Reset Your Mind Emotionally and Effectively: Journaling for Mental Clarity

It's the beginning of the year and back to the grind for most people. We don't know about you but no matter how hard we seem to try, it seems like we're caught in a never-ending cycle of tasks, struggling to keep up with our to-do lists.

Here at MyTreat, we have a few productivity hacks and tools in place (a buffer board, chunking tasks into bite-sized pieces, cuppas of coffee and tea, etc.) but some of us still struggle. We wonder what's the real culprit behind this relentless cycle.

Cue: Our emotions.

Emotions seem to have a say in everything we do. They drain us, influence our stamina, and, yes, they run amok more often than not. Like those hidden browser cookies, emotions accumulate at every turn, impacting our motivation, habits, and overall mental health.

And so we need to address these emotions. Yes, sometimes we can push them aside and get on with it but it's important to know how to acknowledge, sift through, and understand them. After all, our goal is to break free from the endless loop of emotional exhaustion and autopilot living.

Enter: Journaling.

Now, before you dismiss it for "not having time" or "not liking writing", let's debunk a few myths about journaling.

Journaling can be efficient, customised to your preferences, and doesn't have to be about mundane recounts of your day. It also doesn't have to take long.

Journaling, in essence, allows you to reset emotionally and create a better mental space. It's a pathway to feeling, reflecting, and analysing. When you jot down feelings, you embark on a journey of self-connection and discovery.

So, how can you journal effectively? It doesn't have to be just writing. Creative expressions like art journaling or junk journaling offer powerful alternatives. Additionally, another effective method of journaling is prompt or list-based journaling.

Art Journaling

Express emotions through art—sketch, paint, or doodle. Let colours and mediums be your voice. Sometimes, connecting with your inner child through colours can be incredibly healing.

Scrap/Junk Journaling

Use everyday 'junk' like receipts, skincare cardboard boxes (the ones you may have received in your monthly MyTreat boxes), strings, bows, or anything you fancy to create an expressive journal. It's a unique and therapeutic way to address your mental health journey.

Prompt/List Journaling

Use specific prompts or create lists to capture your emotions. For instance, you could make a daily gratitude list, jot down moments of joy, or simply list your emotions at various times during the day.

Therefore, we've included the Isla Self-Care Journal—a thoughtful creation designed to bring simplicity and purpose to your journaling routine—in our Plus, LUXE and Wellness JanuaReset 2024 Boxes. In the fast-paced rhythm of daily life, it's all too easy to forget the importance of nurturing oneself. That's why owner Kash Harvey (yes, the same Kash behind Skye Candle And Body Care) designed this journal with a focus on prompted ease and simplicity, ensuring that you get to seamlessly integrate journaling into your busy schedule.

The straightforward pages of the Isla Self-Care Journal include an element of creative journaling too with mood emojis, energy bars and water intake to fill up and doodle on.

Here's how you can maximise the Isla Self-Care Journal's full potential:

1. Set Daily Goals: Begin your day with intention by setting clear and achievable goals. Use the top half of a day's page to jot down what you aim to accomplish, fostering a sense of purpose from the moment you wake up. 

2. Check In On Yourself & Check Your Self-Care Tasks: Allocate time for self-care by making sure you tick specific activities or practices. Whether it's a quiet moment with a book, a long shower or bath, or indulging in a sweet treat; the middle of the page is dedicated to mapping out your self-care routine and checking in on yourself throughout the day.

3. Reflect and Celebrate: As you check off your goals and self-care activities, take a moment to reflect and be thankful for your achievements. And list down some things you didn't manage to do but will do tomorrow. The journal provides a space for acknowledgment and gratitude-listing on the bottom of the page, filling you with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Therefore, to make the most of the Isla Self-Care Journal, Kash recommends using the first half in the morning to set your intentions for the day ahead. In just 5 minutes, you can lay the foundation for a purposeful and mindful day. As evening approaches, revisit the journal's second half to reflect on your accomplishments, plan your self-care activities, and unwind. These brief moments of reflection, captured in a mere 5 minutes each morning and night, hold the power to transform your wellbeing.

So, give journaling a proper shot today and the rest of the month or year. You'll discover the emotional treasure trove within you, waiting to be acknowledged and heard—by you.