Journaling is like gardening. That was my big weekend thought.
I was finally able to get into my gardens this weekend for the first time this year. There was a lot to do: weeding, tilling, planting, mulching…
And there was a lot of time to think while I worked. Here’s what I came up with:
Journaling helps us cultivate the gardens of our brains.
Throughout the day, we pick up all kinds of thoughts - some are helpful to us, some aren’t. Our brains get cluttered and it’s hard for the beautiful ones to grow and flourish. Journaling helps us determine which thoughts are helpful and worth keeping, and which ones need to be plucked and discarded.
Sometimes, even when we’re only keeping the good stuff, it gets crowded in our gardens. Plants need to be cut back so they don’t get out of hand. Writing our thoughts, plans and memories in our journals preserves them so they retain their proper context and fill the spaces in our lives that we’ve allotted.
Transplanting - moving plants from one area to another - is a way to support and encourage growth, share with others, and create beauty. Journaling can do all of this. Small ideas grow larger and more clear as we journal, we find the the words needed to share with others, and we create a record of our lives, the big and small moments, that we can easily access and enjoy.
Timing is everything. Plants need water to grow, but there are particular times that are more conducive to watering - mornings, early evenings. There are times in our day that are more conducive to journaling. I love to start my day with journaling, using it as a way to take ownership and make plans for my day. Ending my day with journaling is great too, allowing me to work through the thoughts in my brain before I go to sleep. Mid-day and late evenings may work in a pinch, but it’s best to journal when we have the energy, time, and attention span.
Journaling beautifies our lives. It’s truly a mechanism we can use to become happier, more grateful, more confident, and step into our truest selves. Those passing by may admire who we’ve become, though they’ll never know how much hard work went into the process.
How are you using journaling to cultivate the garden of your life?
Weekly Journal Prompts:
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week.
How are you using journaling to cultivate the gardens of your life?
Do you focus on the weeds (negative or unwanted thoughts) or do you focus on the beautiful flowers you’re growing?
How do you know when it’s time to weed? Do you weed as you go? Or do you wait until the weeds have taken over your garden to pay attention and take action?
Which areas of your life need more tending?
When is the best time for you to journal? When can you commit time to it as a regular part of your routine?
What are your favorite tools and techniques for making journaling easy and effective?
Which tools and techniques do you want to try?
What beauty have you brought into your life through journaling?
Who has noticed?
Who has benefitted from the beauty you’ve cultivated?
One Journaling Idea I Love:
Pick a time, any time! And stick with it. Having a scheduled spot in our routine is a great way to help ensure consistency with journaling. I make journaling part of my morning routine (I get up early, exercise, get the kids off to school, and then journal before work), and it can be worked into an evening routine as well. WHEN you journal doesn’t matter so much as that you make time for it consistently, so choose a time that works best for you.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Where You Can Find Me This Week:
Own Your Expertise with Emily Crookston - Watch the video here.
I’m going live on LinkedIn with Katie McManus on Thursday, April 21 at 7 pm Eastern.
I share journal related content on LinkedIn every day by 8 am Eastern. Visit me there for stories, journaling ideas, and more!
I have a website! Visit me at GoodThingsComeToThoseWhoJournal.com
I’m always reachable by email.
My teenagers are doing their best to avoid me on TikTok…
Need more journal prompts at your fingertips? I have a collection of more than 375 that I’ve curated that can be yours. Find them here.
Interested in Working with Me?
Need help designing a journaling routine that works for you? Looking for ways to freshen up your practice? Have questions about journaling and the role it can play for you? Want to bring a journaling workshop into your workplace? Please reach out! I love helping people just like you work magic in your lives through journaling!
Happy Journaling!