The Power of Journaling
Wouldn't it be amazing if you could begin your day ready to tackle whatever was on your To Do list? To feel prepared and organized to step on the path leading you closer to your goals and dreams?
Yet right now you feel like you have way TOO much going on, your brain is on fire and you're just not sure where to begin?
You're stressed out, overwhelmed, and losing hope that things will ever feel organized again.
I feel you. I really do.
A few years ago, I was bang smack in the middle of a busy season as a wedding stationer. The pressure was incredibly high, but I felt like for the first time I was a real business owner. (You know, one who is fully booked, needs to hire help, and is seeing money consistently coming into the bank account?! I thought I was killing it!)
But what people weren’t seeing was that on the other side of the “real business owner” title, was me getting up early and going to bed late. I was missing important memories with my family in order to complete projects. I wasn’t taking care of myself. I was crying at my desk daily and losing sight of why I started it all in the first place.
I felt like my life was being made up each day by the next urgent To Do.
I realize now I had too much going on, I lacked boundaries and my priorities were mis-aligned.
My mind was constantly bombarded with a barrage of thoughts, ideas, tasks, emotions, and to-do lists. Mental clutter basically hindered my ability to focus, stay organized, and effectively manage my life.
My clients and projects where important and absolutely needed to be completed, but I needed to figure out a way to manage my day, balance the personal and professional, and not let this type of overwhelm keep happening. Because it felt like it was killing me.
I needed to make a change and clear some mental space.
One morning I randomly opened a notebook and wrote out every thought, idea, concern, to-do, and reminder. I wanted to start making sense of the mess, but also free my mind from the weight of the ongoing stress.
I did what is now gaining popularity known as “brain dump journaling”
I still do this every single morning. I gift myself 5-10 minutes to journal out what is in my mind, without trying to make things look pretty and neat, and then I take what I’ve dumped out and I organize it all into manageable sections for work and personal, putting items into actionable tasks, setting boundaries for both myself and the people I interact with.
Over the years, I’ve seen this have a hugely positive impact on my mental health.
If you love the science backed info section of blog posts, stick with me. Below are 5 of my favorite benefits of journaling that I have personally experienced:
Mental Clarity: Taking a few minutes to pour out all our thoughts, worries, and ideas onto the pages of a journal offloads the mental burden and creates space for clarity and calmness, reducing stress and anxiety. Bam. That clarity and mental space I was after? Done!
Enhances Focus and Productivity: Freeing up mental bandwidth that can be better utilized for important tasks, journaling acts as a mental reset. It allows us to organize and prioritize, and concentrate on what truly matters.
Sparks Creativity: Often, our best ideas emerge when we let our thoughts flow freely, without judgment. It's a tangible outlet for our imagination, unlocking new insights and finding innovative solutions to problems.
Self Reflection and Personal Growth: Recording our thoughts, emotions, and experiences enables us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, our patterns, and our aspirations. By regularly reviewing our journal entries, we can identify recurring themes, identify areas for improvement, and set goals to work towards a more fulfilling life.
Stress Relief and Emotional Well-being: Writing has long been recognized as a therapeutic activity. By externalizing our thoughts, we give ourselves permission to acknowledge and process our emotions. It provides an outlet for emotional release, helping us gain perspective and improve our overall emotional well-being.
If you’re new to journaling and looking to give it a try, here’s my advice:
Find a quiet or calming space Choose a peaceful environment where you can concentrate without distractions. It could be a cozy corner in your home or a quiet coffee shop. I like to sit on my front porch and listen to the birds!
Set aside dedicated time Schedule regular journal sessions into your routine. I recommend daily, either first thing in the morning, or right before going to bed.
Grab a notebook While digital tools can be convenient, the act of physically writing helps strengthen the mind-body connection. Use a journal, a notebook, or loose sheets of paper—whatever works best for you. I once journaled on a coffee shop napkin because I was so stressed and needed to reset in the moment.
Set a time and write without judgment Start with 5 mins and remember that this type of journaling is a free-flowing process. Allow your thoughts to spill onto the paper and don’t stress about making things perfectly neat or coherent.
I filled up a lot of note books back then, but as I began my certification of becoming a coach specializing in overwhelm and burnout, I was inspired to design my own:
It’s the one I now use and she’s a an absolute beauty. With space to journal on one page, and a place to organize everything on another, it’s the perfect daily notebook to carry with you or keep on your desk.
I hope you'll give brain dump journaling a try and I truly hope you reap the benefits.
Rooting for you,
Chloé x
* please note that the information and advice I provide in this blog and in my capacity as a coach, are based on personal experience, education, and general knowledge. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner for personalized advice, diagnosis, or treatment related to any health concerns. My role as a coach is to offer guidance and support in areas such as lifestyle, motivation, and goal-setting, but it should not be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Looking to dive deeper? As a certified coach, I offer a tailored, focused, and results-driven approach designed to guide you away from overwhelm and into working from a place of inspiration and rest. Schedule a coaching discovery call and take the first step towards a more joyful you.