Pages of Enlightment
Journaling as a tool to reflect
Journaling is my go to place to reflect about how I overcame the daily obstacles in my life and the lessons that I gained from it; it encourages feelings of gratitude towards my Creator.
It is also an outlet for self-expression and therapists recommend it as a method of healing and self-discovery. Advanced healthcare practitioner and founder of AJO Wellness, Dr Olabisi Emenanjo says journaling helps us understand who we are, how to process our feelings and helps us to get to know ourselves better. “Before you start journaling you have to be present, and be mindful of what you are writing. Journaling helps with our overall well-being, especially if it comes to alleviating stress. Part of the brain releases chemicals-either dopamine or serotonin-when you start writing, which combats anxiety. This is how your mood is uplifted, “she says.
Journaling at night is something I often do, to declutter my mind of all the distractions and to plan for the next day. As you approach your aspirations for the rest of the month or for the rest of the year, know there’s a whole world of journaling out there, where you can monitor your headspace through the written word. Happy writing!
TYPES OF JOURNALS
Gratitude journal – helps to focus your thoughts on what is good in your life. Jotting down 5 things you are grateful for each day will help you focus more on what is positive in your life and less on the negative.
Example:
Gratitude journaling: Today I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been blessed with to help people live healthier and happier lives. I am grateful for having a family who loves me and supports me in whatever I aspire to do.
What are you grateful for Right now?
Time capsule - a collection of ideas, sketches, magazine clippings and images from all over the years is the perfect way to create a visual legacy for your family
Nature journal - this journal allows you to capture what you observe in nature. This will be as simple as picking up a leaf or flower that attracts your attention and pasting it in your journal or taking a photograph of a beautiful view on your nature walk and pasting it in your journal.
Travel journal - if you travel often or are planning a big trip, then this journal would be to perfect way to capture your memories
Morning pages - when you wake up in the morning you grab a journal and write, this type of writing is called stream of consciousness writing, where you just let all your thoughts flow out, much like they run through your head.
Health journal- to keep track of your doctor’s appointments and the name of the medication you take, and when to take them. You can also record your symptoms, you’re eating habits and your sleeping pattern that might be helpful to relay to your doctor during your next visit.
OTHER - writing down your thoughts and reflections of verses from a book you are currently/always reading such as QURAN/BIBLE/BOOK OF CHOICE
It can be done in various layouts, from a simple bullet- journaling type of form to a creative work of art. Whichever the style, the process is to help you to deeply look at the meanings and messages behind the verses in your book of choice and to make connections.
How you journal is up to you, you can free flow by writing what comes to mind or you can have a writing structure ,but you have to find what works for you. Mindfulness journaling is a space to PAUSE, take a DEEP BREATH and reflect on your BLESSINGS, so continue to do so throughout the journey of life!