Breakups, passings, job loss, rough days, and general sadness- we’ve all experienced these heartaches and the emotional wounds they create. Journaling can help to heal the wounds that have surfaced due to these normal, yet unpredictable and sometimes difficult to handle situations.

It’s normal to want to avoid the things that upset us. It’s normal to want to do the  opposite of writing them down – hide them away. However, they stay in our subconscious minds until we can embrace and release the pain, which is where journaling comes into play.

Journaling is a way to clean up the dirt in our lives- to declutter and reflect. By writing down your emotions, you’re letting go of those deep rooted feelings and the pain you are feeling. By expressing your sadness, rather than letting it boil up inside, you’ve allowed yourself to heal and express yourself on paper. The gift of mental health is one of the most important things you can give yourself. By journaling, you are helping to resolve your inner struggles before they overpower your day-to-day life.

Purchase a blank journal. Journal for just 20 minutes per day. Every day may not be accompanied by sadness. It’s normal to feel sad only some days and happy other days. By committing to 20 minutes per day, you are giving yourself the freedom to express yourself after a hard day at work or the most wonderful day you have had this week. Either way, journaling through the happy and sad times will establish a routine that is difficult to break. Before you know it, you’ll be established in your journaling routine and writing with ease, releasing your emotions and cleansing your mind.

Clearing up negative emotions will help establish a life full of self-love rather than self-pity. By withdrawing the negative from your life and overcoming emotional wounds, you are brightening up your life, and bringing strength into everything you do.

Find solace in your writing, peace in your heart, and happiness in your life. Journaling is the simplest and most effective way to tidy up your life. Tune into your feelings and be honest in your writing. The only way to heal an emotional wound is to clean it out, disinfect, and let it heal. Give it a try! Grab your favorite pen, a journal and a quite spot. Just 20 minutes per day could make the difference of a lifetime of happiness.