| a journal actually lead one to health and | | | | writing and continue for the full ten minutes. Afraid |
| well-being? As both a writer and health enthusiast, | | | | you'll run out of things to write? No problem. |
| this is a question I've given lots of thought to. As | | | | When you get stuck just keep the hand moving |
| it turns out, I'm not the only one. Upon further | | | | along and write things like, "I am looking for |
| research, there's been a considerable amount of | | | | something to write.... I am looking for something |
| press given to the idea that your journal could be | | | | to write..." before you know it you'll be carrying on |
| a path to health and wellness. In fact, Southern | | | | a conversation with yourself. |
| Methodist University and Ohio State University | | | | Unsent Letters |
| College of Medicine studied the effects of creative | | | | Anger is always a good muse, but I tend to use |
| journaling and found it conclusive in cleansing | | | | this emotion as a catalyst to creativity. Something |
| negative emotions and promoting a sense of | | | | or someone upsetting you? Get creative and |
| well-being | | | | purge your negative energy. How? Write a letter. |
| (ref: | | | | You won't need to send it. In fact as a ritual to |
| In my own experience as a writer (and I think | | | | closure I have been known to write angry letters |
| most creative types will agree) being creative is | | | | then shred them, burn them or (insert your idea |
| not just an exercise, work or discipline - it's a | | | | here). In fact this exercise has been shown to |
| necessity. In fact, I never quite understood my | | | | heal negative energy and provoke closure with |
| own personality until I was immersed full-time in a | | | | angry emotions. Try it - then let me know (Laura |
| purely science, left-brained college program. I | | | | ). |
| would often feel tired, lethargic and uninspired | | | | Creative Journaling Exercises |
| (clearly there was more at fault here than having | | | | When I am feeling less that inspired, or want to |
| to memorize the phone book). | | | | get the muses warmed up I sometimes like to |
| According to Carl Jung and Myers-Briggs (the | | | | take creative writing classes online or off, or do |
| creators of standardized personality and interest | | | | some creative journaling exercises. If you like the |
| testing) introverted types draw energy from | | | | idea of sharing your writing, take a creative |
| themselves and less from other people. We like | | | | writing course nearby. Check your local Chamber |
| to be alone a lot and give lots of thought to the | | | | of Commerce or if you prefer the convenience |
| world at large. Our extroverted counterparts, on | | | | of online classes there's lots to choose from. I've |
| the other hand, can also be equally as creative, | | | | taken courses online at Barnes and Noble |
| but tend to draw their energy from others. Either | | | | University and Gotham Writers' Workshops: both |
| way you go, emotions can sometimes become | | | | with positive results. |
| overwhelming, need to be filtered then let go. | | | | However, if you'd like to go it solo, give this |
| Over time, (even amidst the sterile science | | | | exercise a try. This one was created by my |
| program) I've learned that I can find peace quickly | | | | Mother, Donna. She is a writer, artist and teacher |
| by turning to my notebook when upset or in | | | | (a real right-brainer!), she handed this exercise to |
| need of inspiration. And - I'd be willing to guess - | | | | me when I was feeling stuck and uninspired. Not |
| this idea is not exclusive to the right-brained. | | | | only does this exercise stimulate your creativity, |
| So back to the original thesis: Regardless of | | | | use this healthy exercise to get you thinking |
| personality, can writing be useful to you and your | | | | about taking time for yourself. |
| health? Hopefully, by now I've convinced you it | | | | Have your notebook ready? Set your timer again |
| can. How to get journaling working for you? Well, | | | | if you'd like and aim to come up with the list "20 |
| that's where I'll step in - here I've given you three | | | | things that make me happy." If your time was |
| of my favorite exercises to help get you started. | | | | entirely your own, what are the 20 things you'd |
| Timed Writings | | | | want to do? |
| In her book Writing Down The Bones, Natalie | | | | Ready? Now hit your timer and take this one for |
| Goldberg has outlined a sure-fire method to | | | | a test drive. When you've finished, put your pen |
| invoke the muses and get the inspiration flowing. | | | | and paper away. |
| Timed writings. | | | | Tomorrow take a few quiet moments and bring |
| Timed writings go something like this... collect your | | | | out your list again, add delete and edit. Now when |
| materials: timer, notebook and pen. Sit at your | | | | you're not feeling like yourself, take this list out |
| desk or wherever the spirit takes you | | | | and copy it over again. Try to take time |
| (Starbucks, Borders, Barnes & Noble) launch | | | | everyday to do one thing that makes you happy |
| your timer for ten minutes, place pen to paper | | | | and continue over time to add to your list. Keep |
| and see what comes forth. | | | | up your practice and you'll find - happiness is not |
| There are only two rules at play here: don't stop | | | | just a fixture in your mind. |