• Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

A Little Bit Adrift

A Female Travel & Lifestyle Blog

  • ABOUT
    • Life List
    • Where I’ve Been
  • MY PRODUCTS
    • Pack This Journal
    • The Forgetful Traveler: 15+ Printables to Organize Any Trip
  • WORK WITH ME
  • Solo Travel FAQ
    • ANSWERED: How to Save Money on Your Solo Trip
    • ANSWERED: How do you make friends when traveling solo?
    • ANSWERED: How do you deal with loneliness when traveling alone?
    • ANSWERED: How do you decide where to stay when traveling solo?
    • ANSWERED: How Do You Convince Your Family Traveling Alone is OK?
    • ANSWERED: How to Survive a Red-Eye Flight
  • CONTACT

Joy Journaling

by Leave a Comment

I try to keep this space more of a positive spin on the things I love: traveling, journaling, and the excitement I feel to empower women and their solo journeys. I don’t often mention it, but this year has been tough for me… and I am not sure why. When you don’t know why you’re feeling off and depressed, it is hard to define it in words and to strangers. And for years I assumed nobody wanted to see the real stuff I was struggling with, which is why I mainly stuck to the pretty, curated moments on this here blog. But here’s the thing: opening up not only feels cathartic (albeit a bit intimidating) – it’s also an opportunity for deeper discussions that remind us we’re not alone.

Recently, when I was talking to a dear friend about my struggles, she suggested I start writing down all the things that make me really, truly happy. I explained to her I was an avid journaler, always chronically my days and weeks in my journal. But this was something different. She called it “Joy Journaling” and like any good journalist,  I came home and instantly googled it. I didn’t see anything really relevant about it, so I knew I needed to share it here with you. Especially after doing it.

As I did more research about the feeling of joy while actually journaling, some interesting facts about it emerged. According to this article, “Medical science has discovered what we writers have known for a long time…the benefits of journaling. According to research documented in the Journal of the American Medical Association, April 14, 1999, persons suffering from asthma and rheumatoid arthritis significantly reduce symptoms by ‘expressive writing.’ Writing about (stressful) life events helps to put things into perspective.”

So are you feeling down? No shame people, we’ve all been there at some point or another. Maybe try this method the next time you pick up your journal . It puts your wonderful, glorious, messy, and sometimes complicated life into perspective. At least it did for me, and at this point it was exactly what I needed.

How does Joy Journaling Work?

The idea of joy journaling is basically just writing down everything that brings you JOY. Pure and simple. Start thinking about what has brought you happiness over the last days, months and years. It  can be something very simple (the sound of my baby giggling) to a complex moments that make up a life (the feeling of love I have for my significant other). Use my list below to get you started, but think of anything that brings you joy!

What can you Joy Journal about?

  • Moments where you felt the happiest
  • Gratitudes
  • Things that made you laugh just thinking about them
  • People that you love
  • Your strengths
  • Activities you loved to do as a kid
  • Appreciation towards others
  • Places that give you peace and joy
  • Things you love to do, smell, taste and see
  • Your accomplishments
  • Celebrations

This is just the beginning.

Helpful Joy of Journaling resources

Journaling For Joy: Writing Your Way to Personal Growth and Freedom by Joyce Chapman

Joy Journal: Make Joy a Daily Experience (Volume 1) by Rebecca Kochenderfer

Journaling Joy: 101 Journal Writing Prompts for When You’re Stuck by Grace C. Storms

 


Have you heard of the Pack This Journal yet?

It’s a travel journal made with YOU, the traveler, in mind! Perfect for your Joy Journal!

I have a whole post on it HERE! Or you can view it on Etsy.

http://alittlebitadrift.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Pack-This-Promo-Video.mp4

Filed Under: 2018, happiness, Journal, Travel, Travel Essentials Tagged With: journal, Joy Journaling, Pack this journal, travel journal

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Meet Danielle!

World traveler, adventurer, runner, and blogger. Aiming to inspire and empower women of ALL ages to explore the world and take part in more meaningful travel. #PackThisJournal [More About Me]

#PackThisJournal

#PackThisJournal

A journal that is made for your memories.

In one journal, you can keep your words and your things. The Pack This Journal is revolutionizing the journaling world - one trip at a time.

Recent Posts

Come over to Pack This Journal blog!

I know if you've been around here long enough … [Read More...]

How to Plan Your Solo Trip – Immunizations & Health Insurance

I know many people travel on a budget, and I am a … [Read More...]

Pack This Journal featured on Side Hustle School Podcast

As some of you may have seen on my instagram … [Read More...]

Follow Me on Instagram!

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No connected account.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.

Wordpress help I swear by!

Total Blogger to Wordpress Transfer Package

Copyright © 2022 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in