Are you feeling stuck over the first lines you’re going to write in your journal? Or you’re wondering how to write your thoughts and do it consistently? Do you know how to examine yourself and your thoughts using your journal? This post is for you.

Journaling is a great way to release stress and process our thoughts and emotions. Unfortunately, to everyone is keen to do it, especially if they’re clueless about how to start writing their entries. What thoughts should they share? What realizations or events? Would it be safe to write it in a notebook? After all, a journal is where you record what happened for the day, your thoughts, your emotions, and every detail that you need to process.

Before we proceed I’d like to apologize it took me a while to write follow-up content to my Journal Writing Series. I’ve been pretty busy plus there’s my internet struggle, but here it is! TADA!!!!

Also, before I further proceed, here’s a bit of a reminder– FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

What I’m about to share are tips and questions which I personally used during mentoring sessions and my journaling journey. I realized that maybe this could help you start your journal writing too.

Address it to Someone

I used to write “Dear Diary” in my journal until I got sick of it and thought it was so overused. Writing a journal is personal and it requires you to acknowledge it as your outlet — where you can say anything and everything without fear of being judged. I used “Dear Doodles” too but that didn’t work out—until I started using my journal as my love letter to God, therefore starting my entries with “Dear Father” or “My Lord” and even “Abba Father”.

Writing “Dear God” has helped me become more open in writing my reflections and prayers. After all, since God is all-knowing why not just open it up to Him.

If you’re going to write in your journal, try addressing it to someone whom you trust (or will trust) wholeheartedly. It can be your future spouse, your guardian angel, or God (although I prefer God and this is not being religious but rather practical — HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!). Doing this keeps you focused and can help you really have someone (even if it’s just the journal you’re writing on) to talk to.

Oh, and if you plan on writing “Dear Future Spouse”, this can be a romantic present one day.

CREATE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS YOU CAN ANSWER
But to start, you can answer these questions…

Here are some questions to help you get started in writing (especially if you’re not the type to start your journal with a “Dear…”). Of course, I encourage you to one day create your own series of questions, especially one that works for you.

Guide Questions When Reflecting on Your Day
This is something I personally use, not just for my own evening reflection but also when mentoring someone.

What is your highlight from the day?
– The things you are thankful for.
– The lessons you’ve learned.
– Basically, anything that just had a positive impact on you…

What is your lowlight from the day?
– The things you’re sorry for.
– The things that bummed you.
– The mistakes you or others have committed? (but mostly your mistakes of course… We’re not in the business of blaming others)

What is that one thing you learned today that if you practice it, can give you peace and potentially bless others?
– From your highlights
– From your lowlights
– From everything in general…

Guide Questions to Help You Process Frustrations

Why do I feel frustrated?
– Did someone let you down?
– Did you let someone down?
– Did you let yourself down?
– Did you fail to meet your goal for the day?
– Did you see something that reminded you of past hurts or embarrassing moments or of your “what ifs”?

Identifying why we feel frustrated matters. You cannot address any issue without admitting to yourself you are and that something (or someone) caused it.

How can I WISELY deal with this?
– If someone or an event frustrated you, how should you respond to it?
– What parts are easy to forgive?
– What parts are difficult to face?
– What do you really want to say or do when you felt frustrated?
– Would it be wise if you do it?
– What would be the possible result if you do it?
– Would it be wrong for you to do it or would it be right?
– If it’s right of you to do it, is it wise?
– How would you feel if you caused trouble to someone instead of you being a victim of that circumstance?
– What would you advise someone if they were in the same situation as you?
– What would Jesus do? (If you’re a Christian, start it with this one)

Please note that I emphasized “wisely” and didn’t say “correctly”. It’s important to identify what triggered your emotions, whether it was someone or something’s fault or it’s your own. You may have said or done harm not only in actions but also in thought —and this can either be directed towards someone else or on you.

What lesson should I learn from this?
– What is that one thing that if you do differently will give a positive difference to what caused your frustration?
– In which situations can you apply this lesson?

In every situation, there is always a lesson. Don’t kid yourself that there’s none — the lesson is usually subjective for every person and should contribute to one’s growth (and should be based on facts).

Guide Questions when Reflecting on a Decision
– Is it wrong?
– If it’s not wrong, then it must be right but…
– Is it wise?

I learned this a few weeks ago from a webinar our accountability group watched. These guide questions were shared by Ptr. Jo Bonifacio and his wife Ms. Carla, when they spoke about making decisions and taking action. When a decision is wrong, then it’s sure to be right—however, not everything right is wise…

THERE ARE NO WRONG OR RIGHT ANSWERS…JUST THE NEED TO BE HONEST AND OPEN

When you journal, you open up yourself to the possibilities of a better future — by opening up yourself to being corrected, facing rejection, dealing with fear, and getting scared. It’s okay. What matters is you opened up and started releasing it instead of keeping it and sometimes not knowing how and when will it explode.

Journaling is an art. It helps us acknowledge and be mindful of our own thoughts and emotions. It’s also a way for us to face these so we can manage them better— after all, it is not our feelings that should lead us but rather we should lead these instead.

I hope this series has helped you start your journaling. Of course, knowing that I love this topic, especially recently with all the productivity and personal development and Bible Study related videos, podcasts, and audiobooks I’m streaming, this won’t be the last. Perhaps I can make an eBook out of it (what do you think? haha).

Thank you and share with me your thoughts! Perhaps you have something helpful to share too, please leave a comment or, if you have questions email me at msjenjimenez.ph@gmail.com. You can also visit my Instagram to send me a message. God bless you!

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