Writing Through Change

How Journaling Can Help During Life Transitions

A new year brings excitement and a desire to implement changes in our lives—changes that can enhance our productivity, proactivity, and purposefulness in various aspects. This sentiment resonates with me as well!

In this shared space of journaling, you'll discover articles designed to guide you in navigating all phases of your profession and personal life. As a certified Journal Therapist, I aim to equip you with insights, practices, and thought-provoking wisdom that can enrich your life’s journey.

With that in mind, let's focus on the task at hand—helping you write YOUR way through change!

The Reality

At each stage of our lives, we will go through various seasons and cycles, and it is through this that we get to grow, improve and step further into our identity. During these phases, we can become overwhelmed, anxious, and doubtful (just to name a few emotional stressors), however, with a little assistance you can work your way through and navigate these periods with more ease and less discomfort.

And here's how... WITH THERAPEUTIC WRITING PRACTICES.

Writing practices in the form of #journaling, #letterwriting, and #lists can make a huge difference in the way you choose to take that next pivotal step. Writing therapies such as the one listed (but not limited to) are powerful tools to process emotions, gain clarity, and navigate through uncertainty during transitions.

Acknowledging Your Current Feelings

For example, if you were going through a career shift you might be feeling an array of emotions, from being excited to being fearful. Recognising your emotions can help you to understand them better, thereby getting them out of your head and onto the pages of your journal, phone notes or scrap bit of paper can have a profound impact on your perspective.

In this instance you could do the following;

Write a letter to your future self, imagining where you want to be in one year. Reflect on what excites you about this change and what scares you.

You could also explore ways to empower yourself before you start the new role by listing your strengths by writing about a time you overcame a challenge in the past. What did you learn? How can this inform your next steps?

Lastly, you may want to take it a step further by taking the time to set yourself some realistic goals. As you journal your goals in small, manageable steps you will be able to define what success looks like for you and create a roadmap that is representative of that.

Journaling for Relationship Transitions

For some of you, relationships in any capacity can be testing, and unexpected, but also beautiful. Whether it's navigating a breakup, a new relationship, or a change in family dynamics, journaling helps you process your emotional state. Through our ability to focus on aspects of self-discovery, forgiveness and/or determine our emotional responses/reactions we can not only change our mindsets but also position ourselves in a more empathic and compassionate way of being. Taking time to actively do these prompts can jumpstart your self-awareness when it comes to relationships, and overcoming the shifts that can arise.

Reflect on your needs and boundaries. Write about what you value most in relationships and how you want to grow together with others.
Write about your passions, interests, and qualities that make you unique. What parts of yourself do you want to nurture during this time?
Write a forgiveness letter (you don’t have to send it). This can be a way to release negative emotions and free yourself.

Journaling for Personal Growth

Personal growth is a journey that frequently requires navigating through periods of discomfort and unease. This discomfort is not merely an obstacle; rather, it serves as a vital catalyst for transformation and self-improvement. It is during these challenging moments that we have the opportunity to reflect on our experiences, confront our fears, and ultimately evolve into a more resilient version of ourselves. By regularly putting pen to paper, you can articulate your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to confront the discomfort head-on. Through the practice of journaling, you can track your progress, identify patterns in your behaviour, and embrace the changes that come with personal growth, making the journey more meaningful and insightful.

Embrace change by writing about the discomfort you're experiencing and ask yourself, "How can this change help me grow?".

Track your progress reflecting on where you were before and where you are now. Use journaling as a tool to mark your progress and celebrate milestones. A great way to incorporate this into your daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/yearly is by

recording the task
stating your mindset, emotions and behaviour before and after the task has been completed.

Another practice you can do to help you improve your personal development is visualising the future you desire. For me, I would write down a written prayer/petition to God about the desires I have. An alternative way for you to intentionally set the tone for the coming months could be creating a vision board in your journal. Write about your aspirations, dreams, and the values that guide you through transitions.

Key Takeaways

Journaling is a judgment-free zone. Each practice listed is to help you navigate those difficult seasons therapeutically and methodically.
Be compassionate with yourself with is word scribed onto the page.
Use journaling and other forms of writing therapies to help you seek patterns and insights into where you are, who you and how you can improve upon those areas of your life.
Journaling helps you to gain clarity, build confidence and empower yourself.
It's a safe space for you to explore all areas of your life and facets of your identity, so come to the page as you are - the only expectation is to BE YOU!

Added Bonus

Incorporating Scripture for Strength During Transitions

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19 – "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Reflection: This scripture reminds us that, even amid transitions, God is always at work, creating new paths and possibilities. It encourages us to have faith that change can lead to growth and transformation, even when the way ahead seems unclear.
Application: Reflect on how you can trust in God’s guidance during your transition. He is making a way even when you can’t yet see it.

Journal Prompt

"What new opportunities or insights might be emerging in my life during this transition? How can I trust that God is making a way where I see only obstacles?"

How to Use It: Start by writing about any changes you're currently navigating. Acknowledge the challenges you’re facing, then shift focus to the potential new things that are growing within you. Ask yourself how you can align your actions with faith, trust, and openness to God's direction during this season.

Embrace Your Transformation

Hey, I’m Nadine Robinson! I’m a certified Journal Therapist, Mentor, Facilitator, and Author. I’m passionate about helping young people tap into their inner clarity and confidence through writing. Supporting young people in their emotional and mental well-being is something I deeply believe in—it’s an act of service that can shape the future for generations to come.

Ready to start your journey? I offer Writing Therapy Programs, Workshops and upcoming mentorship POWER Circle - Join Waiting List.

Book a consultation today and begin writing your next chapter with purpose.