Where Do I Start?

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What is journaling? In March 1770, John Adams wrote, "The only way to compose myself and collect my thoughts is to set down at my table, place my diary before me, and take my pen into my hand." More recently, Oprah Winfrey was quoted as saying, "Keeping a journal will absolutely change your life in ways you've never imagined." What's the big deal? Why do so many spiritual practices and teachers recommend journaling? As Louise Hay, bestselling author of the book You Can Heal Your Life, once wrote, "It is so important for each of us to take that inward journey and discover what attitudes and beliefs we hold within ourselves."

I believe, as the title of this book suggests, that journaling can be used as a tool for healing and manifesting in your life. Perhaps you have never journaled, and you want some guidance about how to begin. Or maybe you have been journaling all your life and you want to go deeper with your practice. No matter what your past experiences with journaling, this book will meet you where you are and take you on a transformational journey. I will lead you through a process that I teach in my journalution workshops. We'll begin by cleansing the past, forgiving yourself and others, and getting clear about who you are and what you want. Then we'll move on to discovering your passion, developing your life vision, and manifesting the life you want.

In this first chapter, I will go over some information that pertains to a new journaler: what you need to get started; how to choose your own perfect journaling tools; where, when, how much, and lots of what if 's; and my personal approach to journaling. There are many journaling styles, and many of you have been journaling for some time; please always listen to your intuition. If something I am suggesting doesn't feel right, go with your gut. You know what is best for you. You are your own best expert.

Everyone has a different motivation for journaling. You may be dealing with an illness in your family or going through big changes in your life. You may want to use your journal for creative purposes, to discover your passion, or to begin a book of your own. No matter what your intended purpose, this book will give you a plethora of tools and ideas to make your journaling a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

Why Should I Journal?

The reasons we journal are as varied as the different types of journals piled high on bookstore shelves today. Journaling brings self-knowledge. Writing down your thoughts, venting your emotions about a problem or situation in your life, or just recording scribbles, poetry, inspiring quotations, and dreams brings you closer to who you are. It is a window into what is important to you.

You may have a particular intention for your journal. You may want to leave a legacy for your children or heal from a divorce. You may be working through an illness, or you may need to release emotions in a healthy way. You may be developing material for a novel or otherwise nurturing your creativity.

But you don't need to have a specific reason. A journal can be a companion, a best friend, a way to tap into your intuition, or a place to dump your emotions so they don't land on friends and loved ones. Your journal can be a way to clean out the junk in your head so you can focus on what is really important to you.

Ultimately, writing in a journal is an act of self-love. Your journal is a safe place to get to know yourself and discover who you are. It can bring clarity in a confusing world that bombards us with messages and images of who we should be, what we should want. A journal allows us to paint a picture of what we want our lives to be, and helps us love ourselves enough to create it. Your writings, musings, and doodles are a way to talk to your soul.

This book will be your guide on the journey into your soul. It may be a healing journey for you, as it was for me, or your journey may have a different purpose. Remain open, and trust that you have all the answers you need inside you. Believe me, you do have those answers, and this book will help you hear them.

Tools of the Trade

The Journal

Selecting a journal is the first step. You can plan a quiet moment for yourself and browse through your favorite bookstore for the journal that calls out to you. Or, in a moment of inspiration, you may grab the nearest spiral notebook, scrap of paper, or blank envelope on which to capture your thoughts. Some people prefer a larger journal because they write big. Some enjoy scribbling in tiny books that fit into their front pockets. Others like to use a huge artist's sketchbook as a canvas. Some people create unusual and beautiful journals by pasting pictures and drawings on the cover and throughout. The company Moleskine makes a legendary pocket journal that boasts a tiny hardbound cover and a hidden interior pocket. It is said that artists have used it for centuries — from Vincent van Gogh to Ernest Hemingway — and it is still sold in bookstores today.

Both lined and unlined journal pages are fully functional. Unlined pages tempt us to draw and doodle amidst the words, but some prefer lined pages because they can't write straight or have enough trouble reading their handwriting without the liberty of a completely blank page. Still others use their computers because they can type really fast; they find that they don't edit themselves as much when typing, and can let their thoughts fly out through their fingertips. For your consistent journaling practice, I encourage you to have something nearby that feels comfortable and works with your lifestyle and personality.

Some people keep separate journals: one for gratitude, one for dreams, and one for everyday matters. Or you might want to keep a travel journal, a nature journal, and a goal journal. Do what feels right for you. I write in only one journal at a time, and I write anything and everything. I like the idea of having a chronological record of everything that is going on in my life — the happy, the sad, the beautiful, and the ugly — all in one place. A workshop participant who was working with her dreams told me that she likes to write down her dreams in a separate journal so that she can recognize patterns that appear. Another woman told me that she keeps separate journals for each of her children, containing messages, advice, and stories about that child's life — a gift for later in their lives.

Dreamy Writing Things

Pens, pencils, markers, and glitter pens. Have you seen the aisle at your local office-supply store lately? The choices are abundant and tremendously...