I knew long ago that eventually I’d want to talk openly about the impact that journaling has had on me… and well, that time is here. I have journaled every day for the last five years. (with only a handful of missed days here and there) As someone with ADHD, this consistency is something that I’m very proud of. There are a few reasons that I think journaling helps me with my ADHD symptoms… and I’m going to lay them out here to entice you into picking up this habit that has really transformed my life. I know that’s a bold statement. I stand by it.
Five ways that Journaling could help your ADHD
Reduce Stress - Expressing emotions such as anger, sadness, and other discomforting feelings through writing can lead to a decrease in their intensity. This practice can provide a sense of calmness and improve your ability to remain present.
Use it as a tool to remember - I don’t know about you, but my memory SUCKS. Having journals to look back on helps me remember past successes, struggles, and repeating patterns.
Avoid conflict - Instead of ruminating on misunderstandings, putting them into writing can facilitate understanding of the other person's perspective. This approach increases the likelihood of finding a reasonable resolution to the conflict.
Increase Self-Awareness - By regularly journaling, you can develop a stronger sense of self-awareness and a better understanding of your needs, goals, and aspirations.
Boost Creativity - Most of my “brilliant” ideas have come from journaling. I use my journal as a brain dump - a place to expand on ideas. Writing without a censor helps my imagination run wild. It’s a great place to dream of possibilities.
A few tips for journal newbies:
If you’re not much of a writer, check out Google Documents Voice Typing and let your voice do all the writing.
Write whatever you want. Doodle if you feel like it. Write in HUGE text or write in tiny text. Scribble, write your grocery list, or just do a massive brain dump.
Be okay with missing a few days here and there. It happens.
Add in gratitude when you can. If you’re struggling with what to write about - start with a small list of things that you’re grateful for… that usually gets the ball rolling.
In other news… It’s podcast time!!
Libby Ward is a digital creator, speaker, and mental health advocate with a deep commitment to breaking the cycles of trauma. She is known for talking about hard things and every week her content reaches millions of women around the world. In this episode, we talk about motherhood and ADHD and the real struggles moms are facing.
Oh! And she wrote a JOURNAL! ;) Check it out here:
The Honest Mom Journal: The struggling moms guide to struggling less
