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One of the best methods of understanding your moods and emotions is by journaling on a daily basis. We suggest purchasing a special composition notebook and make journaling an important part of your self-help. Keep your journal in a safe, conveniernt place, perhaps in the nightstand. Some people prefer having a smaller notebook to carry in a purse or briefcase so they can jot down notes throughout the day.
Next, decide on two specific times when you won’t be interrupted to make your entries each day. Plan on spending a few minutes before your day begins and again last thing at night to write down your thoughts and feelings.
Where to Focus
Make your feelings and emotions the focus of your writing and don’t use your journal as a “things to do” organizer or a grocery list.
Write about your mood, fears, apprehensions and emotions when you woke up. Later, make a note if they stayed with you all day, got better or got progressively worse. Reflect on what improved your emotions or who or what brought you down. Write about which people lifted your spirts and who drained your energy during that day.
If you, like many people, have writer’s block or just can’t begin writing easily, here are a few sentence starters to help you begin. I enjoyed today because… I had a terrible day because… I got really irritated when… I felt wonderful when…
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Feel free to write in your own style, and try to write for a full ten minutes at least twice a day. You are on a journey of self-discovery and self-help. Reflecting on your daily experiences and how they affect your feelings and emotions will help keep you focused.
Plan on making journal entries every day for at least a month. Many people enjoy journaling so much they make it a lifetime habit. Take time at the end of the week or during your weekend to review your entries. Especially look for notations, situations or people that caused you to feel more emotional than normal. Do any of your notations act as triggers, causing unusual feelings or memories? Also make note of any unusual breathing, sleep or eating patterns. Do you experience one particular emotion more than others?
Road Map to Happiness
As you will begin to see, journaling takes you on a journey with yourself. All you are really doing is becoming familiar with the feelings you experience instead of pushing them aside. Getting in touch with your feelings, emotions and personal needs is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Let your emotions flow onto the paper so they don’t build up inside you.
Take notice of who or what gives you happiness or sadness, energizes or drains you. Emotions lead you in the direction of pleasure and away from pain or discomfort. Let your journal be your road map to happiness.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you into improving your life.
Review our Knowledge Base or the links displayed on this page for similar and related topics.