The thing is, you CAN get to where you want to be from where you are. As they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Some of those steps... are words.
I noticed a few years ago that my journal entries that start out quite negative end up quite positive. It actually mimicked the arch of my songs, transforming emotions by learning from them. Journaling is alchemy. It can be magical. You’re totally free, the chatter lessens, and the wiser parts of yourself are easier to hear.
Once you externalize your emotions and can look right at them, you can be more objective about them and they feel less personal. It becomes easier to be gentle on yourself too when you acknowledge what you’re feeling. Feelings are real. But they are also not facts. Doing these two things are SO effing transformative: Honoring your feelings and detaching from them.
Meditation is an obvious tool to train your brain into these two modes. Thank GOODNESS the brain is plastic and with practice, we can put a little buffer in our brain to protect us from ourselves. Just a second, just a quick pause makes a world of difference. Feelings are gonna happen but they don’t take over if you see them. That’s also why naming emotions can be a quick and effective strategy in emotionally charged situations. No shame - just name.
I also aim to do this with my songs. I want the listener to feel total acceptance of even unpleasant emotions and then realize the lesson in them. You cannot transform anything you do not accept, so that’s always step one! I’m all about being thorough in my self-help things. And efficient! Lol. I’m quite impatient, but sometimes it’s not necessary for self-help processes to take forever. For me it’s a quick but frequent release, almost a living meditation.
Journalling is one of the best and free ways to help yourself. It’s a way to untangle your mind when it feels impossible. It’s a gentle way to befriend your demons and eventually turn your world (and your mind) into a friendly and even nurturing place.
I’d love to hear your experiences or questions about journaling or songwriting! DM me on instagram @selfhelpsongwriter or email me <3
I’ll be answering some questions on May 29th at NOON CET - (TOMORROW as I post this) with the incredible Journaling Queen Vienda Maria, founder of Plannher, LIVE from the @plannher instagram account. It will be saved in my highlights so you can watch it back if the timing is bad for you:):)
