Positive and Productive Journaling

Many of us have used journaling to express our innermost heartfelt joys, sorrows, secrets and disappointments. Journaling is a way to release emotional buildup when we don’t know how else to find solace for our souls. And though journaling is a very useful tool for that release, it can also be used as a catalyst for change in our lives.

Most often when we journal, we only use it to vent or express ourselves, but when we use positive and productive journaling, it can also shift our perspectives, our focus and even the direction of what we do next, which can then provide a better sense of control in our lives and possibly create a new and better outcome.

So, what is positive and productive journaling? It’s the simple concept of adding action, or possibly solutions, to what we journal about.

Actions and solutions can be anything from looking at our situation with a new perspective or making a conscious choice to do something different.

Sometimes, that might even include an attitude adjustment, so we aren’t stuck in a negative mindset, or bravely looking at our hurt and choosing to focus on gratitude for the good that is still in our lives. Or, even getting up and exercising to get the feel good hormones activated, which can help boost our mood immediately, as well.

There may even be a valuable lesson within your writing. Maybe even a hint of an idea that you might need to take responsibility for at least a part of why you are hurting. Might an apology or understanding for someone other than yourself be something worth visiting?

No matter the reason for our hurt, all of it is in God’s hands and yet, he allows us to choose what we are going to do with our circumstances. Do we wallow in it and stay miserable, or do we get up and do something about it so we feel a little better?

Our brain needs positivity to rest, to recover, to heal and to thrive. And when we feed our brain positive things, even when we are hurting, life won’t feel so overwhelming and hopeless.

So, the next time you find yourself expressing your heart and soul in your journal, before you close the book, look for something beautiful in your writing. Look for something you can do about what you are feeling down about. Pretend you are a loving friend who wants to convince you that there is still good in this world, and she wants you to find it. And then write about that, too.

Taking action to recover from pain is the most healthy and rewarding thing you can do for yourself. Even if at first, you need to crawl under your blankets and disappear for a bit. That’s okay too. Just don’t stay there.

Because your pain needs to be validated. And it’s normal and okay to have feelings and emotions. Just don’t let those things direct how you show up in this world. Let them out, and then wrestle them into submission so that the most beautiful part of you can rise and come forth.

You are not defined by your hurt. You are defined by what you do with it.

And when you choose to give them to the Lord and take positive and productive action, he will most certainly guide you to a place of peace.

I promise, you are worth it to Him. And change is on the way. Stay Faithful.