It’s time to sit down to write in your journal. How are you feeling right now? Sometimes you are going to be in a negative space and just want to write out all of your angry thoughts, maybe in a brain dump or a stream of consciousness approach to your journaling. But for real reflections, you’re going to want to get into a positive headspace before you sit down and start writing.
Why should you be in a positive mindset for journaling?
Getting yourself into a positive mindset is going to make you more productive in your journal and self-reflection. It’s going to help you turn all of those negative thoughts into positives to help you feel better about situations that are bothering you. You’ll have a clearer head and may be able to more easily find solutions to those problems.
Express gratitude to find a positive mindset.
What is something causing you stress right now? Can you take a step back from the situation and find a positive? A classic example is having a stressful job. Something or someone is giving you fits. Positives are at least you have consistent income coming in. Or maybe overall you really do like your job and this is one difficult spot. I find myself doing that a lot when people are making me crazy at work. I growl about that person or situation that is giving me fits in that moment and then try to remember all of those aspects of the job that are why I keep on keeping on.
I’ll even write down those positive points about the job, so that when I am frustrated, I can just look at it to remind myself why I stay. And then I remember it is just a moment and doesn’t matter as much in the grand scheme of things.
You can find more gratitude by writing down each day something good that happened, a person for whom you are grateful, or even things that make you grateful. Start with just one each day and then challenge yourself to come up with three or five.
Do this and you are more likely to be able to figure out a solution to a problem. You’ll find yourself in a place of acceptance, gratitude, and mindfulness, which will make you feel better.
Take it easy on yourself.
You aren’t going to be the most positive person right off the bat. Working on writing in a positive mindset is going to take some practice. Remember, it can take 21 days to make a new habit stick. So when you are having a hard time, don’t give up. Just chalk it up to a bad day and misfire and start fresh on the next day. It’s okay. You will get there.
Want more journaling advice and a free workbook? Get a year’s worth of prompts and advice here.
