REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE

JOURNAL QUESTIONS
Understanding negative emotions

The daily journal practice is a wonderful part of any Self-Discovery program.  There are many styles of journals to choose from and many ways to journal. There is something very soothing about pen and paper. Especially in today’s world of laptops, phones and tablets, writing provides a contrast to life in the modern world. It is like writing a love letter to yourSelf!


Many of us who journal began when we were working on something personal or needed a place to dump our feelings that was safe and private. “Dear Diary” anyone :)? But the practice of daily journal entries as it relates to self-discovery is like keeping a logbook on an adventure. You can pick a specific time to journal daily or (especially in the beginning or during challenging times) some prefer to keep their journal with them and make entries as thoughts/feelings come up. So pick up your journal and get started on your adventure. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Morning Pages - this is a method used by many writers to remove blocks. It is a simple method that gets the creative juices flowing. Here’s how:  open your journal to a fresh page, put the date at the top, set your timer for 5 minutes and then begin to free write. Don’t worry about punctuation, spelling, grammar or any structure. You can even draw, circle thoughts, underline. Just be free and write. When the timer goes off stop finish the thought and stop immediately. Close your journal until the next morning pages session. It is fun to look back, watch for patterns, themes. Don’t judge just observe.

  2. Inquiry Questions - this method involves journaling around a question (see the list included to get you started.)  Simply pick a question and answer it. As you get better at observing your thoughts, feelings and actions - questions will come up via self-inquiry. For example: why am I feeling anxious? Why am I having that thought about that person? Does that activity bring me joy? 

  3. Track Progress - the journal can be used during a specific time period for a specific goal(s). For example:  Setting an intention to practice daily meditation. You might write a reflection in your journal after each session. 


The main thing about the journal is it is about YOU. It is your personal log book of thoughts and feelings. It gives you a voice and a safe place to track YOUR observations of YOU.  Self-observation is the beginning of freedom from mind-identity. Become a witness, rediscover your heart and find peace.