When I started my spiritual journey it was the beginning of 2019 and I found myself in one of the worst positions I have ever been in my life. I had no job, little money, a poor friend group, horrible habits, low self-esteem. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Some where along the beginning of that year I decided to take a leap of faith and take my son and I to America and visit some family for a couple months. The day I made that decision I can honestly say my life changed.
I took a good look in the mirror and was brutally honest with myself. I was honest about the things I was avoiding, the people I wanted to hold on to. I told myself that I do not know myself, because I did not. I did not know what I believed in, who I could trust, my interest and dislikes. The only thing I was certain on was that I was going to take this trip and change my life around. After this very difficult conversation I went out and bought a journal. I journaled everything, absolutely everything. Since 2019 I have a collection of over 10 journals, scripted front to back. Before, reading things of the past made me feel embarrassed, I did not want to read who I was, or what I felt, but now I am in love with reading my growth. A lot of the things I mentioned in my journals came to life.
Here are some tips on how you can get started in journaling.
The first thing you must realize is that different techniques work for different people, and it is okay to not follow these guides to the T. You must do what works solely for you. My first journal was a mess! The first page was my resolutions and goals for the year, then it continued to have random numbers, important dates, grocery list, etc. One thing I found however, is that on every page I was writing THANK YOU! I was showing gratitude to God for everything I wrote, everything I desired, even just the thoughts. I was grateful. I was making mind maps everywhere as well as randomly writing words of who I want to be and characteristics that best describe me. My first journal may have been chaotic, but I took from it the following.
1. I am becoming more self aware of what I want and who I want to be.
2. Showing gratitude is beyond helpful.
3. Mind Maps are truly beautiful.
4. Affirmations is an incredible tool.
5. Releasing all my emotions into paper feels much better than acting on them in real life.
My second journal came with more structure, I knew what I wanted to write about, and I knew the power in scripture. Everything I wrote about had a sub-heading, I was manifesting and creating through this, writing down my current reality and future about subjects like “Family”, “My life and I...” “My gift” “My love”, I was constantly thanking and giving gratitude for the good and bad, I was asking for protection from problems when they arise, protection in energy. Writing sub-headings like “I found it!” when I would come across a realization that had to do with my future. I was really learning myself. Looking back on this I was journaling daily, it became a part of my daily routine, I was becoming so powerful, the only thing I was doing was investing my time, energy and power back into myself. I was constantly writing about how thankful I was, writing monthly goals instead of just yearly. As time went by my sub-headings turned into “Patience and Learning”. I was truly learning every part of myself, the good and the bad, what I needed to work on. Mind maps were more organized, they had deeper insights into where my mind was on certain subjects. They were enough for me to reflect after and think “okay what’s next?”.
I would write tons of questions and then answer them as well or at least reflect on them. “How will I build my clientele?” “How will I get out of financial debt?” “Am I doing the right thing?” “Can I be doing more?”. Questions like these were beyond helpful in showing me what a priority for me is, what I was lacking, and where I felt the most insecure. Listen there is nothing wrong with being honest with yourself and admitting that you feel insecure. How can you judge yourself? You live with yourself! Being honest is a huge step in changing your life. My journals included every feeling I experienced that day, relationship problems, etc.
I found the more I wrote the calmer I felt about situations. I was fully convinced that what I was writing was going to come to life I did not care if it was true in my current reality because I was feeling the energy of my words flow into the universe and be returned to me in it's physical form. Writing things down was making me see things for what they really are as well as organize myself. Now I am not saying everything you write will come to life, or everything can be salvaged. It came a time where no matter how much I wrote nothing seemed to be going right. However, I never stopped. I never stopped because it was more than just bringing my words to life, I was feeling so good!
I was becoming so confident and sure of myself. I started realizing what I like, what I do not like, the woman and mother I want to be. The relationships I wanted to have with my family, lover and friends. I was realizing my passions, thing that drive me. My callings, I was also watching a lot of videos and reading self-help books, spirituality books and writing down as many notes as possible, anything that stuck with me was written. I was growing as a person and giving myself the luxury of documenting it freely all at the same time. My power was unstoppable. I have gone through many stages of life through my journals, and I deeply believe that they are the main reason why I am sitting here writing you this blog today.
Fast forward to now, I have different journals for different things. I found this was the most effective for me as I had so many techniques I used to manifest, emotions to release and plans. I needed everything to be separate. I have a journal solely for affirmations, manifestation, and letters I write to, myself, my life, God, and my son. I have a journal solely about expressing myself, how I feel, every emotion good or bad and my dreams. Lastly, I have a journal where I plan my month and day, my budget, and my to do lists. Having these three journals are great tools that show me where I am, where I want to be and how I will get there.
I invite you now to take a moment and think about what sounds more favorable to you and go and pursue it. Like I said at the beginning not everything works for everybody, so you must find what works for you. Now I am going to begin by giving you ideas on what to write about depending on your situation or how you might feel.
Journaling To Start Your Day-
Whether you choose to have different journals for different things, journaling about your day is simple. Begin with gratitude, be thankful for another day alive, be thankful for the roof over your head and the mattress that you lay on, be thankful! Give thanks, for gratitude will bring you a million more days. After you have done this answer the following questions.
1. What are 5 goals I want to accomplish today?
2. What are 3 things I want to feel today?
3. What are 3 things I can do to help me feel these emotions today?
4. What am I most excited for today and why?
5. What am I least excited for today and why?
6. What is my biggest task for the day?
Writing and answering these questions in your truest form will help organize you for your day, it will also keep you mindful of how you truly want to live, feel and be in that day specifically. Perhaps it is a busy day for you and writing down your biggest task will motivate you to get into the office or walk out the door and check it off your to do list immediately. Journaling in the morning and answering questions in this matter can start and set your day to be amazing. If you find that you are getting tired of the same questions everyday use your resources! Get on google and type in “morning journaling prompts” Pinterest is an amazing tool for journaling prompts and topics as well.
After you are done giving thanks, writing and answering your questions of the day, write down an affirmation. Something that makes YOU feel good, a pick me up for yourself, the power in the tongue is beautiful, say it to yourself.
I deserve to live abundantly.
I am over-flowing in abundance.
I have all the time and energy I need to excel in my tasks today.
I am happy being financially stable.
I am happy with the life I live.
I am excited and ready for my day.
I am open and receptive to new opportunities, energy, love, and mind sets today.
Build yourself up! Believe in the things you are writing, believe that your words and your scripting are making a difference in your day…because they are! If you wake up a little bit earlier everyday and add 5-10 minutes to sit down and reflect on how you feel, what you have planed, and then encourage yourself to get it done; do you understand how much power you have brought onto yourself? You have told, and shown the world YES, I am ready for this day, YES, I am ready to feel joyful, and happy, YES, I am ready to be productive. The energy you put into writing these things will return to you in physical form. Be opened to receiving the abundance, it can be in the smallest things like finishing your biggest task first and realizing it did not take that long or it was not that hard. The magic of the universe will come in all ways, be OPEN!
Journaling To Release Emotions-
There is not a how-to manual on how to write your emotions because they are just that YOUR EMOTIONS. However, I can help you de-2escalate how you feel and view things in a different way. If a problem has come to play begin with writing all your emotions, feel free to use vulgar language, to write fast and big instead of slow, clear, and neat. Write everything you feel. Be honest, do not hold back, who is going to read it anyway? Release, release, release. Be open with how you feel, condemn someone if you must in your scripture, write all your feelings. The more you do this the more you will start to lean and rely on this to express emotion. You will find that a negative feeling comes, and you will write it down on a scrap piece of paper, release then feel better. It may not be instantly; it takes time but the control you are looking for will come. After you are done releasing these emotions ask and answer the following questions.
1. Can I solve this problem right now?
2. How can I solve this problem right now?
3. Do I really mean the things I wrote/said in that moment of negative emotion?
4. In a perfect world, how would I resolve this?
5. Is the other person going through something I may not know about and putting it on to me?
6. Is what the other person said about me/the problem true/real?
7. Will this matter in 3 days? 3 years?
8. Will this make a significant impact to my life?
9. What is one thing I can do right now to help me think about something else?
Going through your emotions, feeling and writing them down, then taking the time to reflect on them, is a huge step in learning how to control your emotions and self regulate them. Reflecting on the situation, your emotions, and your desired actions will help you in having a deeper understanding into yourself. Eventually you can even start seeing patterns either with the same problem/person, as well as how you deal with stress when it arises and how to manage it. It will also push you into being more selective with your energy and emotions, you will start learning how to not give in to negative emotions and give more to the beautiful and positive ones.
Journaling For Self-Discovery-
If you are finding yourself lost, feeling unmotivated, in the mood to reinvent, journaling is an easy tool to help you get back on the right path. This is where tools like mind maps, and Venn diagrams can be of huge work. To begin with, try creating a Venn diagram, and in the Venn diagram write the title “Lessons Learned” then write in the three sections “Past” “Present” and in the third one write “Future/Goals”. Take a moment to reflect on your life thus far, what are some true lessons you have learned about your life, love, finances, relationships, and yourself. What are some lessons you are coming to realization today or have not yet fully learned/understood? What are your goals for your future now that you have learned these lessons? Answer these questions honestly, take time to think about them and reflect on them. Mind-maps are amazing tools as well, write as the title, “Who am I?” “What is important to me?” Write your name in the middle and start answering! Be authentic, be raw, be real with yourself. Not everyone has the same priorities and things of importance. What truly matters to you?
Write another mind map at the top title it “Life to me is” then write life in the middle and start answering. Not everyone is Catholic, Christian, Muslim, etc. not everyone sees life as butterflies and rainbows and all things shinning, be honest with yourself about what life means to YOU at its best. Write a Venn diagram about your feelings title the sections “AM", “Boundaries”, “Becoming” What do you feel on a day to day? Is it hurt, angry, insecurity, lack of faith in people, partly aware, happy, hopeful? What are your boundaries with others that you can set to help grow and heal? Is it cutting off people who gas light you, people who do not give the same energy, someone who disrespects you in communication? Lastly, who do you want to become in your feelings? Forgiving, peaceful, secure, intuitive, aware, adventurous? The key in using these tools is to be honest, to look at the paper when you are finished and feel, believe, and know that you are becoming your greatest self, that the things written are true and you are taking the steps towards being more aligned with your highest and best self.
The following are additional questions you can ask and answer when writing about your self discovery.
What is most important to my...
1. Life
2. Career
3. Family
4. Contribution
5. Impact
1. Who am I happy being?
2. What is my dream everyday life?
3. What brings me the most joy and happiness?
4. What drains all my energy?
5. What is something I never want to do again?
It is so important to write down your growth, after every journaling session, write down your realizations, write down how you feel, write down what you need to work on. Organize your thoughts and your mind and give yourself the freedom of mind that you deserve and long for. Fight for yourself!
Journaling Affirmations and Manifestation-
I prefer to have my own journal for this as I believe in the crossings of energy. To ME it did not feel clear or organized when I wrote on a page how angry something made me or how much I hated it then in the next writing my affirmations or manifestations. These things should be done in love, positivity, and light. It should be set with your best intentions. The key to manifesting is to set the proper intentions, not only that but to also release your manifestation and have FAITH that it will come to light. Remember that you are working with divine timing, that is the only thing coming in between the arrival of your desires. The more you work on yourself and make room for these desires the faster they will come.
Begin by writing only affirmations, if you do not know what those can look like YouTube is a great source for this, simply search engine “positive affirmations” and tons of videos will pop up with someone repeating them. Below I have included some affirmations that I have used and still use today.
1. I consciously choose to shift my focus towards a positive, present, and stable mindset.
2. I consciously choose to forgive myself for all my past mistakes.
3. I am a strong admired woman/man.
4. I am proud of my past and present self.
5. I am creating and actively living the life I desire.
6. I change in a positive way every life I encounter.
7. I strongly attract my deepest desires.
8. I receive miracles daily.
9. I am open and ready to live in my authenticity.
10. I am happy with who I am.
11. I am highly confident in myself.
12. I will not be emotionally drained.
13. I will not be exhausted.
14. I am open to love and light.
15. I love the feeling of love.
16. I love being in love.
17. I love and honor my life.
18. I am constantly evolving.
19. I make room in my life for the things I desire.
20. I experience self-improvement daily.
21. I seek and desire a new life.
22. My heart is open to a new love.
23. I claim and invite new blessings into my life.
24. I love the body and skin I am in.
25. I always get what I want and deserve.
26. The universe is working for me.
27. I have endless income.
28. Everyday I become wealthier.
29. I am always grateful for my abundance.
30. I am an unlimited being.
Now that you have some insight on how affirmations work, we get into manifesting. You have already started the manifesting process by writing down these affirmations. Now what you want to do is narrow things down. What does your dream partner look, act, feel like? Write it down! Write down how this person will look, what they will do, how they will make you feel. Write it so specifically and detailed and then believe it. This can go for anything, bringing in friendships or changing the current relationships you have. The key here is to truly believe that these things will happen. Write a letter about your life, who do you want to be? How do you want to look, speak, think? What house do you want to live in? What car do you want to drive? Think deeply and write only positive things about these topics, believe them and then release them. Do not hold on to them or think “when?” because like I said before it is now up to divine timing.
Another thing I have learned since my first awakening in 2019 is that you are your most important responsibility. You are and I am sorry if you do not agree, but you are your main priority, you come before your kids, your spouse, your family, before anything and everybody. How are you supposed to pour from an empty cup? You need to focus on yourself. Truly focus. You see, nothing in life is a coincidence, everything is for a reason. Once you truly believe this and open your eyes, you will start seeing all the magic the world does to produce and create your reality. Be patient with yourself, be gentle. How you treat yourself will be a reflection in all that you do. Do life kindly and with love and watch it bring it back to you by the millions.
First you need to start by setting boundaries, everywhere. In your relationships, in your job, in your health. You need to take a good look at every aspect in your life and truly acknowledge what is no longer serving you. You need to be honest with yourself. You need to have a mind over emotion mentality. Setting some boundaries will hurt, it will not be easy. As a matter of fact, not once have I said that any of this is going to be easy. In fact, it will be hard, there will be many days where you feel like giving up and think it is useless but its not. Growth is a lifelong journey, remember that! Take the time to write down your boundaries, what makes you feel bad? What does not feel good? In all aspects, set your boundaries stand on them firm. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be treated and live a certain way. It's your life you have the power.
Another step to stepping into the main character role of your life is to take the time to be alone. Solitude is something a lot of people cannot handle. A lot of people in our world are what we called co-dependent. They do not know how to be alone, there is a difference between not liking being alone and full out always keeping yourself in relationships and friendships that have long served their purpose because you cannot be alone. FIX THAT! There is peace and magic in staying to yourself, there is peace in your solitude, clarity. Take time to incorporate a workout into your routine, to read a book, to journal, to watch educational videos, research something you would want to do in the future. Let us be honest, scrolling through the same four apps everyday on your phone gets boring. Tired of seeing everybody “enjoy” their life yet? Take time, book yourself a massage, a spa day. Send a message telling everyone you are taking a two-day hiatus, and then take it! NURTURE YOURSELF!
Lastly, and this is for the ones who feel lost. ROUTINE. You need to discipline yourself into making a routine that best suits YOU and stick to it. Seriously, write down your ideal day from morning to bedtime. How many hours will you give yourself to work out, to be productive, to journal, to meditate? To play a sport, to study, to work. When will you eat? Make a schedule and be discipline enough to stick to it. Having a routine is a big key in growth, and success. If you cannot even manage your time and days now, how will you manage it when you are the multi-millionaire with a million things to do in a week? How will you find your personal time? Start now, build your foundation now!