Journaling

How many of you take the time to really write down your thoughts?

Do you know that journaling not only lets you "work" out problems but releases tension and gets the problem off your mind.

I started journaling about 10 years ago right after I had my first son. My husband, Brent, was in the military and I was very lonely. He was gone a lot on field exercises or overseas and I was alone with a baby. Most of the time I couldn't call home because at that time there was no such thing as unlimited long distance and we couldn't afford a computer so I was basically alone.

Oh I had a few friends but at that time I was the only one with a baby and all my military friends had a career or were going to school so they were usually too busy to talk or I just didn't want to tell them what was bothering me.

I went out and bought a nice journal from Wal-Mart and when things got to hard for me to deal with I started writing them down. Not only did I feel better but also I was able to think things through! If something was bothering me I wrote it down and didn't go back to read it for a week or more, usually by that time I was able to come up with a solution.

I would spend about 15 minutes a night "talking" to my journal. Telling "her" everything I wanted to talk to others about but since I was raised you don't air your problems out I couldn't tell some people what was really bothering me, so this was an outlet for me.

I would also write down sayings or quotes that I really liked and add that to my journal.

A journal can be anything you like it to be?you can rant and rave nobody but you will read it. You can problem solve; you can just ramble on and on nobody to judge you.

So go to Wal-Mart or find someone who sells blank journals and get one! It doesn't have to be anything fancy.

Here is what I like to do when its time to buy a journal:

I go and look for a cover that jumps out at me, is an expression of me

I then go look at the pens and purchase a pen that is just for my journaling, yep something special; it makes you want to write more believe it or not.

Start out your journal with the date you started it and where you live, this is especially important for years later when you look back in your journals. Next date it and write your first entry with why you decided to start a journal.

Take the time each day to write something even if it's a couple sentences, express yourself, and get everything off your chest!

Once a month re-read your entries to see if you have solved that problem, or to see how you accomplished a goal.

A journal is an extension of you, don't worry about what others will think, no one but you should be reading it. Let it all out, yell at someone that is bugging you, express your happiness about something that happened that day.

To get you started here are a couple topics that you may want to use in your journal:

Write down a couple things you like about yourself

Write down a couple things you would like to improve in your life, now don't just say I need to lose 5 pounds etc the point is to make a goal and believe you can do it.

Go through a magazine and copy down or paste into your journal a quote or saying you like then write about it. Tell your journal why you picked the quote or article to write about, how did it influence you? What was your first response? Did it make you feel happy or sad? Did it inspire you to do something different in your life?

If you are reading a book write a little bit about the book and why you thought it would be a great read.

Write down your goals for the week, and keep track of them. Did you do what you set out to do for that week; if not what can you do the following week to help you meet that goal?

Talk about the weather, be descriptive?don't just say the leaves are changing colors and it is cold outside, learn to be descriptive. SAY As I looked out my window today I noticed that the trees look like they are on fire, the air is crisp and the smell of autumn is in the air.

Talk about your kids, your hubby, your parents etc.

Talk about what you are doing in your business this week, how you want to grow, brainstorm ways to make it grow and what you need to do to help it grow.

If something inspires you to write, then write about it.

A journal is a wonderful thing to carry with you at all times, you can take that 15-minute break between practices with your kids and write down your thoughts and feelings.

Decorate your journal, if you go to a craft store and see stickers that you like by all means buy them and use them in your journal.

Touch base with your creative side again. Use stickers, markers, paints anything to express how you feel at that moment, who cares what you do its your journal and your thoughts.

For example when I am angry the colors that jump out at me are red and black it doesn't matter what I draw sometimes I just attack the page with red and black scribbles, sounds silly but it works!

Now that I have given you some ideas go get a journal and start out writing something everyday. Let your thoughts flow don't worry about spelling errors or what others may think if they should ever read it?reason I said that is when I first started journaling I was worried how I sounded or what others would think if they should read it. WHO CARES?

Rebecca White is a mom to 3 very active boys. Over the years she has learned in order to be the best for her family she needs to actively take time for herself daily. She has written an e-book called "Time for Moms-How one "Supermom" Learned how to revive her Body and Soul" http://www.supportformoms.com/time-4-mom s-ebook.html

---

Platform Development Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!

Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by... Read More

Dont Get Burned: Evaluating Script Writing Contests

Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More

Writing Business Letters That Get The Job Done

Despite the widespread use of e-mail in commerce today, traditional... Read More

7 Essential Letter Writing Strategies

Based on the feedback that I have been getting from... Read More

Writing IS a Business

Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job... Read More

Bird by Bird

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by marketing. First, there's so... Read More

Ten Quick Tips for Inexperienced Writers

One of the biggest problems that inexperienced writers have is... Read More

Reasons for Recording Your Life Story

1. No one else will do it for you.2. No... Read More

Good Writing

Good writing is like sex. Two people are involved ?... Read More

Writing with a Sense of Adventure

We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More

Starting a Local Writers Group

My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More

Tips For Better Writing

It is certainly true that we don't get a second... Read More

8 Tips to Get Publishers to Notice You

If your articles aren't getting published very often, or you... Read More

Freelance Writing: How Many Regular Clients Should You Have?

This is a tough question for every freelance writer. For... Read More

Spiritual Journaling

Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More

Business Writing: 10 Great Authors

Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More

Finding The Book Writing Resources, Tips, And Help You Need!

Writing can be more difficult that just compiling your thoughts... Read More

Another Way to Show Your Expertise: Write a Book!

Maybe you should write a book! This is not as... Read More

Have You Tested Your Theme Against Your Plot?

Creative Writing Tips ?How we usually begin the preparation stage... Read More

Dialogue Tags - A Study in Common Errors

Verb and SubjectIncorrect:"I bet you two had a fine time,"... Read More

Why Every Freelancer Should Have A Web Site

"Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the... Read More

Is The Theme Reinforced In The Ending?

Creative Writing Tips ?By now you should have an idea... Read More

How to Publish a Book: Key Differences Between Publishing and Self Publishing

For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More

Top Seven Essential Hot-Selling Points To Implement Before Writing Chapter One

Every part of your book can be a sales tool.... Read More

Get Creative In The Great Outdoors

Summer's here and the time is write for dancing in... Read More

Five Minute Miracles

FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More

Italics Part 1 - Do You Need to Use Italics?

Next time you're tempted to use italics for emphasis... STOP!"Why?"... Read More

How To Publish Your Own Newsletter

With the expansion and diversion of businesses, manufacturers, and even... Read More

Stimulate Your Sensebuds...and Wave Goodbye To Writers Cramp!

When you get stuck for ideas, and the words won't... Read More

When I Run Out of Ideas

I do on occasion run out of ideas for my... Read More

Top Ten Writing Mistakes Made By New Childrens Writers

Okay. So I'm not David Letterman. But I doubt if... Read More

Who Said That? Making Dialogue Crystal Clear

Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More

Writing the 8 WebCopy Headline Categories

My article this issue is an excerpt from a book... Read More