Journaling.
That's right, I said it. Different from what you thought, maybe? I bet.
Each day I work, I have little routines that keep me in check -- I'm sure you have yours too.
For me, I get my favorite tea, turn on my office light, get my cozy purple blanket, and sit down in my comfy chair with my journal.
I start every workday this way. I won't go on to being productive until I get my mind right. Journaling allows me to do just that.
I want to share with you the template I've been using for decades now because I love it so much.
But first, the why behind journaling genius:
Scientific evidence suggests that journaling provides many unexpected health benefits. The act of writing accesses your left brain, which is analytical and rational. While your left brain is occupied, your right brain is free to create, intuit and feel. In sum, writing removes mental blocks and allows you to use all of your brainpower to better understand yourself, others and the world around you.
Motivated now? Me too...
Here's my daily template:
PART I -- Off load
This is where I write whatever the hell I fell like. I sit down, write whatever is on my mind: the good, the bad, the ugly and get it out on paper. It's stream of consciousness writing, really. Cathartic. Quick. Non-evaluative writing. It's usually about my life, my kids, people who are soul sucking right now, things I'm looking forward to, what have you.
Writing like this allows it to leave me, all these distractions essentially get out of my way because I've written them down and concretized them. Now I can get about the business of claiming my day.
PART II --I AM Statements
There is a saying:
Thought manifests as the word;
Word manifests as the deed;
Deed develops into habit;
And habit hardens into character
It's unclear who said it, but that's not the point. I feel strongly that the messages I say to myself, about myself, really matter.
So for this part in my journal, I write my I AM statement at LEAST 5 times. Over and over and over.
I am a bestselling author who has wait lists for all my retreats. I am a bestselling author who has wait lists for all my retreats. I am a bestselling author who has wait lists for all my retreats. I am a bestselling author who has wait lists for all my retreats.
When that shit manifests, I'll let you know. It's already on it's way to happening. I just know it.
PART III -- GRATITUDES
It is physiologically impossible to feel feelings of anger, frustration and depression at the same time as you're feeling gratitude. For this part, I list 10 things I am feeling grateful for IN THAT MOMENT.
Here were my gratitudes for today as an example:
-Healthy kids
-taking my mom out to dinner for her b-day with my bro last night
-my mom's face when she saw my brother come (we surprised her with him being there)
-the sun shinning outside
-going to Florida in 2 weeks!
-a meeting with an inspiring author friend
-a FULL day to work
-having cleaners
-my purple blanket
-my dear, old friend in town from NYC
-our new painting on the wall!
It's important to note that some of my gratitudes were small (purple blanket). It's great to be appreciative of BIG things in life, but it takes training to appreciate the small ones.
PART IV -- Manifest
This is a habit I picked up back in high school from a pretty journal I once had. The journal held these prompts and I continue to use them today.
I BELIEVE...
I DREAM...
I IMAGINE...
If we do not get really clear about visualizing what we're after, we cannot be disappointed when we never get anywhere. These prompts allow me to think big. It's just a dialogue between me and myself.
It sure is exciting to allow ourselves to dream, believe and imagine. Try it on for size.
So, there you have it!
What are your journal routines that you love? Have anything to add? I'd love to know! My relationship with my journal is ever evolving...
Deep love,
Brie
Want to dig deeper and get to know yourself even more? Then please..
March 16-23, 2019