wish you had added? When you journal today, keep this question in mind: “Have I written enough for the entry to be resolved?
Do you feel like you need to start the day’s entry at the top of a new page like I do? Leave a comment and let me know.
Thank you for reading. Keep on writing!
Until next time,
✍️ Susan
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📰From The Pen’s Nib is my second newsletter. My first, Take Pen to Paper, is about gratitude and the good in life. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It may be for you.