Journaling for Happiness
Has journaling become the new elixir for happiness?
Research studies suggest that writing in a journal can help you reduce stress, anxiety, and overall boost positive thinking. This makes a great deal of sense—writing is fabulous. It can be an extremely powerful way of guiding you to process your feelings, and helping you focus on the beauty and joy in your life.
Dive in to discover a few ways to journal for more joy!
#1: Set a positive intention for the day.
Setting intentions can be super effective, especially if they’re written down. There’s something quite magical about the process of placing words on paper. They’re no longer simply ideas in your head—things that you’ll maybe do—as now they’ve become tangible and full of beautiful possibilities.
If you write your intentions down, you’ll be much more inclined to follow them through…and then later you can enjoy watching your blessings unfold!
In the morning when you wake up, write a positive intention (or a few) in your journal. This positive intention can be super simple, such as:
I choose to remain in a positive mindset the entire day, no matter what happens.
I will listen to my body today.
I will focus on the present moment as much as I can today.
The intention doesn’t need to be complicated, or involve any intense goal-setting. Simply write something that will make you feel good. You might choose to revisit the intention at the end of the day, before you go to bed. Don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t stick with it, or forgot about it completely…just try again the next day. Your happiness level will thank you!
#2: Keep a gratitude journal.
Gratitude is one of the most beautiful ways in which you can raise your vibration and immediately shift yourself into a more positive and happy state of being. By being thankful for all the things you have—big or small—and by writing them down in a journal, you can begin to invite amazing miracles into your life.
There are a few ways to go about having a gratitude journal. You can dedicate an entire journal for gratitude, devoting it specifically to a daily list of what you are thankful for. If you want to simplify, you can incorporate a gratitude list in a notebook you use for other things.
I personally enjoy using one journal for everything. (I love to streamline and make things as easy as possible!) I begin each daily entry with my positive intention, and below it, I start a list of gratitude—jotting down a few things in the morning, and then adding to it as the day unfolds. Before bed, I’ll complete the list.
I also use this journal to write my thoughts, feelings, and general experiences of the day. I love being able to look back at the journal entries to see the big picture of my life…how I’m growing, shifting, learning, and experiencing the world. My favorite part is rereading the gratitude and seeing all the blessings that have come my way.
Try out what works for you…and get excited to see the happiness benefits bloom in the days and weeks to come.
#3: Use journal prompts for happiness.
If you’re not sure what to write about, journal prompts are a wonderful way to get started. They allow you to dig deep into your thoughts and emotions, and to get this energy out on paper so it doesn’t marinate within your mind and body. This can help you develop a more positive mindset, and a happier mood overall.
Here’s a list of journal prompts for happiness. They’ll help you identify what brings you joy each day!
1. Write down 5 things you like about yourself.
2. Where do you feel happiness in your body?
3. How can you practice self-love today?
4. What makes you smile?
5. What is the most beautiful thing you’ve seen today?
6. Where is your happy place?
7. What are you excited about?
8. What is your happiest memory?
9. What is one thing you can do today to allow yourself to feel nourished and at peace?
10. How do you integrate joy into your daily routine?
11. What does your dream life look like?
12. What song makes you happy?
#4: Write down the happiest experience of the day.
I’d love to share a process that comes from author Elizabeth Gilbert’s practice of the Happiness Jar. She describes this as: “Every single day, at the end of the day, I grab a scrap of paper and I write down upon it the happiest moment of that day. And I put the date on it. And then I fold up the note and stick it in the jar. And that’s the whole practice.”
However, for this version, instead of using a jar, simply write down the happiest moment of the day in your journal! This way, you can flip back through your journal entries as much as you’d like to revisit the moments of joy.
A great time to do this is in the evening, before you go to sleep. Add the “happiest thing” to end your day on the most beautiful, positive note.
#5: Find a journal you love.
I believe that one of the most important aspects of developing a habit of journaling, and harvesting the amazing benefits, is to find a journal that you truly love.
Selecting a journal that is beautiful and unique makes it so much easier to write in daily, versus a journal that doesn’t inspire you. There’s something special about holding a journal in your hands that really speaks to your soul, and is a sanctuary for your thoughts, feelings, and dreams.
I’d love to invite you to try out the line of Alchymist Rose journals! They are designed from original rose photography and inspired by my love of the rose. Options include paperback, hardcover, and spiral (coil-bound) styles. The dot-grid option is perfect for those desiring a bullet journal.
Each piece is truly its own work of art.
Best wishes on finding the perfect journal for you, and embarking upon a practice of journaling for happiness!
xoxo, Ana