Burn Your Old Journal Practice
There is a new way to think about morning journaling.
by: staci backauskas
When I heard a life coach talk about burning her journals, I literally felt my heart stop. Years and years of pouring my heart and soul onto paper – from expensive leather-bound diaries to dollar store composition books – and you want me to burn them? Blasphemy!
It took a few months, but the more I sat with the idea, I began to embrace it. Was there a point to memorializing my angst, fears, and anger? Because, let’s face it, most journals aren’t filled with tales of skipping through fields of daisies while sipping a martini.
What was I really holding onto?
So, I did it! Years of angst literally up in flames. It was one of the most freeing experiences I’ve ever had. I continued to journal but grew bored with my own “stuff,” so I stopped. But I really missed the ritual. I mentioned it to my therapist, and she suggested I do a brief morning check-in instead.
As I experimented, it felt like the Universe walked along side me, making suggestions and providing experiences that showed me there was more to it than a simple, “Hey, how are you doing today?”
Over the next six months, I developed a morning check-in process I could complete in ten minutes that focused on being honest with myself about how I felt and what I needed. This leveled up my self-care game in ways I never could’ve imagined, and eventually led to writing the book, The 10-Minute Self Care Journal, How to Level Up Your Self-Care Game in 10 Minutes A Day.
By using this journal as a tool, you can go at your own pace – do it every day or a couple of times a week – whatever feels good to you. As long as you’re consistent you will experience results that empower you to care for yourself at the highest level so you can live your destiny, not your fate.
For me, the point of journaling now is to connect with my true self. To increase the odds of showing up in life as the best version of myself, not only for me but for those who matter most. Using this journal grounds me, reminds me of what’s important, and empowers me to set and maintain boundaries that protect my mental and physical health.
