Welcome to SUMMER JOURNAL 2025.
Today we are checking in on your journaling life? Do you have one? What does it look like? Does it seem to you as something as say, brushing your teeth, or is it more like a struggle, as in pulling your teeth? I mean brushing your teeth is a daily thing you do without much thought to a certain degree. You brush your teeth so you keep the teeth healthy and strong…what if I told you journaling is as important as brushing your teeth is for your overall health? Would you believe me? Let’s journal it!
There is ample evidence to support that journaling, especially in the form of gratitude journaling and expressive writing for post trauma, have physiological and psychological benefits. Beyond that, reflective journaling and specific modes of journaling related to learning and teaching have been found to support both instructors and students understanding. Early research in journal writing proved that immune system could be strengthened, and also that psychological evaluation could be better assessed through the use of journaling. Journaling continues to be the focus of many studies to expand upon and facilitate the details of prescribed journaling modes for specific outcomes.
What I can tell you from my experience of 40 years of consistent journaling- is that it is an activity which has helped me work through all aspects of life. Whether creative pursuits, jobs, struggles, loves and losses, faithful is the open book and blank page set before me.
A blank page has always been like an open door for me… I could write on about that thought, but I promised to keep these posts short. So, let’s check in on your desire to journal, and how it’s going for you.
Option 1: Jump off one of the prompts as you feel led.
- A new journal is like…
- How is journaling an open or closed door to you?
- When I plan to write in a journal regularly…
- Writing always causes me to…
- To me journaling seems like…
- A blank page before me is like…
- A journal is a place where I can…
- When I hear the word “journaling” I think…
Option 2: Write out ten journaling prompts NOW! Just a bullet list of 1-10, and write what pops into your head. No overthinking. You can do it. 1. , 2., 3., and so on. Try it. You will surprise yourself! Have fun with this one. I did this and turned it into a book- Journaling for Discovery and Delight!
Option 3: Limiting thoughts. Often what holds a person back is the way they are thinking about something. For instance, I have to do it a certain way or else it’s a waste. Rarely is this all or none thinking true. You can choose to use this with any area you have limiting thoughts, but for our exercise we are focused on journaling through limiting thoughts. Address your limiting thoughts in a dated post. Maybe you think I don’t have time to journal (pray, exercise, eat well etc. – see how we can do this with almost any area?). Now write out the question in your journal, “Is this really the truth?” Write your response on the paper. See if your inner cheerleader, BFF, or coach shows up and helps you clarify. Allow yourself to exhaust all the reasons and excuses and keep coming back to the truth question. When I was a kid, my seeking to find the truth exhausted adults. But, why? Keep asking yourself But, why, until you come to the real reason…and you might just find you talk yourself out of those limiting thoughts. Phew! Give it a ty, let me know how you do!
Option 4: If you are still thinking about my opening about journaling is to the health what brushing is to the teeth, I challenge you to journal about that thought – explore and respond anyway you like!
Happy journaling AND writing- however you show up on the page!
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Enthusiastically, Dawn 