The Benefits of Clear Mind Journaling
5 years ago, I was bang smack in the middle of a busy season as a wedding stationer. The pressure was high and I felt for the first time like I was a real business owner. You know, one who is fully booked, needs to hire help, and seeing money consistently come into the bank account?!
Well, on the other side of that “real business owner” title, was me getting up early and going to bed late. Missing important memories with family in order to complete projects. Not taking care of myself. Crying at my desk daily. Losing sight of why I started in the first place.
I felt like my life was being made up each day by the next urgent To Do.
Sound a little too familiar? Keep reading!
I realize now that I had too much going on. I was overwhelmed and I just wanted to get my head above water.
I needed some clarity.
In today's fast-paced world, our minds are constantly bombarded with a barrage of thoughts, ideas, tasks, emotions, and to-do lists. Mental clutter basically hinders our ability to focus, stay organized, and effectively manage our lives.
But, there is a super simple, yet powerful technique to help us gain clarity, reduce stress, and enhance our productivity. It’s something I began doing 5 years ago and continue to do today.
The answer?
Clear Mind Journaling.
Clear Mind journaling is what you may have heard referred to as “Brain dumping” - a practice that involves transferring all the thoughts, ideas, and tasks from your head onto paper. A form of expressive writing that involves free writing, without worrying about grammar, structure, or coherence.
The practice produces a bunch of benefits, but my favorites are:
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.
Enhanced Focus and Productivity: Freeing up mental bandwidth that can be better utilized for important tasks. Clear Mind journaling acts as a mental reset, allowing us to organize and prioritize, and concentrate on what truly matters.
Sparking 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.
Now, I'll be honest, I didn’t know of all the benefits when I began the practice, I just knew it made my overwhelm feel a little more manageable. I was able review my scribbles, see what was really weighing me down, and begin making changes to lighten the load.
Ready to give it a try?
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 in your routine. I recommend daily, either first thing in the morning, or right before going to bed.
Grab a pen and paper: While digital tools can be convenient, the act of physically writing helps strengthen the mind-body connection. Use a journal (like our Clear Mind 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 Timer 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.
Clear Mind journaling a simple yet transformative practice that can have a profound impact on our lives. So grab a pen and paper, and embark on this journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Your future self will thank you!
Rooting for you,
Chloé