If you are anything like me, then taking the time to journal every day is vital to your mental health and overall well-being. In fact, I could not imagine my life today without taking the time daily to journal and get my thoughts on the paper, however, it wasn’t always this way for me. I used to think journaling was a waste of time or something that frustrated me since I often didn’t know what to write. I never gave journaling a second thought until one day I found myself always stressed out. My nervous system was stuck in “fight or flight” and it was starting to affect my health and my marriage. I had to do something to balance out and my physical therapist recommended I start a journaling and meditation practice. So, taking their advice, three years ago I committed to my journaling journey and it has become a non-negotiable in my daily self-care routine for one reason; Journal Prompts.
Nothing quite gives me the clarity I need like diving into my thoughts. Having journal prompts every day in a guided journal setting absolutely changed the game for me! I love my journals and can proudly say I have completed more than I can count, however, one problem; they take up so much space in my office as storage once they are completed. I use multiple journals at a time with different kinds of guided prompts and this only adds to that problem. I knew there had to be a better way to get the same experience and I am so thrilled to share with you that I found the solution!
It’s called Journey App and it’s a journal and diary app that allows you to take different kinds of guided journaling programs for 2 weeks at a time and each program focuses on daily journal prompts. I started using Journey App as a way to save space but it also is serving as a good way to make use of technology instead of scrolling on my phone first thing in the morning. If I must use my phone when I wake up, then it is only to use the Journey App.
Along with being an app user myself, I am excited to be joining Journey as an external coach that can help guide you with daily journal prompts aimed at helping you regulate your nervous system and commit to your own overall self-care. Whether you are somebody that is just starting out or you are switching over to Journey App because you are interested in giving it a try, Journey caters to all levels of journaling so be sure to download the app and check it out!
Self-Care is the most misunderstood concepts especially when you have people shaming you that practicing self-care is selfish. Self-care is the furthest thing from selfish as you cannot pour from an empty cup. When you are running on empty and your nervous system is unbalanced, you are overstimulated, you aren’t sleeping well and eating whenever and whatever you have time for, you are doing your family and loved ones a disservice. They are essentially getting the discounted version of you and that is not fair them.
If this sounds like you, I challenge you to take the time to start showing up for yourself. Create a non-negotiable self-care routine that focuses on getting your nervous system balanced. The best way to do this is to create a morning ritual to start your day and your nervous system. Your morning ritual should follow these 5 steps:
- Do Not Touch Technology for the first 30 min to an hour after waking
- Go outside and breathe fresh air and let your feet touch the grass or soil and start to meditate, pray, or draw for at least 5 minutes
- Journal in a guided gratitude journal
- Move your body for at least 30 minutes
- Fuel Your body with blood sugar balancing foods such as high proteins, fruits, and vegetables
Repeat these 5 things every day for 30 days and see how your cup starts to fill up again. How the people you love start to notice and appreciate the change in you. Your soul is full, you are calm and less reactive, you are finally sleeping better, and you are conscious of when and what you consume which allows you to be present for the ones you love.
