I Start Wondering Conversation: Journaling as Life’s Compass

Editor's Note: This week's post features our latest podcast, I Start Wondering Conversations. We hope you'll enjoy this 17-minute conversation and also check out our previous podcasts, which currently are available on our YouTube channel.

Women have stories that have accumulated from every phase of their lives—and there’s something special about taking the time to put these thoughts, events, ponderings and feelings down in writing through journaling.

You can watch or listen to this conversation through clicking on this YouTube link:

Shownotes:

• As a girl, we might have kept a diary, a rudimentary form of journaling that we may still have. As we examine our girlhood diaries at this phase of life, some of the information may seem mundane, but these pages also may contain key milestones, like meeting a future spouse.

• Sometimes we may choose to go back and read information from our earlier diaries or journals in our spare time, which can spark our memory.

• The mind is intuitive, which helps us record information that we want to recall in a way that is relevant and meaningful.

• Previous generations who journaled may have served as our inspiration for starting our own journaling practice—and we can do the same for others through our own personal stories.

• Writing these stories can help us see patterns that we can then reflect on and determine if there are areas of life that we want or need to change.

• Journaling also provides an opportunity to practice gratitude for the blessings in life. Research has shown that gratitude has the ability to affect the mind’s chemistry and ultimately improves quality and quantity of life

• Journaling can take on so many different forms, whether through contemplative writing, describing day-to-day activities, or using prompts. Using a variety of these forms allows a woman to look at different aspects of her life.

• A prompt or question can help spark the mind when faced with a blank page.

• Women who often are juggling multiple responsibilities in life may not think there is time for journaling. However, journaling doesn’t need to take a significant amount of time. 

• A woman can journal in short spurts of time, such as five minutes. Often these short journaling experiences can benefit from journal prompts that can guide the reflection.

• Journaling can lead to surprising revelations from the psyche or emotions. The mind’s thoughts often flow in different ways when one is writing.

• Some women choose to journal at a set time of the day and have specific rituals they use as part of their journaling process, such as using a specific type of pen, listen to specific music, or enjoying a cup of tea.

• Some women use multiple journals or specific types of journals so they can capture their thoughts throughout the day. Taking time to capture experiences — whether that’s a sensory event or an a-ha moment — are important in today’s fast-moving world. 

• Reflecting on our past and where we are today through journaling can keep us from becoming stagnant in life.

Featured on This Podcast: 

• Brenda Riojas, I Start Wondering columnist, is a poet, journalist, editor, mother, wife, creative spirit, and citizen of the world. She is currently the diocesan relations director for the Diocese of Brownsville.

• Lydia Pesina, the director of the Diocese of Brownsville’s Family Life Office, is a lifelong journaler who leads marriage retreats and workshops, as well as sessions on grieving.  

Resources: 

I Start Wondering column:  Panning for Gold: The Power of Journaling