Solutions For Journaling Roadblocks

If you have not enjoyed the full benefits of journaling then it might be because you have formulated some road blocks or excuses to journaling. You might feel you don’t have the time, don’t like sketching, or dislike writing. Maybe you have tried it before and did not find it beneficial, or maybe life got busy. I’m sure you could come up with over one hundred reasons why journaling is not for you.
Let me challenge you with two exercises.
Exercise 1
Write down as many reasons you can think of on why you might not Journal.
For the top five road blocks that you come up with, I want you to Journal on how this could be turned into an opportunity.
For example:
Block #1 – I don’t have the time. I’m too busy.
Opportunity: Start with a positive statement even if you do not believe it at this time. I love to Journal and I am so glad that I have the time to Journal because if I did not Journal then all my time would be filled with doing activities that don’t necessarily bring joy, life, or change in my day. By journaling my time is more balanced with action and contemplation. I am a better person because I have stopped to be reflective.
Block #2 – I don’t like to sketch or I’m afraid I’m not good at it.
Opportunity: I love sketching because it reminds me of when I was young and I was not worried what other people thought of my drawing. I just drew because I liked it and it was creative. Sketching has renewed my excitement at being creative and I know that the sketching is for my own purpose to bring insight to my life. By sketching I am using my right brain, which has long been denied the creative release. I know I can make circles. Add eyes and add expressions to my stick people. It is easy and fun.
Now add your own reasons and transform them to opportunities.
Block: I likely won’t Journal because
Opportunity: I would love to Journal because
Exercise 2
Ask yourself “What am I getting out of not journaling?”
For examples:
• If I don’t Journal I will not need to be accountable to myself; that means I can let my morals and values slide on occasion.
• I do not want to be authentic because my facade has become comfortable and I don’t want to be challenged.
• I don’t want to heal the past because I have some good memories mixed in with the hurts and I want to keep my good memories.
• If I become authentic, I think I will lose friends, lose income, or my status will change.
Now choose one of your examples and start a dialogue with someone you might consider to be wise. Start with your statement and see how your wise confidant will respond. Then carry on the conversation for at least two or three pages. Your wise confidant might ask you questions such as:
• Is this really true?
• What else can you tell me?
• Is there more?
• What are you afraid of?
You will soon discover what is holding you back and what solutions would be realistic in creating a life of hope and happiness through journaling.