In this month of January, the beginning of the New Year, some of us may be looking at our current habits and patterns, returning to practices that have fallen away, reinvigorating activities that have lost luster, and exploring new ways of caring for and connecting with our selves. Journaling might be one of those practices that you are thinking about engaging with -- or perhaps feel like you should do, but don't really want to.

In today's episode, lifelong daily journaler Sheryl and never-journaler Victoria talk about the intentions and mindsets behind healthy, helpful journaling; the pitfalls of perfectionism; why Sheryl doesn't use a special, "beautiful" notebook for journaling; and two particular methods that Sheryl suggests for effective, supportive journaling.

References:

10 Percent Happier podcast episode: The Science Of Journaling: How Writing Reduces Overthinking, Rumination, And Anxiety with Dr. James Pennebaker
The Country Commonplace Book by Miranda Hills
Dear America and Royal Diaries series
10 Percent Happier podcast episode "How to Handle Your Inner Critic," with Amita Schmidt
Internal Family Systems therapy
Sheryl's book The Wisdom of Anxiety
Morning Pages practice from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron