How Journaling for 20 Years Changed My Life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
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Hello there lovely kindred spirit ☀️ Today I'm sharing my immense love for writing and journaling. And how journaling for 20 years has changed and healed my life. I started pretending I was Harriet the Spy when I was 7, running around my neighborhood, climbing trees, and jotting down what I saw in small notebooks. And once I got my first composition notebook, I kept at this habit my entire life. Today I'm sharing what it's done for me, how my writing process has changed, and why it's my greatest treasure.
Sending you a warm hug and may the 4th be with you! ✨😍
Helena!
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Thank you so much for watching my video! :) I post a new video on slow living, simple living and noticing the simple joys every week but if you're curious to see more of my content, check out my blog! As a writer, I have a full archive of posts written on the Simply Joys blog about how to find more joy in your life as well as slow and simple living, mindfulness, and living in France. I hope it brings you as much joy as it did me making it! :) Have a magical day, lovely! ☀️
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Hi dear ... do you believe in Sufism?! I hope I can see your journal... and I could discover your Sufism there
I started writing a daily journal in as a little girl 1969, and one of my favourite entries in that first diary is the day we watched the first human steps on the moon. It was pure magic!
Wow, that Diary entry must be extraordinary to look back upon. I began writing Diaries are Journals ✍ when I was a little girl too. 🥀
I'm 13, and a little over 3 weeks ago I reached 1 year of writing in my journal. I'm really proud, and I hope I always continue it. Mine is digital, but it's still a real journal, and it's much easier for me to stay consistent that way.
Good for you. Keep journaling. I started when I was 18, and now that I am 74 I am going back and reading all of them.
@@scottjessee4152that’s so wholesome and inspiring! I wish one day i can have a large collection of my journals and sketchbooks. How many journals have you had so far?
@@scottjessee4152 wowo
I do go through my old journals; it helps me appreciate how far I have come and how much better off I am now. I'm all gratitude. My journals are also these milestones in my life that help me make sense of my journey thus far. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
I journal and have for years. I’m 66yrs young and have experienced life with many ups and downs. Journaling is truly therapeutic. The journal has been my friend.❤️
This is incredible!! So amazing to hear Tracey 🤗
Thank you you have inspired me I am 78 and I will pick up my book and pen 💖💖💖
I was searching about journaling and came across this ‘i like to be here’ this resonated with me ❤️💝 one thing that sometimes holds me back in journaling is that I don’t wanna relieve painful moments. But writing as a form of release and not looking back is something i should practice more. Thank u for this. I needed this today. 💕
Yes!! Writing is such a big release! Once you get it out on paper, once you feel it out, acknowledge it, own it, scribble it - it's out. Such a powerful practice. And you feel lighter. 💕
Oh my gosh, I wrote a list of what I wanted in a partner too! I met him 2 weeks later (he's my 3rd husband), exactly all the things I had asked for. I was in Argentina and he was in England. We've been married for 8 years and we're soul mates
I’ve been journaling on and off my whole life. Man I wish I had my childhood journals. But I do have journals from the past couple years. It’s defiantly healing to journal and it’s so versatile.
So versatile! I have tons of journals for different ways I use them. They are helpful in all areas of life 🥰
"I don't know what I think until I read what I've said." - E.M. Forester Writing has long been my way to process this life I have. Hang on to those journals. Perhaps one day you will be ready to revisit your words. I've no doubt it will be cathartic to see what a strong, unique,, and intelligent young woman you are.
This explains why you're such a good writer 🥰❤ much love to you Helena from Maui
Aw thank you Sophie!! 💕 Sending you such a big hug beautiful soul!! 🥰
Bjr, Maui c'est où🤔🤔
@@hervedupont6955 Hawaii aux Etats Unis.
I can’t agree more with Helena, my journal is one of my dearest friends, always present and willing to listen. Writing down my thoughts and feelings releases it from my mind. Through the act of journaling, I have found solace and guidance. Thank you for another awesome video.
I love journaling and it is healing to be able to write my thoughts down. I find that it helped with quitting social media as well. Social media trains your mind to think you need to express your every move to people (who don't care about you). And the perception of - If I didn't share it, did it even happen? I began writing in my journals (and creating many of them first by learning how to junk journal, art journal, etc) and it has been a way to relieve anxiety and the need to express myself. Lovely video
Absolutely!! If no one sees it, it didn't happen is such a big belief that many of us carry. It's heavy to live with. Getting off social media last November has lightened my spirit immensely. I don't record much of my day-to-day anymore and my photo gallery in my phone is a lot lighter. Less to manage, more to do things for myself. Such a joy to have in life!! 🥰
Just beautiful words here! I have been journaling for 40 years, like you though, I dont like to go back often and re read. We are constantly changing and that person who wrote last year is not there anymore. Forward motion! Dont look back. NOW< NOW
There is really power in writing down our thoughts. You're amazing Helena! Your hand writing is so beautiful.
So much power when we get those words out there! Thank you beautiful Verena!
I've journaled for 12 years. Love it so much.
Before you even said the name of the book, I thought of it. I’m listening to it now and I’m in awe!
I absolutely love your videos. So inspiring, and i too have this wish to just sit in a cafe with my perfect cup of coffee and read my favourite book (and raining outside would be like cherry on top 😂). Just by imagining myself like that gives me a certain kind of satisfaction. Doing lil things in life can really affect you in a good way and through videos like yours I've learned that. :)) ♥️
I am so glad to have found this video! Thanks, Helena, thanks for reminding how much is important the Art of journaling. I received my first journal for my 8th birthday and since then, I never stop to record my life and my emotions. So, this year - as I am 40 - will be 32 years of journaling. You really get the deeper point of this practice: acknowledging, releasing, recording, tracing, and simply... living fully. :-) Greetings from Italy!
I have always loved journaling, writing about anything writing letters, stories, plays, diaries. Then recently I was in a car accident and I couldn’t think clearly and suffered migraines, it’s taken 3 years but I’m back t writing and wow I have missed it so much! It truly is my favorite simple joy.
Today is my 40th birthday and I have been preparing to start for to long. Today I start. Thank you for this gift!
20 years. Wow 👏 congratulations 👏❤ wonderful video. Thanks 🙂👍
I love journaling too, thank you for being so open and connecting, it makes me feel less alone in it. 😀
I started writing letters at 10, and journaling in my middle 30s. Im 57 now, and everytime I go to Marshall's, I just have to get one of their beautiful journals and yearly planners🤗
Thank you! I will celebrate 10 Years of Journaling in October, with almost 30 Journals. This was very inspiring, I agree with every single word you shared. Best wishes!
Journaling has helped me through so much, too. I used to write a lot when I was a kid and for some reason stopped at a certain age. When I went through a really hard time two years ago, the only thing I could think of doing, that would give me relief and soothe my grief, was writing. And so I picked up a notebook and a pen and haven't stopped since. =)
Journaling is kinda an act of pure self love and self appreciation 💕 it's a form of free therapy to me! It's magical 🥰
Much love sweetheart 💜
I loved your words, your sincere revelations of the past & present+ +! I am in my 70’s & I have been writing my life’s good & bad times, I
copied the lyrics of my favorite songs, info. about the people who sang those, their lives etc. in many note books! (They are mostly from my own culture, from the country I came from). But I am not well organized like you! So, seeing & hearing your amazing life stories, gave an encouragement, a feeling of self love, & a simple happy feeling of being able to connect with a very young human whom I feel close in a mystical way! Ironically, I am in San Diego also.
Thank you .🌹
This video was awesomely beautiful! It’s the way I feel about journaling....on steroids! So eloquently expressed! Thank you 🙏
Oh wow❤️, that was such an inspiration for me. My journaling is a little bit blocked at the moment, and now I have taken my notebook and my pen and begin to write❤️, I have to deal with mental health issues and you are so right. Journaling is therapy. I'm glad to have found you. Greetings from Germany ❤️
I've been journaling and in love with journaling since I was a kid, always loved having so many notebooks to write with, unfortunately I don't know where most of these went but since I was 14 I've been keeping my journals and journaling daily until 2023 I stopped for a year and I decided this year to get back and I can't believe how many thoughts I've been bottling up the second I start writing I don't stop and before I realize it 3 pages are done .
Your journals are so beautiful and I love the way you talk about journaling because you give ideas and it shows how much you really love it🤍
This is so beautiful. It spoke to my soul. I also journal and this video made me feel so seen and have a deeper appreciation for journaling.
I'm a lifelong journal keeper too. My journal has always been my best friend and soulmate and I have a vast collection of them also. As I'm now more in my middle age, I'm wondering what to do with them. Some ugly things have happened to me that my daughters know nothing about and I wouldn't want them to. I sometimes think I should dump them all now, but that feels too painful to contemplate. My husband once cheated on me and I did burn all those evocative entries once we reconciled. It's a lot of heavy stuff to transport when you move and to store in a simple life environment. I never read back either, unless to confirm dates should someone ask "when did we go to Cabo?" I don't worry about it much - I'll just keep writing I guess and when I know what to do, I'll do it. I love your thoughts and perspective. Freedom is worth fighting for. xo karen
20 years! That’s amazing! I am glad you keep journaling.
Yeaaay! Hi mermaid mommy! How cute!
This is the first video of yours that I'm watching. You have such an infectious spirit about you. Your smile made me smile. I feel so inspired by you! The editing and visuals of this video are beautiful!
thank you Katt ❤️🥺💕 That means so much 🤗
It’s nice to see you at home with your Mom.
Thank you Kim 🥰 It was much needed after so long apart.
That moment with your Mother was quite moving to my anguished Spirit. My Mother recently Died and my how I miss sharing laughter with her and having her by my side 😢
I like to read old journal entries and poems because I feel it's almost like I'm having a conversation with my younger self 💛 and I can see how far I've come or what has stayed the same, hopefully for the better
Another beautiful video from a beautiful soul 🌿 Thank you so much for sharing this Helena, it resonated with me so deeply! Writing has been a great source of healing and joy for me as well so it's lovely to hear your story ✍️
I kind of regret not continuing my journaling practice after burning my decade-long diaries last 2015. I felt like I lost a part of me. But now, I need to get back to my true self again. Thank you for being an inspiration. I love you channel so much. ♥️
I’ve just started a journal at 43 years old. Thanks for the encouragement to get started.
I loved this Helena, everything you say makes so much sense, just loved it! x 😊
I absolutely love this. I love journaling. I never realized as an adult how journaling could really help me and just like you said it is like therapy. I absolutely love your channel. It is so refreshing.
Love it. Your voice is amazing and so is your story telling.
Thank you 🥰
Congratulations. Thanks for giving us one of your secrets about managing with emotions. WRITING... Beautiful words
Thanks for uploading this. I'm recommending it to my daughter, 20, and highly emotional.
Thanks for sharing your passion.❤ I'm one of those people that do not journal. I'm a minimalist so I don't hang on to stuff.
That's wonderful to hear Cathy! There's a lot of weight to carry with holding onto journals - I'm trying to figure out what to do with them all 😂
🇬🇧 I love to journal and also call mine my therapist. I also art journal too, just love any kind of journalling, just wished I started when I was a lot younger but hey never too late x
yep!! i journal.. its therapy. although i don't have all my journals anymore ..
Loved this video so much Helena. I too have been journaling for years. Though not as constantly as you! PS. Another connection - Harriet the Spy was not only filmed in Toronto but on my ACTUAL street!! 💖
There is something so intimate about writing for yourself (it's such a coincidence, I have just published a video about it too, actually :p). I think it reinforces the idea that having a conversation with ourselves matters intrinsically, even if no one else sees it or if we never revisit it. It matters in the moment, and that's enough.
And I love Patti Smith too, both her writing and her music :)
Oh I love this so much Alex! 💕Totally! I think most of our lives are not shared...most of it is private - even if we share our lives with others in person. And writing to ourselves establishes that bond and love within ourselves. It's so intimate. Absolutely beautiful 🥰
And yes ahhhh isn't she amazing?! I took a poetry class in college and began reading her work and fell in love 😍
I always kept journals as a teenager but I suffered from depression and anxiety a lot so they were pretty grim most of the time. About two years ago I was doing a big declutter and I came across my suitcase of journals. Flicking through them I realised that I was hanging onto parts of my life that were not good. Like you I didn’t want to read through them - they were depressing so I decided to release myself from all that energy I was carrying around from the past and burned them all. I felt such a release. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I must say that I did go through them before burning them and removed anything that was sentimental to me or was part of a positive experience that I wanted to keep, anything that still resonated with me. So I still journal but more as a creative outlet and I try to keep negative stuff out of my journals so that revisiting them in the future will be a positive experience. I have a journal where I write about the crap things in my life. This journal is not adorned with pictures, etc and it will be burned when it is full. But if I’m honest, I don’t need to write in that journal too often anymore. Life is pretty darn good. 😊
This is such a great idea!! Love this way of releasing them. I've been contemplating what I'm going to do with all these someday...I love the idea of burning them! I write letters every Full Moon of things I want to let go of internally (and I do EFT tapping anytime negative stories come up to the surface) but I didn't think about the emotional weight of the journals! Great tip! I may keep the journals of the happier years - some of them are so precious! I stopped reading the ones from my teenage years because it just brought my energy down. Btw I ADORE your channel name - Paisley Hummingbird!! So lovely and darling! 😍💕
@@helenawoods thanks. 😁
Beautiful. Thank you! xx
An impressive collection x I re-read some of mine when I was in a 6 year abusive relationship 😢 and I saw how unhappy I was and the terrible times I was having, then I dumped them lol as I didn’t want to be reminded of that past.
I’m so enjoying your videos!.... they bring so much light and joy 🤩 I had a hard week and when I saw your video pop up I light knowing I could count on being inspired!.
ahhh thank you Sarah, that brought a big smile to my face 🤗
And this channel is changing and healing me 🥺❤️🙏🏻
wow, thank you!
“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.”
― Christina Baldwin
beautiful 🤗
@@helenawoods great upload dear, still watching here! :)
Yesssss Helena, I can attest to the healing power of journaling. I still do everyday. Loved this one 💕💕💕
I feel it so deeply 😍 I love writing ❤
Theres nothing more purposeful than reaching a point in my life, turning back to journaling, hearing you say all of these things, sharing a similar experience with the man i want to marry and then end up being someone who grew up in my hometown. This is the biggest confirmation i've gotten in my life. Ive been going through it and i just bought one suede journal for appreciation of love in life, and another composition for traumas and deep emotions. Girl
I love your videos, so beautiful and relaxing to watch! ❤️
thank you lovely!! I'm so glad to hear you enjoy them 🤗
Oh my goodness, i just came across your video. You are adorable, enthralling, enthusiastic, and so inspiring. I agree journaling is in my blood too. ❤
Thanks so much for this insightful video. Have been thinking about starting journalling lately so this is perfect timing 😀
how amazing!!
Hiii! I absolutely love your videos so much! Thank you for inspiring me to journal and to enjoy the everyday simple joys that we observe and interact with. Thank you for helping me to live a much more slower life. I appreciate it very much! Stay safe and God bless!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart and light with me Pahani! 🤗 This means so much to hear, I appreciate it! Sending you a big hug
Awwww, thank you so much! Sending lots of love and hugs back! 🤗💕
What a special, special person you are💕🥰🙏
I haven’t watched yet but I can relate! Have been journaling almost my whole life! SO many journals. I love it, mostly I need it.
Journaling is so needed, right?! 💕🤗So amazing to hear you love it too Cristina 😍
Awwwww amazing sunset😍
I’ve been journaling on and off since I was very young, like 7! But even earlier I’d you count random lists and drawings in a random notebook. I started writing all words when I was going through some major traumatic times in my life. The happy writing came when I got pregnant with my first child. Documenting more than stream of concious ness and a therapy. I have always used journaling as a form of therapy for myself. I never had anyone there for me and my journals always have been, unconditionally.
Glad to see you made it home safe :)
thank you beautiful 🤗
You mentioned Harriet the spy! That’s what made me think other kids love to write as much as me?! I started journaling and writing short stories I would save on floppy discs and USB cards lol
Hii dear
Your videos are so attractive and helpful 🥰
Good luck for future 😇
Love you ❤
So happy to hear you enjoy them! They are fun to make! 🥰
@@helenawoods being new on TH-cam is an exciting thing but at the same time having fear of being failed 🙁
Like in my case
I really needed this today. I used to journal but that was so so so long ago - I keep trying to pick it up again and I keep getting distracted. I wonder if this would be better than my actual therapist...no, I'm really serious with this thought. xoxo
Lovely content and food for thought! Loved the list of values you wrote and how this played out. You use the themes of intention and authenticity in a very positive way.
Wow wow that is lot of journal! Love your way of life !🦋🌸
It's so funny because I loved writing as a child but didn't realize it..lol.if that makes any sense. My mom would come home with the little blue exam booklets from the university where she worked and I would write in them and I loved it. Often times it was stories. Now as an adult I think I fear writing in a journal because my thoughts may be discovered by someone. At the same time, I truely believe how writing out our fears and thoughts can be therapeutic. Funny too, I love to buy journals of all different kinds. I think I will start writing in one fo them. I sort have already done. Sometimes I have challenges in my work and I need to get my feelings out. I think I will continue to do that as I really do believe it will be freeing. Thank you so much for this video ! :-)
Genius! thanks for sharing
Love this! Any ideas on how to keep a journal private?
I recently purchased another journal, want to return to journaling... a couple friends and i were Harriet the spy, keeping our spy books, our spy route, in the 60s.... interesting that you mention this.
I love your channel!! So encouraging and full of goodness. I needed this today!🥰❣️🦋
aw thank you, Margaret!! So happy to spread some joy! 🥰
I have 7 years of diaries written down and I will always so I also decided to store them in a box or suitcase 👍🏻💌
You are amazing dear!
oh thank you for sharing your beautiful light with me Mihaela!
I'm so glad you made this video! I can't wait to dig in to your journal prompts. I loved journaling when I was in middle school. Then off and on as an adult. I would Really Love to make it a continuous habit! ✨ I always immediately read my last entry whenever I sit down to journal. Usually because months have passed and I'm so curious what was on my mind then... it's interesting to see if I have progressed or am still dealing with the same themes. Haha, I love your first journal- "celeb"! In a way, that has come true with TH-cam 😉💖
Inspiring habits Helena..🙂
Hello dear soul! So cool I do i do i do so love writing things down in my notebooks. So profound moving emotion out onto the page yes! I hated writing and reading when I was young, I think because I was so busy doing that sitting still seemed a horrible choice when there was so many other things to do. About ten years ago I started writing things down some out of frustration for things i could not change and some writing on my creative thoughts or the thoughts of others I find particularly interesting. You seem to be doing exactly what you hoped and dreamed and wrote about ten years ago, a creative inspiring beautiful soul. Bridget Nielsen said she is trying to reach out to you for an interview I hope she does, I know you would love a chance to have a one on one conversation with her, I personally would love to see you both together exchanging ideas. I loved this video, thank you Helena for being you! Much love and hugs to you,Alex and your mom. Always a blessing and a joy watching you fulfill your life's purpose.
Omygosh Joe! 😍😍😍 I woke up to an email from her saying someone had recommended to her that we collaborate and I was giddy as a schoolgirl!! It's always been a dream of mine to connect with her online somehow! I discovered her through another podcast 4 years ago and resonated with her and her energy so much. I'm such a big fan of hers, have binged all her videos over the years and would totally LOVE to do a podcast interview with her!! Thank you for recommending me, if you did! I'm so appreciative! Such a big hug to you Joe! 🤗
@@helenawoods Ha ha excellent news! i may have mentioned you to Bridget yes lol. Anything I can do to give back a little joy to one who provides so much for so many. I'm totally thrilled and jealous enjoy my friend. Mwah and hugs right back to you. If Bridget ever starts her retreats again, i would consider it an honor to be a sponsor if your heart so desires. Much love my friend.
You talked to my soul💙
Journaling is so beautiful! Thank you for this loving reminder! I started to write "Morning Pages" as a creativity tool this January when I was stuck with my book writing. I hadn't thought that simply writing something down can truly sort out your life.
How wonderful Christiane!! It's so powerful right?
@@helenawoods, yes, it is very powerful. Love your channel!
You explained and captured the wonder and joy of journaling so beautifully in this video. I feel the same way about journaling! I'm so glad I discovered it at a young age. It helped me to transition into adulthood and to find my own voice and inner compass. Although my journals are only lots of words without any pictures. ;)
By the way, I was flabbergasted to hear you're only 26 years old, lol! I replayed that part like 3 times to check if I heard it right. 😂
Love, Felice
oh Tierra, I resonate with your beautiful words so much - helped you transition into adulthood and find your own inner compass. Could not have said it better myself! It's so true. haha 😂 Thank you kindred spirit! 💕
@@helenawoods 💕 Because I'm planning to comment more on your videos from now on, I may as well introduce myself as Felice, so you may call me that! (I know my channel name is misleading, sorry ;) )
I love this video so much needed thank you sparkle of light 🎀💛🐎
Thank you beautiful Crystle!!
@@helenawoods 💛
Thank you for this!
That’s my fav book Harriett the Spy !
To this day I don’t write about my friends in my journal for fear they find my journal
That is what reading Harriett the spy taught me
PS I still have the book !
❤❤❤❤
💕💕💕💕
🌷
Beautiful soul💞
Lovely, Helena! Would love to grab a cup of coffee one day together and muse on literature, journaling, spirituality and the like 🙏(not straight, no worries 😂) ☕️📚📖
Aw yes! If you see me in your area on Instagram stories, please send me a dm! I love meeting kindred spirits in person 🤗💕
❤️
You are awesome.i hope its not too late for me to start.you are gifted
Not at all Jane! It's not too late 🤗
Omg i have been writing for many years too, and recently I putted them all together in a box and I realized how many pages I wrote!!! 😱😱 I had one question actually; what am I gonna do with them, cause I wouldn't want anyone reading it, and at the same time I would like them to be a record of the years.
Right?! I have the same question myself Nadege. 💕😂 I treasure my journals but no lie - I don't like to own too many possessions and I also don't want anyone reading them in the future. I suggest going through them someday and tearing out the select pages that speak to your heart 🥰I think that's what I'm going to do. When I was younger, I imagined having beautiful built-in bookshelves in my house and having them organized by year LOL. I don't have a desire to do that now but just keep the chapters that are special (when I first met my husband, my first time traveling alone, those monumental life milestones, poems, tucked away letters from friends etc) I hope that helps!
As a Christian Romance Author, I have been writing my whole life, yet with over a trunk full of journals, I am praying God allows me to fill up every single one. I am on Journals 16-20 for Books 16-20.
Hi Helena. Sorry, I missed you on Star Wars Day. But that's ok, it's Revenge of the Fifth! This is the May.
I am checking your old videos