"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -- Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 1986
Does anyone else feel that January is off to a fast rolling start?
My occasional anxiety with time passing comes from one of a few things ~ fear of change or letting go, disappointment in not having accomplished much during that time, or not having appreciated the time while I was in it. While all of these are seemingly different concerns, I have found that journaling is the best first (and continuous) step in approaching them all.
Journaling allows for intentional self-reflection and processing of emotions that can otherwise go unrecognized. When I notice an emotion weighing me down, sitting with a pen and paper helps empty my mind, and occasionally, my heart to examine the emotion is rooted. So if I am fearful of change or having to let go of something, writing out my concerns is a way to process those concerns in a concrete way that's more productive than ruminating through thoughts.
Journaling has also been pivotal in helping with many of my wellness challenges and in accomplishing my daily goals. It helps me troubleshoot when things aren't working out and reflect on my wins and successes. Or if I haven't been working towards any goals, and I feel a sting with the passing of days, it helps me point out what I wish to accomplish with my finite time on this earth.
In addition to examining our emotions and strengthening self-awareness, journaling also creates space in our day that allows time to expand and even slow down. When we carve out time for journaling, we permit ourselves to step out of the hustle and bustle of life, which is the core of our distorted perception of time flying by. But like Ferris Bueller pointed out, all we must do is stop and look around, so we don't have to feel like we're missing out on life.
Journaling can also significantly increase our satisfaction with life if we use it to practice gratitude. When I journal about my day, whether it's in the morning and my plans have yet to occur, or in the evening and I am reflecting on what has already passed, musing on my day and expressing thanks for all that it has been or will be filled with, reminds me of how blessed I truly am and is a powerful reminder of the abundance in my life. How could I ask for more time when my day is filled with so many amazing things?
Journaling prompts to get you started -
Write about what happened throughout the day and any surprising or expected emotions you felt.
Write about what you're most looking forward to that day and why.
Write about a recent instance or interaction hanging heavy on you, and ask yourself open-ended questions about it to learn more.
List all the things you are grateful for from today, the past week, or the past month. Keep writing until you are overcome with gratitude.
Write out what you wish for in the coming week or month.
Write about goals you hope to achieve throughout the year and how you might accomplish them. What would it mean to you if you achieved them?
What do you wish you achieved last year but were unable to? Is the goal something you genuinely want to achieve or someone else's goal you thought you should have, too? If it is something you wish for, how can you make it happen this year?
Write about goals you have accomplished in the past. Seeing your previous accomplishments can be a powerful motivator for continuing to work towards more goals, as well as an inciteful way to see how you were successful.
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