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4 Ways Journaling Can Lead To A More Peaceful You

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4 ways journaling can lead to a more peaceful youIs your life becoming too hectic? Are you constantly rushing around, trying desperately to tackle that to-do list? Ironically, as we have created a world that is easier, we somehow have managed to overfill our time. So, what can we do about this stressful life? Journaling is a unique opportunity for us to connect with yourselves. If you want a return to a simpler life, journaling can lead to a more peaceful you.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is about being present in the present. It is about being aware of what is happening at this moment. It’s not about checking your smartphone as you watch a show on Netflix while also eating your dinner. It’s about being aware of one task that you are doing. Mindfulness is about being committed fully to whatever you are doing, even if you are doing nothing.

A few moments

The nice thing about journaling is that it doesn’t have to take a long time. Most people when they think about journaling envision a giant time commitment. And while journaling works best if you commit to writing every day, you really only have to spend a few minutes at it. Even if you just write a few sentences about what you are grateful for, that effort will help shape your perception of your life.

Get into routine

Some people like to wake up and journal while they enjoy their morning coffee. Others like the reflection time at the end of the day. Maybe you have some spare time on your commute home from work. Find a time that works for you. You will want to make sure your journaling time fits into your natural routine. This way when you first start it doesn’t seem like a giant time commitment. Once you get into the flow of journaling, it will be easier to think of it as a part of your daily life, similar to brushing your teeth.

Various Topics

There are many ways to journal. You can write a diary-type format where you recount all the major highlights of your day. You can write daily affirmations where you appreciate who you are. You can write free-form or even find journaling kits that help with motivation. The point is that you can make journaling be whatever you want it to be. This activity should be an extension of yourself. So, if you like to draw, why not incorporate some illustrations? If you are more adept at typing, you can easily journal on the computer. In fact, you can even just record your ideas if you really don’t like to write.

The form isn’t the point of journaling. The process is the point. The more you are aware of the life you are living, the more you can enjoy it. And this enjoyment will lead to a more peaceful you.

 

 

4 Tips To Slow Down A Hectic Life

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4 tips to slow down a hectic lifeLife moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. So are the immortal words of Ferris Bueller. If you find yourself rushing from the house to the office, to the gym, to the practice, with little rest in between, your life has become too hectic. It’s time to slow down a bit.

Create a plan

When you’re in the middle of chaos, it’s hard to stop and make sense of everything. But when you don’t have a plan, it only fuels the chaos. It’s important to stop and think about what you are doing in life, what you want out of life, and what you want to focus on. If you can come up with a plan, your life can begin to shape itself around your dreams, making you and everyone else around you a lot happier.

Schedule Your Day

At night, even if you’re tired, stop for a few moments and look at the day ahead of you. Some people wait until the morning to set a daily plan, but your day starts a lot earlier than when you can perform this task. As well, you don’t want to be agonizing all night long about what you need to do.

Look at the next day to know what are necessary tasks that need to be performed. What meetings and appointments are there? Look for ways to be more efficient with your time. Can you pick up multiple errands at the same time? Is there someone else who can drive your kid to practice? What leftovers are still in the fridge that can be repurposed for dinner? The more planning you an do ahead of time, the smoother your day will be.

Schedule Me Time

Time for yourself is often tacked on to the end of the day. Maybe you’ll have 20 minutes of peace where you can relax with a good book. Or more likely you’ll be too exhausted and will just fall into bed. If you don’t schedule time for yourself, then it won’t happen and you won’t get the opportunity to slow down.

Start by blocking out time in your day that is just for you. Maybe this requires waking up 20 minutes earlier. Or maybe you can use your lunch break and actually go out the building for a much needed breather.

Ask For Help

If you’re finding that you still can’t find a block of time for yourself, then look for others to help. Can a neighbour pick up the kids from school? Are you able to alternative dinner prep with your partner? Is there an option to work from home one day a week so that you don’t have to spend time in transit? There are often options for finding me time, you just might need to be creative.