Journaling to Spark Your Creative Self-Expression & Inner Truths
By Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC | Posted 5/8/22
As creative beings, and we are all creative beings in some way, we long to express ourselves. Not to be heard by others necessarily, although that is nice too, but for the love and joy that self-expression brings. As creatives, we want to be in conversation with this life we are living.
Journaling is a self-expressive act. It is also a creative and soul nourishing practice that helps us tap into our inner wisdom. You might ask, "Inner wise self, what insights do you have for me today?"
You can listen for the answer. Write it down. Be surprised, delighted, and even amazed at what emerges from the dwelling place of your voice within. Asking questions in the pages of your journal and then responding to them, is a way to help you access the truth of your life, to clear mental clutter, and express your thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way. As we tell the truth of our lives in the pages of our journals, it makes it easier and even more essential, to honor this truth as we live our lives each day.
Have you ever been writing in your journal and all-of-a-sudden you are writing about something that you haven't even acknowledged that you have been thinking or feeling, until it pours out onto the page? You get that moment where you are surprised by your own words being reflected to you. You wonder, where it is all coming from anyways?
There have been times when my journaling itself reveals more of me, of my desires and dreams, than I ever could have accessed without letting the words pour out from within me to land on the page.
During this COVID-19 time, I have been surprised at some of the things that I have expressed in my journal. New fears, stressors, exhaustion, as well as new dreams, hopes and desires too. For example, I have the impulse to stop doing something I have done for years which is provide individual coaching to my amazing clients.
I was once passionate about coaching individuals, but I'm not anymore. I am still passionate about coaching but more interested in doing it through other mediums like my membership community for journal writers, through group coaching programs, workshops and retreats that foster creativity and connection. Perhaps you have been noticing changes and new instincts emerging in your life of late?
Journal Prompts
Here are some journal prompts to spark your creative self-expression and wise inner voice to speak on the page:
- What are some changes you have experienced in your life due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- What new experiences are you longing to have?
- What is something you have been thinking of doing that you have not told anyone about?
- If you could do, be or have anything at all, what would that be at this time?
- What do you want that you already have?
You can respond to each of these journal prompts or simply pick the ones that resonate with you. You are always in choice with what you write about in the pages of your journal! What wants to be said? Write that down. Trust yourself. Trust your creative self-expression.
©2022 Lynda Monk. All rights reserved.
Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC is the Director of the International Association for Journal Writing (IAJW.org) and author of several books. ...