As a high achieving, recovering workaholic and people pleaser with anxiety, the seemingly simple act of writing down what's going on in my head has been a game changer for my mental health.
Sometimes that looks like taking five minutes in the morning to jot down a "worry list" - a brain dump of the gremlins (concerns, doubts, and catastrophic possibilities) that make themselves known the second I open my eyes. Other times, it's writing out my to-do list so I can see my progress happen. And other times, it's quieting the noise around me for a few minutes to think, be, and just write.
I find that when I'm in a regular journaling practice – giving space to my thoughts and getting them onto paper – I feel the most me. I call that my brightest self, or Bright Light Liv.
WHO IS BRIGHT LIGHT LIV?
She’s the Olivia who’s rested, present, energized, fulfilled, and more at ease than agitated. She acts from a place of wholeness, makes plans –with others, or alone– soaks up little things like birds chirping or the first sip of iced coffee, and looks up from her phone to smile at people on the street (what a concept!).
And here’s the thing: Brightest doesn’t mean perfect or happy all the time. "Bright" is just the best word I've found to describe the deep, grounded feeling that comes over me when I'm vibrating truth and operating from a place of alignment.
It takes many habits, tools, and practices to bring out Bright Light Liv, and journaling is one that consistently works. And it makes sense, right? If I'm regularly checking in with ME about ME (my patterns, goals, relationships, you name it) I'm more in tune with ME so I act and feel like the brightest version of ME!
THE SCIENCE TO BACK IT UP
I'm speaking from personal experience, but journaling isn’t just something that feels good. Journaling is a scientifically proven way to enhance overall well-being. If you're more driven by facts vs. emotion – research shows journaling improves emotional and physical health and leads to better sleep quality. Either way, it’s worth the time.
WHY I LOVE LET’S GET REAL
As someone who is (quite obviously) passionate about journaling and a proud member of the Chasing Red Flags community, I feel so lucky to have found Let's Get Real. I've been using this therapist-approved guided journal for a few months now and genuinely believe it’s going to change the world. Here are a few of the reasons why I’m recommending it to anyone who will listen:
#1 - It's Undated: There's nothing on the page subtly telling you that it should be done at a certain pace or in a specific order. I'm not looking to add new obligations to my to-do list. I want journaling to be something I choose. The lack of pressure in Let's Get Real's structure is exactly what in turn makes me choose it. Sometimes I take on multiple prompts in one day, other times I’ll write thoughtfully once a week. I love having the flexibility to create a routine that works for me. And if you're the opposite and crave daily consistency, you can absolutely use Let's Get Real every day. There are over 240 prompts across 12 different sections!
#2 - The Prompts Go Deep: The other day, I got emotional answering the prompt "If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?". I started my response with "Well f*** " as I got ready to be honest. Speaking to younger Olivia also meant speaking to part of 35-year-old Olivia and both versions of me needed to hear, see, and feel what I wrote. And I grew from it. That’s why I love that these prompts “go there”. They encourage conversations with yourself that help you grow. And if that depth feels intimidating, I completely understand. My advice? Don't let that fear stop you.
#3 - You Can't Hide From Yourself: Let's Get Real digs into all the nooks and crannies of life: patterns, relationships, confidence, fears, and more. This journal creates space to explore all the parts of ourselves in a safe and protected way. I’ll be honest, some sections scare me, but I’m genuinely excited to meet the version of me on the other side of this exploration.
#4 – Built-In Affirmations: Each section has a corresponding "I am" statement that you write at the end of each journaling session. Going through the first section I wrote "I am my greatest strength" at the bottom of each page – 20 times total. That repetition has helped reinforce a belief that I truly am my greatest strength.
#5 – Reflection Pages: This might be my favorite part. After finishing the prompts in a section (or however many you choose to respond to) there's an opportunity to re-read what you've written, drawn, and expressed, and pull out your key takeaways. I tend to move quickly, so this step helps me to pause, reflect and let breakthroughs sink in. It’s what keeps me from losing sight of everything I've uncovered through the journaling process.
And that’s not even mentioning the stunning coloring pages, book club chapter, and other thoughtful details!
JOIN ME ON MY JOURNEY
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to connect with yourself, I can’t recommend Let’s Get Real enough. It’s changed the way I journal and how I tap into my brightest self.
LET’S STAY IN TOUCH
If you'd like to hear more about my experience with Let's Get Real, or learn more about my Bright Light journey, connect with me on social media @BrightLightLiv. Plus, stay tuned for my new Bright Light Blog, where I’ll share more tools, practices, and reflections just like this.
Be it, beam it,
Olivia Boyd
SOURCE
The Power of Journaling - Child Mind Institute