Jump Start Your Life With the Keystone Habit of Journaling
You can transform your life with a keystone habit. A keystone habit is one that influences other aspects of your life. Journaling, a keystone habit, gives you access to your authentic voice. It can be a centering practice and a source of guidance. Stumped for this week’s blog, I am happy to share with you that using one of my keystone habits, journaling, the topic was revealed. Over the years, I have developed a passion for journaling because it helps me in every area of my life. For example,journaling through a divorce and single parenting I maintained a steadiness and clarity that would not have otherwise happened.
Journal and journey have the same root. A deeply personal experience, journaling gives you a chance to relate to the parts of yourself that are clamoring to be heard. By putting your thoughts onto paper- journaling becomes a tool of discovery which can be fun, interesting and informative. It can broaden your understanding of unfolding events, clarifying health, relationship, career issues and whatever else is on your heart/mind. Even 5 or 10 minutes a day of time spent journaling may bring to light surprising options.
Depending upon your intentions, the circumstances of your life and your proclivities, different styles are useful: reflective/contemplative, lists, work notes/accomplishments, observations, gratitude journals, responses to events, letters to a higher power just to name a few. If you don’t like or can’t read your handwriting ~~ no excuse, you don’t have to write! You can use online options. AND/OR, you can use colored pens, pencils, pictures and collage with paper.
To start, consider why, how and when you want to journal. Mornings can be good to set the tone for the day and before going to bed can be a great time for tying up loose ends of the day for a great night’s sleep. If you have concerns about privacy, there are many on line options to choose from. I prefer paper because doodling and glue help me to get to feelings and concepts that are illusive. You will discover what works for you when you engage this private time with yourself.
Additionally, you can journal with others. In 2016 I gave the workshop Wisdom Journaling: Journaling 
for Clarity and Connection at the AHNA Convention. Participants enhanced their personal discoveries by sharing with the group and having others listen without judgement to their journaling discoveries and process. My children and I had fun journaling together and they both use journaling today, 20+ years later.
If you need more convincing to begin your journaling practice, Judy Willis MD, a neurologist, and former classroom teacher explains, “The practice of writing can enhance the brain’s intake, processing, retaining, and retrieving of information… it promotes the brain’s attentive focus … boosts long-term memory, illuminates patterns, gives the brain time for reflection, and when well-guided, is a source of conceptual development and stimulus of the brain’s highest cognition.”
Maybe you are already journaling. Please share with us how you journal. What mediums you use and why? What do you enjoy about journaling? What are the benefits? How do you work with your need for privacy?
The Vitality in Progress: Healing and Preventing Burnout for Nurses, the 90 day program supports nurses in establishing 3 keystone habits. Journaling is often chosen as one of the practices in addition to being one of the tools used in the program. The early bird discount has been extended, so if you sign up in the next week, you will be able to not only get the discount, but get support in building 3 keystone habits for your life.
In the meantime, you might want to journal after participating in the
Free Virtual Connecting Weekly Call-in for Nurses Phone 712-432-3066 Pin 177444
Wednesdays 6:30-7:00 pm EST
If you want to jump start yourself with a challenge:
https://www.wholelifechallenge.com/journaling-10-minutes-lifestyle-practice/
How-can-i-keep-a-personal-private-journal-online
How-to-do-a-proper-self-review-and-identify-your-professional-pain-points-before-your-boss-does
keep-a-work-diary-to-minimize-mistakes-and-document-successes
How-to-harness-the-mental-and-emotional-benefits-of-regular-writing
When are you going to nurture your Self with a retreat?
A few years ago a friend and I decided we wanted to share a retreat and to deepen our friendship. We designed a schedule of meditation, walking, and listening to a series of talks by a healer we had heard of. We tent camped in a state park, in silence for a weekend. It rained the full weekend, and except for laughter, we maintained our noble silence and had a memorable, enriching and powerful shared experience of a deeper friendship.