<p>“I dare you to
read more than a chapter or two of <i>The Great Book of Journaling</i> without
feeling compelled to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard! This book is a
beautiful quilt, each chapter written by one of the wisest voices in the
journaling world, on every aspect of journal writing imaginable. That such
journaling intelligence is accessible between two covers of one book is a gift
to any existing or would-be journal keeper.”</p><p>—<b>Ruth </b><b>Folit</b>, founder and past director of the International
Association for Journal Writing</p><p> </p><p>“I
coach and accredit professional
coaches and mentors, so I know what it takes for us to succeed personally and professionally.
One of those success factors is having positive daily mental health and well-being
practices. That’s why I’m a fan of <i>The Great Book of Journaling</i>. It’s a wonderful self-care resource
for practicing what we preach to
our clients, one that will help us and them live the lives we both desire.”</p><p>—<b>Dawn
Campbell</b>, business director, international authority for professional coaching and
mentoring</p><p> </p><p>“This is a GREAT BOOK for those
who already journal and for those who are ready to journal! Every chapter is
filled with ideas and examples that will spark your creative self into action! Buy
a copy for yourself, and lots more for gifts!”</p><p>—<b>Joyce Chapman</b>, author of <i>Journaling for Joy</i></p><p> </p><p>“As one of the 40 contributors to this book, I am
excited by the collection's diverse approaches to journaling, all of them with
something to teach me. This easy-to-engage-with collection offers strategies
for journaling that will revive interest for long-time journal keepers and
encourage new journal keepers to establish their journaling practice. Every
chapter includes writing strategies that foster discovery as well as
encouraging one to continue journaling for healing, for wisdom, and for
capturing all of life moments.”</p><p>—<b>Sheila Bender</b>, founder of Writing It Real</p><p> </p><p>“<i>The Great Book of Journaling</i> is indeed
great! The richness of the many journaling perspectives, benefits, and suggested
journaling activities included makes this book a true gem. I highly recommend
this book for new and avid journal writers alike who crave both inspiration and
information to start, sustain, or deepen an existing journaling practice. This
book will surely inspire you to pick up your pen and tap into your inner wisdom
and well-being through journaling.”</p><p>—<b>Rebecca
Kochenderfer</b>, Journaling.com</p><p> </p><p>“Journaling saved my life while battling a life-threatening
illness. Never in the history of the world has there been a greater
need for the in-depth introspection and self-healing that journal-keeping
offers. <i>The Great Book of Journaling</i> is a stellar introduction
to the joys and benefits of journaling by leaders in the field. Inspiration and
guidance shine from every page.”</p><p>—<b>Lucia Capacchione</b>, art therapist, author, and originator of the
Creative Journal Method</p><p> </p><p>“What you'll find in <i>The Great Book of Journaling</i> is more than just a collection of
ideas about journaling. Each of these chapters is meant to invite you deeper
into a practice of listening to yourself, tuning into your intuition, and
harnessing your natural powers to heal and create the life that you were meant
to live. Ready for a fresh experience of the practice your therapist and every
self-help book has been telling you to do? This book will touch your heart and
help you connect with your inner creative self in a practice that can last the
rest of your life!”</p><p>—<b>Jacob Nordby</b>, author of <i>The Creative Cure–How Finding and
Freeing Your Inner Artist Can Heal Your Life</i></p><p> </p><p>“Who wouldn't want a life of wellness,
creativity, meaning, and purpose? As a psychotherapist who believes that my
craft can be helpful in this respect, I must also acknowledge that journaling
can also help get you there. You still have to put in the work, and you will
want to learn from the best. I highly recommend <i>The Great Book of Journaling</i>. It is full of practical wisdom, and it is a lot less expensive
than therapy."</p><p>—<b>Jed Diamond, PhD</b>, psychotherapist, author of <i>The
Irritable Male Syndrome: Understanding and Managing the 4 Key Causes of
Depression and Aggression</i></p><p> </p><p>“<i>The
Great Book of Journaling</i>,
which contains an eclectic variety of creative and meaningful ways to journal,
serves as a valuable and practical guide to anyone interested in journaling.
For those who already journal, the book invites the reader to explore new
techniques and unlocks the key to the gifts of journaling.”</p><p>
</p><p>—<b>Merle
R. Saferstein</b>, author of <i>Living and Leaving My Legacy</i></p>
“When Lynda [Monk] talks about her own journaling practice, a spirit of flexibility infuses her approach.”—Rebecca Kochenderfer, Journaling.com
#1 Best Seller in Writing Skills Writing Guides
The Great Book of Journaling provides calming tools for quelling worry and anxiety from psychotherapist Eric Maisel. As well as expert writing tips from Lynda Monk, Director of the International Association for Journal Writing.
Journal Writing for High Self-Esteem. This is the next-generation book on journaling techniques that introduces a younger generation to the immense benefits of journaling and provides all journal writers with the tools they need to grow, heal, and deepen their personal writing experience.
Utilize Therapeutic Writing. Journal writing can promote individual healing, creativity, and community-building. The Great Book of Journaling offers multiple perspectives on journaling techniques in an easy-to-use, practical format, along with providing a comprehensive introduction to various techniques and methods for deepening your personal writing.
Learn from the Best. We’ve rounded up 40 of the top journal experts in the world to explain exactly what journal writing can do for you! The Great Book of Journaling is full of practical tips, evidence-based research, and rich anecdotes from their coaching, teaching, therapy work with journal writers, or their personal journal writing.
The Great Book of Journaling can help:
- Create high self-esteem, self-love, and self-confidence
- Improve your health and your sense of wellbeing
- Calm your worry and anxiety
- Serve your creative needs
- Deepen your personal writing
Readers of books on journal writing such as Mindfulness Journal, The Self-Discovery Journal, or No Worries will love The Great Book of Journaling.
Editor’s Introduction—Eric Maisel
Editor’s Introduction—Lynda Monk
1. Juicy Journaling (SARK)
2. Journaling Basics (Mari L. McCarthy)
3. Journaling Simplicity (Kathleen Adams)
4. Journaling Resistance (Liz Crocker)
5. The Reflective Journal (Lynda Monk)
6. The Creative Journal (Lucia Capacchione)
7. The Storytelling Journal (Judy Reeves)
8. The Healing Journal (Jacob Nordby)
9. The Legacy Journal (Merle R. Saferstein)
10. The Elemental Journal (Midori Evans)
11. The Digital Journal (Hannah Braime)
12. The Planning Journal (Jennifer Britton)
13. The Altered Journal (Chris Leischner)
14. The Becoming Unstuck Journal (A M Carley)
15. The Forest Journal (Mary Ann Burrows)
16. The Audio Journal (Dwight McNair)
17. The Conflict Resolution Journal (Linda Dobson)
18. The Compassionate Journal (Ahava Shira)
19. Contemplative Journaling (Kimberly Wulfert)
20. Journaling as an Instrument of Mindfulness (Beth Jacobs)
21. Journaling Your Transitions (Leia Francisca)
22. The Writing Body (Emelie Hill Dittmer)
23. Inner Critic Journaling (Emma-Louise Elsey)
24. From Journal to Memoir (Eric Maisel)
25. Keeping the Fragmentary Journal (Sheila Bender)
26. Journaling in the Third Person (Lara Zielen)
27. Journaling in Community (Mary Ann Moore)
28. Journaling in a Group: A Facilitator’s Perspective (Nancy Johnston)
29. Journaling with Children (Nicolle Nattrass)
30. Journaling as Intergenerational Storytelling (Shehna Javeed)
31. Journaling and Creative
32. Journaling and Design Inspiration (Meryl Cook)
33. Journaling to Connect to Nature’s Wisdom (Jackee Holder)
34. Journaling and Traveling (April Bosshard)
35. Journaling to Find Love (Kim Ades)
36. Journaling and the Lost Words (Marisé Barreiro)
37. Journaling and Personal Growth (Sandra Marinella)
38. Journaling for Dream Fulfillment (Joyce Chapman)
39. Journaling and the Pursuit of Happiness (Susan Borkin)
40. Journaling for Your Future Self (Elena Greco)
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
About the Editors
The editors have rounded up the top journal experts in the world. Each has a real following and stands ready to market and promote. Each will contribute a chapter full of practical tips, evidence-based research and/or rich anecdotes from their personal journaling life and from their coaching, teaching or therapy work with journal writers. Lynda and Eric guide contributors so that every chapter gives readers exactly what they need!
Lynda Monk, one of the coeditors, publishes a weekly Journaling Museletter that gets shared with approximately 6,000 subscribers. She has a journaling specific Facebook group that has strong engagement with over 400 members and growing daily, as well as over 7000 followers on Twitter and over 3500 connections on LinkedIn, and I regularly am a guest speaker on podcasts, radio shows and online summits. I frequently offer writing for wellness workshops to groups and organizations, where I have regular audiences to promote our book.
Writing in your journal is simultaneously simple and profound. There is nothing complicated about putting pen to paper, but when you make it a regular habit, it becomes a powerful force for good in your life.
In your journal, you uncover your innermost thoughts, feelings, desires, and fears. You release stress, spark creativity, and overcome challenges. You gain insights that lead to growth, adventure, and change. You heal old wounds and cultivate healthier relationships with yourself and others. It’s one of the most affordable and effective ways you can care for yourself.
Journaling is truly transformative; it is shown to improve physical, mental, and emotional health and help you achieve your goals. But even if you understand all the benefits, you might still struggle with building a journaling practice.
Do any of these obstacles sound familiar?
- I can’t seem to find the time to write
- I used to journal but stopped when life got busy
- I don’t know what to write about
- I have too much I want to write about
- I like the idea of journaling but not the actual practice
- I feel bored/restless/anxious/overwhelmed when I write
- I forget to journal (and then feel bad about it)
If you recognize yourself in one or more of these statements, you are in good company! These are common challenges that afflict even the most dedicated journal writers.