Journaling is not as complicated as some may make it seem. You don’t have to write your life story or a full essay as your first entry (unless you want to). There are multiple ways to use Journaling as a tool to enhance your daily life and mental health.

After losing my Eldest daughter Mariah 1 month before her 8th birthday I was filled with so much Grief to the point that I would isolate myself and mourn in a dark room for weeks at a time. One day someone bought me a Journal as part of a care package gift. I got to a point where I didn’t want my Husband & kids to be burdened by my grief because they needed comfort too. I pulled out my Journal one day, I started to write down affirmations & prayers for my Family & I to motivate & comfort myself. I spent a lot of time writing convincing & affirming to myself that I was okay. My journal acted as a place where I could repeatedly remind myself that I was, in fact, safe, regardless of what my mind was suggesting. My journaling naturally evolved over time and turned into a tool where I was better able to dive deeply into what was going on in my mind.

It became a habit & a blueprint that aided me on path to Healing myself.

Here are 3 simple tips for journaling

1. Affirm your goals

Magical things happens when you regularly write down what you really, truly, genuinely want in life—you actually start to get it. Great ideas hit you out of nowhere, and your mind urges you to take action on them until your goals become a reality. It’s a beautiful thing.

2. Journal 3 things you are grateful for:

Gratitude journaling can be done anytime , but from experience doing it in the morning before beginning your workday is most effective. Why? Because genuine gratitude reverberates into the rest of your entire day, setting off a domino effect of optimism with which you can approach your work, your clients, your family, and everyone else you cross paths with.

3. Check in with yourself and how you’re feeling

Checking in with yourself and assessing your needs helps you to pour into yourself so that you can pour into others. Oftentimes, we check on those around us but neglect ourselves. It’s beneficial because it can improve your mood, your energy, your relationships with others, and your productivity. Don’t be afraid to check in with yourself & write down how you have been feeling lately.

Your journaling routine may look different than mine—you may want to journal just a few minutes every morning, or set aside one big journal session every few days, but the point is to make it a regular part of your life. Creating a routine with your journal will set you up for success and can serve as a Blueprint to you your Purpose.