We are already embarking on our third year of the decade, and for most of us, this marks our sixth or seventh decade on the Earth.
One of the many beautiful things about the start
of a new year is that it can be an inspiration for change and a new way of
doing and thinking about things.
A new year can be viewed as a chance to
reflect on the past or embark on a different path for the future. It can also
be a time to be more mindful of the blessings around us and figure out how to
avail ourselves of them.
If you believe in New Year’s resolutions, you may
have made some, but in general, there’s a strong chance that they will get
broken. One way to prevent that from happening is to take the time to write down
your intentions.
Whether you do so on a computer, in a journal,
or in a letter to someone far away, it’s important to always keep some writing
material nearby, because often ideas will come to you when you’re not sitting
down to write.
Having something to write on nearby also
allows you to glance at your musings, and maybe write when you have more time.
How to Start Journaling
There are many ways to jump-start your
journaling practice. I say practice,
because like meditating, it’s a good idea to do it every day. One way to
journal is to do stream-of-consciousness
writing, and the other type of journaling is directed by writing prompts. I will
discuss both of them below.
Stream-of-consciousness writing, which I
discuss in my book, Writing for
Bliss: Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life, occurs
when you write continually for a designated period of time – let’s say, 15 or 20 minutes.
This is one way to tap into your subconscious
mind or to release any inhibitions you may have. It’s also a way to tap into
your authentic thoughts and voice.
Oftentimes, the best writing emerges with this
type of writing. Some people call this “free writing” or “automatic writing.”
In other words, it is writing that flows regardless of where the words lead.
Your pen keeps moving, or you keep tapping the keys on the keyboard.
Using Writing Prompts
Writing prompts are an excellent way to get
your thoughts on the page, and it’s okay if you begin answering the question in
the prompt and find your thoughts wandering in a different direction.
This might mean there’s another subject that’s
calling to you, and that’s fine. It’s all about finding your bliss through
writing. In my book, Writing for Bliss: A Companion Journal,
I offer a number of useful prompts to inspire and kick-start the writing
process.
Here are some prompts that may be particularly
useful for you for the beginning of a New Year:
A Letter to Self
Write a letter to yourself where you reflect on what happened in 2022. How did it go for you? What might you do differently to make things better in 2023? Discuss your challenges, hurdles, accomplishments, and concerns.
Inspirations
Be mindful of your inspirations. Write about situations
or individuals who inspired you and made you feel good.
Practice Mindfulness
Take about 30 minutes to just sit quietly with
your eyes closed. Don’t speak to anyone or interact with any electronic devices.
Think about yourself, your environment, and the people you regularly associate with.
Now write about your experience in that
stillness. What did you notice? What thoughts were rummaging around in your
mind? Did you focus on just one thing, or did your mind wander to different
aspects of your life?
Nurture Yourself
Write about what you will do to nurture yourself in 2023. What brings solace to your body, mind, and spirit? It can be easy to take on the energies of those around you.
Sometimes you have a choice as to whom those
people will be, but at other times you do not. If you could choose the people
you surround yourself with – that is, those who make you feel joyous
and content – who would those individuals be?
Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
A journal is the perfect place to express your
gratitude for all the good things in your life. Many people tend to journal
when things aren’t going so well, but when you make a habit of noticing all
that is positive around you, then you bring light, instead of darkness, into your life and into the lives of others.
As author Shakti Gawain wrote in his book, Creative Visualization, “The more light you allow within you, the
brighter the world you live in will be.”
Expressing gratitude also offers hope and will
bring a smile to your face. So, write about the small things that make you
happy – perhaps a pair of shoes you love or a food
you enjoy eating – as well as the larger aspects of your
life, such as loved ones you appreciate.
Develop Your Intuition
It has been said that intuitive people listen
to the voices of their souls and follow their instincts. For some people, this
is a developed skill, but for others it comes more naturally.
Write down some questions or concerns you have going into 2023. Stop for a moment and look to your inner soul or higher self and write down the answers. Try to write automatically or use the stream-of-consciousness approach.
A Time of New Beginnings
In the western world, January is a time of renewed creative energy, which can manifest by fulfilling the desires you have for your life. Use this time wisely, and journal your way into new horizons.
May you prosper and have luck in all aspects of your life in 2023!
How do you envision yourself in 2023? Is it time for a new beginning? What will you begin this year? Please share your goals and how you will try to go about accomplishing them!
