Journaling your way to happiness. Is it possible? Journaling can improve how you feel. It’s good for you, and the benefits of putting pen to paper are many. Years ago, when the progression of my husbands alcoholism accelerated and life started to spiral into chaos, I started to journal, just free writing journaling, documenting my feelings. It was a way for me to touch base with myself to try to understand what was happening within me. My journal became the friend that I could share everything with , all of my thoughts and feelings. Little did I know at the time, but this was the beginning of my healing journey.
In this episode of the Smiling Again podcast, I speak with Klaus White, Founder of The Way of the Tortoise, A Journal to Happiness. We talk about all things journalling, and the slow and steady approach to long-lasting change.
Here’s a glance at this episode…
[5:11] We have to find our own way forward, which is why journaling is so important. So I started off taking small steps and they were really the only way that I could find the energy and the enthusiasm to really do anything, just do tiny, tiny bite sized chunks.
[6:57] It really was having that structure in my day, but also having a young child, I didn’t have that much time. So what I created was a structure for myself, which then became the journal.
[7:43] But more importantly, and I think the key is the small steps taking those small steps because I think making a huge change is great when you’ve got willpower is great when you have an inspired moment, but pretty much, always stops after a certain period of time. And so if you can focus on those tiny small steps, then that gives you motivation and makes you feel good about yourself, makes you feel like you’ve achieved something, then you could take the next step and the next.
[8:21] I was always reminded of the, the tortoise and the hare story, which I used to tell my daughter. And I just thought, you know what? I realise, I’m a tortoise. I realise that’s who I am. And actually the small steps suit me. And I think they suit most people.
[9:54] When you’re feeling completely zapped of energy, completely low, it’s easier to do one thing than it is to do lots of things.And in the beginning for me, that one thing started out as journaling.
Everything that happens to you, yes, everything, is an opportunity to learn and grow. So don’t hide from life, try things and don’t have regrets. No one is keeping score. There is no one size fits all answer to living a happy life. We’re all different. And that’s what makes us all the same.
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Kim Moore is the Founder of Blossome CIC. She lost her husband Chris to alcoholism in 2017. She faced a difficult journey while raising 2 children alone, with her family living on the opposite side of the world. Kim founded the Blossome Community and The Pathway to Peace healing journey so no one would have to feel alone while enduring the trauma of a loved one’s battle with alcoholism or addiction. She is also on a mission to end the generational cycle of alcoholism and addiction in families.
