I had a typical teenage diary - pink, glittery and padlocked.
One day, I left it unlocked, and my Mum read it.
She was outraged by confessions of kissing boys and skiving maths class.
Yet, it was a total violation of my trust and privacy. I didn’t journal again until I was 34 years old.
Journalling opened an inner world I had locked down for 21 years.
When journalling, we become vulnerable with ourselves. It exposes our self-criticism and shame. Yet, it’s also our gateway to a better life.
Without visually spewing our thoughts and feelings onto paper, they can stay stuck and fester inside of us.
With journalling, clarity appears. Answers to questions I’ve been pondering for weeks drop in unexpectedly.
It brings our intuition to the forefront.
My mind chatter is quieter. I have mental space.
Teenage diaries are the first form of journalling. This practice should be encouraged by all parents.
Allow your children to get to know and express themselves on paper.
And always respect their privacy.
6 Journalling Tips for Beginners:
Buy a nice-looking journal - No need for it to be expensive, choose a journal with some colour or a pattern you like and make it feel special.
(I often buy notebooks from Notely as they’re Aussie-made with sustainable materials)Lower your expectations - Journalling should be a pleasure, not a chore. Make the intention to journal daily but don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two, just start again.
Keep it simple - Write whatever you want to, like daily logs, To-Do lists, goals, dreams, your frustrations, ideas etc
‘I don’t know what to write’ - If you’re stuck with what to write, start by writing ‘I don’t know what to write’ over and over. More words will gradually start to flow.
Start a timer - Sometimes, if I don’t feel like journalling, I put a timer on for 10-15 mins. It feels like a short enough time to write when you can’t be bothered, but enough time to get some value onto the page.
Make it part of your routine - I used to do ‘Morning Pages’ where you write first thing in the morning. Now I try to journal before I go to bed. Fit journalling into your schedule in whichever way works for you.
Can we let ourselves age, please?
In Sydney, botox is a thing.
I only found out recently how much of a ‘thing’ it is when a couple of younger friends confided that they’d been getting it done for years as ‘preventative’.
I dislike needles, so voluntarily sticking them in my face has not been a priority. That’s not to say I haven’t noticed the first signs of aging since turning mid-30s. I’ve bought retinol serums and have tried red light therapy.
I have friends in their 50s who have never used botox and look fabulous, and people are often surprised when my Dad tells them he’s 70, as he looks ten years younger.
So, I’m in a moral pickle about aging. My idealistic mind wants us to all age gracefully and see the value in the years we’ve lived. But the other side of me (the ego) knows that my youthful appearance will fade, and I’m surrounded by nips and tucks.
In a recent Instagram video, Dr She Fali talks about this. She says it takes courage to say, ‘I will grow old as I am meant to’.
There is so much pressure on women to look a certain way - to be Instagram-worthy, yet this is not realistic.
Women have a ‘fear of not being beautiful’, fuelled not only by the lucrative beauty and media industries but also by ourselves.
I hope to age gracefully and accept the body I was born with so that I can enjoy life without worrying so much about my appearance. Of course, easier said than done, but I’ll try.
Watch Dr She Fali’s reel here »
Self-Care Tip:
Blowing bubbles is meditative.
Watching them float away is instantly calming.
This weekend, do yourself a favour: Get a Mega Bubble Wand and find your inner child.
Best wishes,
Joanna