3 Journals that Will Change the Way You See Your Life

Keeping a journal can be therapeutic. It can help you process your feelings and provide an opportunity to express yourself in a safe way. Research has shown that for some people, journaling amplifies negative emotions and can be hurtful rather than helpful. A new wave of journals can help you harness the healing power of writing down your innermost thoughts and feelings.

Journal prompts can help you to focus on the things that will lead to better health. Rather than ruminating on what went wrong and all the ways you disappointed yourself, these three journals can lead you towards resilience by focusing on thoughts and feelings that promote healing and growth.

Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal by Lori Deschene takes a deep dive into appreciating the bright spots in your life with positivity-promoting prompts such as:

• The best things in life are free, including…

• Though I don’t have everything I want, I do have many things I need, including…

• What positive traits have you developed through hard times, and what do you appreciate about having these characteristics?

The Nocturnal Journal: A late-night exploration of what’s really on your mind by Lee Crutchley offers page after page of prompts that will give you something to toss and turn about:

• It’s late and your phone is buzzing. Who is it and what do they want?

• What are the three heaviest things in your life, and what gives them so much weight?

• Write a letter asking your childhood hero for advice.

Surprise Yourself by Lisa Currie encourages the reader to think outside of the box by providing sweet, silly, and quirky ways to get out of any rut you may be stuck in:

• Leave a book behind for a stranger, (on a park bench, on the train, at a cafe.) Write an inscription on the inside cover. Explain what you liked about the book and why you’ve decided to pass it on to someone else.

• Compliment a stranger. Try to notice something other than how they look… a kind thing you see them do, how nice their vibe is, or a skill you appreciate them sharing with the world.

• Rip off the band-aid! What are some small tasks(half hour or less) that you’ve been avoiding lately? Jot down three things that come to mind. Do one of those tasks right now, and enjoy that sweet relief afterward.

If you find yourself stymied when you sit to write at an empty page, or if your journaling sessions leave you feeling stuck even deeper in the muck and mire of your life, consider finding a journal that offers suggestions along the path. Think of them as breadcrumbs that will lead you on the path to a richer life.