The Positive Effects of Journaling or How to Become Happier
Do you know what a ‘positivity journal’ is? Not yet? Then it’s the right time to discover the new horizons of your personality and boost the quality of your life. We all strive to make our weekdays brighter, it’s normal for human beings. Sometimes, seemingly insignificant habits like keeping a journal can help us feel substantially happier.
Let’s start your journey to a better life!
What Does a ‘Positivity Journal’ Mean?
As any other journal, this type contains your life events, thoughts, feelings and emotions, but the focus is shifted towards the positive side. Every page should include something pleasant, overshadowing anything that brings you down.
Writing a positivity journal is somehow therapeutic. It’s true that no life would be complete without tough challenges, negative moods and unpleasant experiences. The point of this kind of journal is to balance your life with positivity.
Why Should I Have One?
Do you care about yourself? Do you want to feel better and achieve more? Focusing on positive events will fill you up with energy and motivation. When one feels their inner strength, they are able to cope better with problems, no matter how large-scaled they seem.
Consider such a journal to be your source of inspiration and vitality.
Also, you can always dive into your past positive memories, reminiscing your happiness in difficult moments. So, no matter how hard your life seems, you may find helpful inspiration in your own previous experience.
How Much Time Does It Take?
Keeping a journal takes your time and effort, you would have to analyse every day and focus exceptionally on good events. However, this shouldn’t be a forced boring activity. Sometimes, you will find yourself replenished with positive energy whilst you write the second page of your day, but if you feel exhausted and not ready to dedicate time to recall all the events of the day, write at least a couple of sentences. This will take no more than five minutes.
Since we call it ‘positivity journaling’, the process should be joyful, not painful.
Should I Use Digital Notes or a Physical Notebook?
It doesn’t matter! Both options work well and your choice depends only on your personal preferences.
Some people prefer writing to typing, that way they experience all the events once again.
People who are focused on the ideas and are used to typing would benefit more from keeping digital journal. Also, everyone has their phone with them, so it’s convenient to make notes anytime and have them with you anywhere.
The Collabio Spaces app offers a free template for a 5-minute positivity journal. You can find it in the Personal Templates folder.
Another benefit of using digital notes is the opportunity to add images. It’s very useful for people who want to add photos, images or scans to their notes. Of course, if you’re keen on drawing by hand, keep a paper journal and turn it into your personal art gallery. Getting creative is always a great way to drive even more positive emotions.
10 Tips for Your Positivity Journal
- Start in the morning. Calculate how many hours you have slept and write it down. This will provide you with insights on how your sleep cycles are connected to your energy levels in the morning.
- List the most important checkpoints that are going to make (or have already made) you happy today.
- Mention what you are grateful for today. It does not matter, if those are be big or small things. If you can’t come up with ideas on what to write about, check out our template and the three examples we give!
- If you have discovered some drawbacks or failures, put them down in the ‘I will do this better’ section. Think positively, concentrate on the solution and be creative. Silver linings can be found even in the hardest challenge.
- Don’t forget about positive affirmations! “To affirm” means to state that something is true. So, it’s not just a wishful phrase but what you believe in. Find a new positive affirmation that suits you and your life every day and it will boost your confidence!
- Write something you will or could do to help people that surround you. Good deeds arouse constructive and forward-looking attitude to the world.
- Remember about all the good things others have done for you. List people in your life who you are grateful for.
- If you have concerns about anything, write them down and think about how you can deal with them in a positive way. When you can’t change the situation, at least try to change your attitude to it. While writing the journal, try to look at your bad days from another perspective.
- Tell your journal who or what inspires you. Use quotes, describe real stories, find motivation everywhere!
- Describe your ideal day. Imagine what you would love about it and try to make these ideas come true tomorrow!
Surrounded by positive thoughts, you won’t let negativity into your life. Should you be passing through difficult times, your special journal will keep you focused on good things. In the end, your memory will record only bright moments, getting rid of flashbacks full of sadness and despair.
The main idea of journaling is to continue what you do. Don’t stop! Even if writing becomes boring, try creative approaches. Draw if you use a notebook. Format text or insert images if you use an app.
The point is to see that every day brings something joyful to your life. The more you’re focused on positivity, the more you will notice the good things that happen around you. And this is not magic, this is science! ;)
Start journaling with Collabio Spaces and love your wonderful life!
