5 New - and more creative - ways to Journal!

We frequently read about and are told how good journalling is for stress and anxiety. I'm a true believer in this, after all, this is how I started blogging. By not writing, I was anxious and felt like I had a lot bottled up. Not just emotions but words, ideas and thoughts.

You might call me a bookworm or a book and reading enthusiast, but not all of us are. We're not all writers, or even necessarily creative in a conventional way. But some of us do tend to get caught up in our heads. Maybe we spiral with our thoughts. Maybe they wake us in the night or prevent us from falling asleep in the first place. Maybe there's something we want to say to another person but we want to choose our words and our message very carefully. Journalling is one of the best ways to help guide us through these processes but when left with a blank page, sometimes our minds also go blank.

So in classic book-nerd fashion I spent a few hours at Chapters/Indigo in a euphoric state, falling in love with dozens of titles and books wanting to take all of them home with me. As a writer and a blogger, writing off the top of my head comes a bit easier, but there are times I want and need to be guided. I want my brain to be stimulated by an idea; Other times I need my brain to be more focused instead of wanting to explode with a hundred different thoughts.

I was so excited by what I found and wanted to share these amazing resources with you. So here are some unconventional ways to journal:

The 52 Lists Project is a book in which you will create a list for each week of the year. Each page will prompt you with different inspirations and ideas for making lists to help with your own self-discovery and expression. Some include listing your favourite movie characters, the best road trip songs, places you want to visit, etc.

Not only are you prompted with what to list, but it gives you the opportunity for self-reflection.











642 Things to Write About is a wonderful book and resource for those of us whom writing comes a bit easier, but still experience the dreaded writer's block. If you want to be creative without sharing your works with others, this is a great way to stretch out those writing muscles.















Wreck this Journal: A creative and very unconventional way to journal, this book will guide you through "exercises" and practices for literally wrecking the book. You might be instructed to rip out a page and crumple it, or spill some coffee on it.
It forces you to make mistakes and be content with imperfection. A great exercise for those who tend to
 perfection. You are given full permission to be messy, to break a book and make it look used.  And even better for those who will get a great sense of relief from the messy and somewhat destructive instructions instead of solely relying on journalling as a writing exercise.

What's even better is that Keri Smith's collection of "Wreck This Journal" is now up to 5 different books/journals.





Finish This Book, also (partially) written by Keri Smith, requires you to literally help her finish this book. Inside is a series of missions - if you should choose to accept them - with guided instructions.

This book takes the guess work out of the equation and all you need to do is follow her instructions, using your own words and creativity along the way.










The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook was just one of several workbooks found in the Well-being book section that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques.  These types of workbooks are extremely helpful for helping you get to the root of any emotional and mental issues you're experiencing.

This book will guide you step-by-step to help you recognize your feelings and the experiences that accompany them. It will help you to identify your triggers for anxiety and stress, and teach you how to utilize stress management techniques.

Workbooks such as this are wonderful when you feel stuck or when you're struggling to overcome a specific or general type of stress.

Stepping into your "Right-Brain"

I recently re-watched Jill Bolte Taylor's TED talk. She's a neurology researcher who suffered a stroke and relives the experience for her audience, describing the sensations and thoughts she encountered at the time. I'm in tears every time I reach the end of her talk. Not just because she went through something so terrifying, but because of the message she leaves you with.

Having done a decade of post-secondary education, I'm what my family considered a "permanent student". Even now, I continue to research, to learn, to catalogue information. I use the left-side of my brain most often; calculating and analyzing journal articles and new research.

Jill, a fellow scientist, brought up an interesting point: We all have a choice of which reality we want to live in at any given moment; You can live in the analytical "Left side" - which is great while at work or when trying to figure out something, but you can also step into the "Right Side" of the brain and be connected to the world at any given moment.

What is the "right side" of the brain? 
It's the "creativity" side. Working puzzles, learning a new skill, exploring your imagination, writing, dancing, painting, drawing, colouring.

Why is this important? I think we need to access that side more often in our world. I was listening to an old podcast of comedian Bryan Callen where he mentioned the incredible fact that he gets paid to use his imagination. How many of us can say that? So why not?

Do something each day to access that side of your brain. Maybe that's another reason why adult colouring books are so popular. We now have another way of using the right-side of our brains. For adults, this isn't always easy. We have responsibilities, work, bills to pay. But life isn't just about working to make money, to pay bills and save up for retirement. It's about experiencing the world around us. Don't ever forget to connect with nature, connect with creativity - no matter what that means for you. You might think you're terrible at drawing. Maybe you actually hate colouring, but there is always another activity that you can do. Remember that this is just for you. No one will judge you. And make sure to do something that you enjoy.

Maybe that's what stops many of us from exploring our creativity: the fear of being judged. I have an entire folder on my computer of stories and novels that I've started and most I've never finished. Sometimes a girl just has to write out a chapter or two to get it off her chest. I don't expect anyone else to read it. Once every year I'll go back to it, and I can remember what it was like writing it. I take a little pride in it. And then I'll go start something new.

Things to keep in mind:

• No one needs to see it but you. Keep a portfolio, sketches of something, or nothing. Pick up some paint and a canvas from the dollar store and just fill the space. Make a mess, or put it up on your wall. It doesn't matter. You're doing it for you, no one else. 
• Dance when no one is watching. Swing your arms wildly, spin in circles - just try not to run into furniture! Or download Carmen Electra's striptease aerobics, Zumba or any other video that will teach you choreography step-by-step.
• Sing when no one is listening. My favourite is in the bathtub... you get the best acoustics. 
• Journalling and diary keeping doesn't have to be like it was in grade school. Make lists. maybe they're to-do lists, or "favourite" lists, or something more creative. Need some inspiration? Check out the List App (one of BJ Novac's projects) - other examples:
• best books that made me laugh out loud
• Most bad-ass movie quotes
• Things I say to myself out loud when I'm alone
• Favourite nostalgic moments from the 90's
• best "pump you up" music videos 
• Most impressive or surprising sports moments of the week (apparently the Bronco's had a crazy game last weekend... so document it!)

The point is, we all need time to disconnect from our "analytical" sides and step into our "right-brain" at some point. It keeps us going and nurtures the soul. Use your imagination - it might surprise you :)