Heartbeat on Paper
If You get on Google and search “definitions of journaling”, You will see definitions like this one: Journaling is an essential part of objective record-keeping and allows for concise review and records transfer later in the accounting process. Journals are often reviewed as part of a trade or audit process, along with general ledgers.
But let me tell You that journaling is much more than record-keeping and is used for more than trade. Since I didn’t like any of the definitions I found through Google, I created my own:
Journaling is the action of taking Your heart and pouring it out on paper.
A majority of people I have asked aren’t a fan of writing, but I personally think that is because in school, You have to write to standards. Your teacher gives you a topic, due date, reminds You of MLA format, and grades Your writing. I enjoy writing, yet, I still don’t love the process of writing essays for school. You don’t get the opportunity to be creative and even if You somewhat do, there are still rubrics to follow and topics to stick to.
Journaling is completely different. There’s no format to follow and no standards to reach. You are free; free to write everything in Your heart, mind, and life. The chains of Your teacher’s approval have been broke and destroyed. It’s Your time now, Your turn, Your chance to be You without the cares of the world.
Journaling is actually good for You! It’s not only a chance to write what You want and buy cute journals, but it improves Your mental health, as well. I have been working on improving my mental health for some time now and journaling is a great start. It was just a coincidence that week one of reading this book, 52 Small Changes for The Mind was about journaling and how to get started.
Here are the tips that were inspired by this book for starting to journal:
1. Set a goal of how much time You would like to spend journaling. Although journaling should feel natural, when You are just getting started, it will most likely benefit You to decide on a goal of time to spend in the process. An example of that could be spending ten minutes of each day or every other day to sit down and write about Your emotions, feelings, and thoughts. Eventually, ten minutes wouldn’t be long enough for You.
2. Overthinking does not exist while journaling. Well, actually, it does..but don’t let it ! There is no wrong or right way to journal. The time You spend journaling is a time that You exist in Your own world with Your own emotions, experiences, and thoughts. There are no rules to follow. Spelling, grammar, and the length of what You write do not matter during the time You journal.
3. Sometimes when You sit down to journal, You may not know what to write about. Choosing a topic may be helpful. I actually have different journals for different topics and I will mention those later. If You are sticking to one journal to write about everything in, or the one that You write most about what’s in Your heart, always start with the way You are feeling at that very moment. Think about Your relationships, work, dreams, and Your fears. Children tend to speak their minds and thoughts more freely, so let Your inner child come out as You take a pen or pencil to paper.
4. Your journal is Yours and only meant for You to see. Keep it private, always. If You had a journal or diary in the past, only to find out someone read it, as hard as that must have been, don’t let it stop You from privately journaling. As You grow older, access to ensuring Your privacy is greater. If You would like to journal digitally, keep Your journal as a file on your computer and password-protect it. There are also apps on the app store on Your phone that are password-protected if You would be interested in that, too. I know that I personally love writing in a paper journal so if You prefer that, but are concerned with privacy, consider keeping it in a safe or under lock and key in a desk drawer.
5. Journaling is not just about writing words. If You enjoy being creative or artistic, take Your journaling into multimedia format. You can create voice recordings or videos, paint, sketch, or any other medium You prefer.
* If You happen to buy 52 Small Changes For The Mind by Brett Blumenthal, I suggest You have a separate journal to record Your changes in.
I have multiple journals because I like having one for each different topic I write about. The small one in this picture is the journal I outline what I read in my Bible and what I interpret from the scripture. I also use this journal to take notes at retreats such as Disciple Now, which You can see above. You can also see that I wrote in colored pens and I usually do this in almost all of my journals. I do that to organize exactly what I am writing and because I simply just like writing in color. 
I wrote in multiple colored pens on this separate sheet of paper because each different color represents one individual verse I was interpreting.
If You read the Bible and like to take notes, I would highly suggest having a different journal to do so. I would also like to suggest that You use either the same or a different journal to write down the scriptures You highlight or underline in Your Bible so that if or when You get a new Bible, You have those scriptures written down to mark in Your new Bible.
When I journal, I ALWAYS listen to music. I really don’t like silence too much. Listening to music actually helps me when I can’t think of something to write about. I have a playlist on my phone just for when I journal so I can turn my music on, put my iPhone on Do Not Disturb, and stay off of it so I don’t have the distractions of the world. The songs on my playlist are happy and uplifting, but there are sad songs, too. The reason for that is so all my emotions and feelings can be felt and released through the movement of my hand and my colored pen onto paper.
This particular journal is actually used for me to write down songs that are upbeat or good for a party. I just recently started doing this on a train ride to Chicago back in January. I thought it’d be cool to do for whenever I have a get-together because I can go through this journal and make a playlist. I also can look back and read through this journal in the future to see what music was popular and the kind of music I liked during my teenage years.
I began to write in this journal on the way to Chicago. This journal is used for when I go on trips and want to write about them so I can look back in the future. I had a pretty busy weekend and didn’t have much journaling time so I have yet to add to this and write the details of the trip. Especially if You love to travel, I would definitely suggest having a traveling journal that You can tape pictures in and write down what You did.
This is my prayer journal. I use this to write down other people’s prayer requests and take time to pray for them, usually while I spend a couple hours journaling and reading my Bible. A couple hours may seem like a lot of time to spend journaling, but I haven’t been doing it much since January so when I do, I spend a lot of time praying, reading my Bible and taking notes, and writing in all the journals I use.The very first picture in this blog is the journal I use to write what is on my heart, mind, and going on in my life. But the special thing about this journal is that I do so by writing to God. I write letters to God in this journal and then usually I read them outloud in a way to pray and talk to Him so He can hear and see me saying what I’m feeling and what’s going on in my life. I also praise and thank God so I don’t lose sight of the good He has done and continues to do for me. Writing letters to God is not a necessity even if You do believe in Him, but it is just something I prefer and enjoy doing to strengthen my faith.
Journaling is actually good for the brain because it encourages and helps You to think more and freely, which can affect the the more creative, intuitive right side of Our brain to potentially reveal more innovative solutions to problems You face. Journaling about the challenges in Your life can give You more sight of solutions and helps You to sort through Your issues in life. Journaling about challenges also gives You sight to other people’s perspectives and be more open to what they are feeling or thinking. This helps You to approach problems calmly and rationally. Journaling gives You more self-awareness and a deeper connection with Your emotions, even when they are painful. The more connected You are, the more growth and personal development You will have. This information is from 52 Small Changes For The Mind.
Journaling is actually good for the brain because it encourages and helps You to think more and freely, which can affect the the more creative, intuitive right side of Our brain to potentially reveal more innovative solutions to problems You face. Journaling about the challenges in Your life can give You more sight of solutions and helps You to sort through Your issues in life. Journaling about challenges also gives You sight to other people’s perspectives and be more open to what they are feeling or thinking. This helps You to approach problems calmly and rationally. Journaling gives You more self-awareness and a deeper connection with Your emotions, even when they are painful. The more connected You are, the more growth and personal development You will have. This information is from 52 Small Changes For The Mind.Light a candle, put on comfy clothes, turn on acoustic music, and write. Let Your heart beat on paper.
Book: 52 Small Changes for The Mind | Bible: Bible For Women, Women’s Study Bible | Journals: Rifle Paper Co., Watercolor, Woodcover | Journaling Pens: Colored or Black | Candle: on sale here in large or small
Amy Henson
02/12/2016Great job, Carly! When I recommend journaling to my clients, I explain that when you journal, you are able to tap into your unconscious; you may even surprise yourself by what appears on the paper! Writing with your non-dominant hand really does this, btw! I’m so glad you found this outlet and wrote so insightfully for your readers! Keep up the good work! 😊🙌🏻👏🏻
Mary Hobson
02/12/2016Very good tips…. Thanks, Carly
Lucy Ladley - Luscious Fibers
02/12/2016Heartbeat On Paper by Carly Hensel was such a dear, sweet and motivating blog to read! Carly truly is an inspiration for all ages of people. Our Lord Jesus is working through Carly in a mighy way. The Disciple Now retreat sounds like it was another faith deepening experience. Carly, you are a treasure and a blessing!
Deanne
02/12/2016Wow, Carly! What a gift you have to write so freely and so well. Back in my high school days (30 yrs ago-ouch), I actually enjoyed writing and felt it was quite easy. Needless to say, life got busy, I never kept up with it, and it is something I struggle with to this day. I am going to purchase that book and keep drawing inspiration from you. Thank you. I am looking forward to whatever else you bless us with.
Monica erre
02/12/2016Beautiful words Carly…. You have a big heart and you are a good writer!….Congratulations!
Joey
02/12/2016Excellent post! I hope this is not the last time we here from you on this blog 😉 I moved when I was a sophomore in high school, and it took me months to find a group I really connected with. I spent my Friday and Saturday nights at home in my room journaling, (my parents are cool by the way 😉 ) but I grew so much in the Lord doing EXACTLY what you’re doing. As a girl in her 30’s I long for more time, but realize I just need to make the time. Your mom has been a great kind voice about “just get it done.” It’s an excellent tool I recommend to clients, and it is habit I need to get back in to. Thank you for writing this post!
Gracie
02/12/2016I really enjoyed this post.
As a primary school teacher, I understand about constantly asking children to write to the topic. We have free-write journals, yet never seem to get around to them. This is a great reminder to make time for them. Thank you.
Denise Jasenovec
02/12/2016I really loved reading this post Carly. Journaling is so relaxing and spiritual. Pen to paper journaling always make me feel more fulfilled. You’re a special young lady and I’m sure your mom is so proud of you! Thanks for sharing. You’re future is in good hands, your own! ❤️
Sara
02/12/2016I’m so glad I asked the right person for advice on journaling! Carly did a great job! Love all her advice especially her journaling to God. She gave me a bunch of ideas and I can’t wait to get started! Thanks for the guest post 🙂
Keri
02/13/2016Carly, such a beautiful, inspirational blog post. You were blessed with a gift of writing. I used to write in diaries when I was young and you’ve made me want to go buy a journal now. Thank you for sharing. Side note: Tracy, I know you must be so proud of your girl here.
Karen
02/13/2016Carly, This is such an inspirational blog. I see I missed out. I will definitely have my granddaughter read your blog in hopes that she will soon journal herself. Thank you for sharing.