Journalling has a meaningful and therapeutic impact on our reflective ability as professionals. In a world where so much is automated and digitised, the act of hand writing in a journal helps us to engage more deeply with our experiences, whether they be personal or professional. In effect, to write is to process our experience(s). The written word expresses our inner thoughts and feelings not just in the formation of words but in the crafting of words around our experiences, expressing in words our feelings, ideas, thoughts.
The physical and cursive writing of the actual words uses our limbs and fingers to shape letters as ink is drawn from our pen to leave its mark on the page in front of us. It is -if you will- a dream of conscious and sometimes unconscious stream through which our inner thoughts are translated, interpreted, shaped and reshaped as the words are formed.
There are many positives of journalling, but one in particular is the powerful effect of journalling our gratitude every day. This simple but profound discipline of journalling three things to be thankful for at the end of every day impacts our wellbeing and sense of self.
I try to journal every day, to commit thoughts and feelings to paper. As someone who loves technology, there is something very cathartic for me as I return to my fountain pen and paper journal form my inner most thoughts.
Try it! What can you be thankful for today?
Clinical Pastoral Supervision & Education 