Journaling and goal setting

[Ladybird37]

I’ve just finished a course of hypnotherapy that’s really helped me feel much better about life and move on from some problems i’ve had in the past few years. I want to keep up the momentum of feeling good ,start setting myself some small goals and keeping a journal. Does anyone know of good books/blogs that might help me understand how this works and any really good journals that I can start with?

What kind of journal OP? There are loads of ideas and links to blogs etc on Pinterest, if you just type journal/goal-setting/ etc into the search box.

I use a bullet journal and absolute love it. I'm using a Leuchtturm at the moment, but I've used bullet journals from Tiger before and they're excellent.

Pinterest - great idea, I didn’t think of that. I kind of want something to fill in that will give me guidance. I’m not great and getting things out of my head on to paper. I want to think about long term goals and how to get started on achieving them. It’s also 5 years since a big life event this week and I want to organise my thoughts on how life has changed since then. I’ve tried just writing before and come to a stop. I’ll look at those, thanks. How do you feel it helps you? Are you a natural writer?

I agree, Pinterest is full of ideas.
Also, you can read here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3463780-Any-bujo-wankers-still-around
I bought a Filofax refillable notebook which has moveable pages (much like a twinlock binder does, but is neat and has an assortment of different papers to buy) as I found the self inflicted pressure to ‘spoil’ a book put me off starting my BuJo. The papers have discreet slits to anchor them, not holes.
I also looked at several books in Waterstones before buying
www.amazon.co.uk/How-Bullet-Plan-Everything-Journaling/dp/0752266373/ref=sr_1_2?s=gateway&keywords=Bullet+journal+method&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1566546248&sr=8-2
As this book gave simple ideas and helped me focus to start off. There are several available, but many are too wordy, too simplified, too young (aimed at students), or aimed at professional executives. I just wanted straightforward ideas to get me started and now I’ve got used to this sort of subject divided diary method and appreciated the benefit of focussing on certain areas of my life, I’ve developed and extended my journaling to include subjects I’d never thought of.
I hope you enjoy exploring.

There are loads of gorgeous ‘guiding’ planners with prompts out there, try Kiki K, Typo, and I even saw some in WH Smith last week. If you’re in London, Selfridges had a lot too.

I’ve just read your second post.
I started by needing to focus on recovering from a trauma which had affected several parts of my life (some of which I hadn’t realised) and didn’t know where to start with writing it all down and sifting through the different facets.
By looking at different BuJo methods and the seemingly endless suggestions, I started with listing small goals which helped me have a sense of achievement when reached and then writing about the aims and objectives of bigger goals.
I needed different areas of my life to be divided as to start off (or indeed to finish with) was such a daunting process, I didn’t know where to start because a daily or weekly diary/journal was all encompassing and I didn’t know where to start or finish.
It certainly helped me to compartmentalise and prioritise and not be in a rush not to forget anything, if you see what I mean, as it became a weekly habit which I viewed as almost a nurturing activity.
Journaling of any kind is very personal so you’ll find a lot of ideas for bulleting lists which can help to start you off. I looked at BuJo books but found them prescriptive and limiting, preferring to be flexible with blank dotted pages. I wish you well with this.

I’ve been to the shops and bought a busy b bullet journal and a pack of pens. I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to spoil the book, perfectionist tendencies like that don’t seem to help me. Thanks for the resources, I will look at bujo and Pinterest. Did you all go in to this knowing that you wanted to write regularly. I have so many things jumbled up in my head that I want to write down and plan and I want to capture the positive feelings I have right now for when times aren’t so good. I just struggle with getting those things out and I hope it’ll come with practice.

Italia I was thinking of that bujo thread you linked to, and I couldn't find it - thank you for linking to it, it's a good thread as it discusses loads of different approaches to journalling.

OP, yes I feel the need to write every day. I just use my journal for everything really - so I just divide it up as I go into daily tasks, reminders, events, etc. So it's really a blank notebook and I put in what I want.

But I also use it for goals, things I want to try, etc. I find my brain doesn't get so "clogged" when I have put stuff down on paper, like if it's on the page, it's taken care of because I don't have to give mental energy to thinking about it again. I might have to do the actual task itself, but I don't have it constantly popping into my head etc and worrying that I have to remember.

Also I like to have goals and plans written down as things to look forward to/stay focused on/stay positive about.

It's helped my mental health and quality of life massively. It sounds totally dramatic to say that, but it really has.

Wishing you all the best

Yes OP just going back to your previous post - that's exactly what I meant, to capture positive feelings and goals, and go back to them to reinforce what ware trying to do - that's exactly it.

Thanks to you both for explaining what works for you. I’ll go off and look at those suggestions and try to start tonight. I’m glad I have the blank notebook so I can do more sone days and less on others. One more question, do you start with different headings/tasks that you do each day or is it more fluid? Do you tend to update as you go or have different sections/books? I love that you both say it’s helped with your state of mind and challenges how you think about things.

The Happiness Planner has been really helpful for me. It has sections for 5 and 10 year goals that you complete at the start, and a page per day for mini goals, and a weekly page for reflection.