The fall season, for most of us, is also usually accompanied by a time of reflection. Our reflection could be on our lives, our relationships, our goals and the list can continue. We are encouraged to reflect on and give thanks for others.  Whether it is a person or group of people who are actively touching our lives or a helping hand that doesn’t even realize you have used them as a source of inspiration or encouragement.

To aid in this reflection, I have decided to journal a bit more. Journaling helps me to reflect more on my life and my interactions with others. Now, obviously,  this can be done all year long and at all times. However during this season of Thanksgiving we are naturally more contemplative and reflective.

So, if you want to begin a journal,  now is one of the easier times to do so. The simplest start being to write about one thing, or more than one if you feel the urge,  that you’re grateful for each day. It’s one of the easiest ways to just write about something.

Another topic you can journal about is a recap of your day.  It is basically a retelling of the day combined with your feelings, emotions or your visceral responses whether or not you acted on them in real life. I find this type of journaling very therapeutic, but only in small doses. After a while it just feels like complaining and ultimately that’s not what I want to keep or look back at. So,  to vary this and help me to keep journaling, I balance it with gratitude or some sort of positive feedback.

Ultimately,  your journal can be whatever you want it to be.  It doesn’t even have to have words,  but can just be a visual record. Have fun,  grab a hot drink,  a cozy blanket,  your favourite chair, your notebook and a writing or drawing tool. I have included a journal PDF with a list of prompts if you would like a few ideas.