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The Importance of Journaling

In order to work on your mental health, it's important to take some time each day to write down your thoughts and feelings. You can use these exercises as a way to work through difficulties from your past, or with your current problems, in a safe space where you're only accountable to yourself.

Simply put, journaling is instrumental for a positive mental state. While all benefits from journaling are essential, It’s imperative we understand and emphasize self reflection as this is at the root of self love, growth, and many other needed attributes for a happy life.

Before you begin journaling for self discovery, you must first understand what self reflection is.

 What is Self Reflection?

Self reflection is a commonly discussed topic, but not always by name. You’ve likely seen a discussion on the matter while watching a talk show, heard about it while listening to a podcast, or read about it while reading a book. In all honesty, self reflection is a topic that has been discussed to the point of danger. There are many theories and definitions floating around that saturate the root of what is self reflection. Simply put, self reflection is the pivotal step towards self discovery.

Most of us support self reflection as an essential means to personal growth. However, I find it easier to define self reflection by outlining its process, which is undoubtedly one of the most difficult processes we must endure. It calls for you to look deeply within yourself. You must acknowledge, and in many cases, confront your behavior. This, in turn, often leads to rehashing old events that led to developing the behavior you now must recognize and alter. 

This process has no time constraints. Some are able to effectively reflect within minutes, while for others it may take months, years, or even decades. It’s also typically a recurrent process. This means a few missteps along this discovery mission are expected. It’s advised to welcome each error as a chance to gain more self knowledge.

Self-reflection is a powerful tool for mental health. It can be difficult to take the time to stop and think about what you're feeling, but it's important if you want to move past your problems and create change in your life.

 Self Reflection Journaling Tips

When you begin journaling on your journey towards self discovery, it’s important to understand what makes an effective journal prompt. Understanding this will help you to feel in control of what you write, and it will also help you draft your own prompts someday.

Make Your Prompts Open-Ended

Whether the prompt is a question or statement doesn’t typically matter. What does matter is how deep the prompt allows you to go. You want the prompt to be open-ended, as the key to self reflection is to be introspective. Yes or no questions are okay only if followed by an explanation. You never want to stop at the surface of any prompt because doing so will only limit your growth. 

Be Okay With Errors

Journaling with the purpose of deeply reflecting differs from merely journaling about your day. But never let this difference give you writer’s block! Your journal is only for your eyes to see. Even if you’re a perfectionist, understand and learn to be okay with errors. Each error is a unique part of your journey.

Start With Areas You Want to Grow

If you have limited time and/or just don’t know where to start, focusing on specific areas you want to grow in or are currently unhappy with will be a strong start. These areas could be your work life, your love life, your fitness life, or your social life. Start with what you know and you’ll begin to unravel the mysteries about yourself you have never vocalized. 

Keep Your Journal Close

Try not to lose your journals! One of the great values of journaling is being able to look back at the past and see how far you’ve grown. It can be very beneficial along this journey to reuse journal prompts months and years later. 

Dedicate Time

Lastly, because of the intense nature that reflective journaling can be, dedicate uninterrupted time to journaling. This can be as short as 15 minutes to as long as two hours. Invite focus. 

 Importance of Self Reflection Journaling

Journaling opens many doors towards healing, creativity, and organization. You are able to explore your hidden thoughts, intense or shallow emotions, work/life, and an abundance of other facets of your life and mind. The importance of self reflection journaling can never be understated. Whether at our happiest, saddest, or somewhere in between, assessing who are and have been will guide us to who we want to be. Hopefully you use this as a stepping stool to strengthen your journaling skills as you continue along your ever evolving journey of self discovery. 

Self Reflection Journal Prompts

Here are 15 prompts and self reflection questions that will aid in self reflection. Use/alter these prompts how they suit you best!