Journaling regularly is an effective practice that has the power to change your life, especially if you write by hand. The physical motion of writing engages motor skills which then activates more parts (neurons) of the brain.
Studies and research have shown how the act of writing by hand physically connects you with the words, allowing your brain to focus on them, understand them, and learn from them, minimizing distractions around you.
During this GRATITUDE CHALLENGE,
we will engage in several journaling activities.
Many will be 5-minute “brain dumps.”
And who doesn’t have five minutes to spare?
If you are in need of a small journal, you can readily pick one up at the studio.
Body Moves has beautiful moleskin journals in a variety of colors
that are embossed with the studio logo for just $10!
- Prepare by having a pencil or pen and paper.
- Silence your phone. (It’s only 5 minutes!)
- Read the prompt, decide on your answer, and then write.
Try to write for five minutes straight. Don’t let your pen stop!
If you don’t know what to write, write something like this: “I don’t know what to write, but I am here writing sheer silliness because Kari told me not to stop, but I’m supposed to be writing about a place that makes me happy. For me, that’s the lake. Every summer my family went to the lake for…”
If you have not done this before, it may will be difficult. That’s okay. It just takes practice, and we have two weeks to practice together, so let’s get started! Grab your pen and paper and let’s go!!
Here’s your question:
WHAT PLACE MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPY?
Maybe it’s a place you visit regularly or maybe it’s somewhere you haven’t been for a really long time; but your memories of that place make you feel happy, loved, or safe. You can describe the place OR you can write about why you would go there. Maybe you write about the people you would see when you there OR maybe it was great because you didn’t see anyone. Maybe you write about something else. There’s no wrong answer!
Remember, this isn’t about complete sentences and perfect grammar (and that’s coming from a former English teacher!). If you change your thought mid-sentence, jump to the next line, start a new phrase, and keep writing! DON’T GO BACK TO CORRECT. If you want to rephrase something, re-write what you wrote in a new way.
Try to have your pen keep pace with your thoughts; it’s harder than you think, but that’s the beauty of it. Who knows? Once you start, you may not want to stop!