Journaling can have many benefits. It can reduce stress and improve mood. It can also help you process your deepest thoughts and emotions. Perhaps the best part about journaling is that anyone can do it; you don’t need to be a writer or follow any rules. But there are many different methods, and it can be tricky to pick the right one you’ll stick with. That’s why we consulted the Enneagram to figure out what kind of journaling practice will resonate the most. BBecause each type has a different healing journey and personality some journaling practices may work better than others.
Find the journaling practice recommendation for your Enneagram type below, keeping in mind that it’s exactly that—a recommendation. Journaling is a highly individual activity and should not be something that you add to your to-do list. It’s always a good idea to experiment and see what you like while using the Enneagram as a jumping-off point to inspire your growth.
Stream of Consciousness
Idealists love order, structure, and order. Stream of consciousness journaling, however, is none of that—which is exactly what Ones need to break out of their perfectionist mold. Popularized in Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s WayYou want to let your pen flow on the page and not stop until the page limit or time you have set. It is important to not edit yourself. If your inner critic gets in the way, you might even try scripting an open dialogue with them—there may be an anger blockage to explore from holding yourself to high standards. Even if it seems like you have nothing to offer, remember that you can say anything because there are no wrongs or rights. Eventually, you’ll get into the habit of breaking through any “stuckness” and better understand why you feel a certain way.
Dream Journaling
Compassionate Twos are aware of a lot beneath the surface. Twos can lose touch with their own feelings and desires because they spend more energy on others. Dream journaling allows them to tap into their subconscious and pay more attention to their needs. Write down everything you remember about the dream as soon as you wake up. If you have trouble remembering your dreams, it’s OK to only write down one tiny detail. Once you have enough input you can start to draw patterns between the recurring themes or symbols. Many times, Twos have an underlying sense of shame to explore around being needy or they’re afraid to express their full selves for fear of rejection. Pay attention to any symbols that could indicate this and take the knowledge you get about yourself.
Journaling in Manifestation
Ambitious Threes are focused on the prize. They’re no stranger to goal-setting or doing whatever it takes to make their dreams come true. However, manifestation journaling is different from traditional goal journaling. It allows Threes to align their goals with their authentic selves. Threes often look outside of themselves in order to define success, or seek out quick solutions to achieve their goals. Manifestation journaling, a slow-burn process, helps you set goals that align with your true purpose. There are many ways to manifest journaling, but visualization is the best. You create a scenario, as if it had already happened, and pay attention to how it ends. feels. You can also create intentions that align with your intention to embody this version you so that you attract the opportunities that ignite your soul.
Mood journaling
Sensitive fours are very involved with their emotions. They can feel overwhelmed by emotions. It’s important for Fours to feel grounded and let their emotions move through them, which is why mood journaling can be extremely beneficial. Begin by identifying the emotion and the contributing factors. Next, determine what actions you can take to deal with it. Keep in mind that you don’t need to “fix” or solve anything; sometimes, the best plan of action is to explore what you’re feeling and let it pass through you naturally. With mood journaling, there’s a ton of room to express your artistic side: make lists, free-write, draw pictures, or create a collage if it speaks to you. Eventually, you’ll be able to draw patterns between your moods and better identify your triggers so you then have a coping toolkit in your back pocket.
Bullet Journaling
Brainy Fives are drawn to organized systems and structures. Bullet journaling is the perfect example of this. Fives are natural minimalists and bullet journaling is clear and concise. You can record details from your day and any interesting things that you see, or create lists of books you want. While there’s no right or wrong way to bullet journal, Fives may be more inclined to use their journal for practical or logical reasons. However, try using it to explore your emotional side too, which can help you process all those whirling thoughts in your head—jot down feelings and physical sensations from your day. You can also track what energized and what drained your energy so that you can create healthy patterns and boundaries that will allow you to grow.
Worst-Case Scenario Journaling
Calculated Sixes can think of worst-case scenarios and are not afraid to use them. They’ll go through all the “what ifs” in their minds in order to prepare for everything that could happen. This is a direct result of fear. It can cause them to be unsure about their decisions or make impulsive choices. Journaling can be a great way to help Sixes face their fears and embrace their path to growth: courage. When you’re feeling anxious or fearful, write out all the worst things that could happen on your page. Although it may seem counterproductive or silly at first, it can help you to take a step back from your fears and see that they may be rational. For the second part of this exercise, assess how likely this scenario is to happen and also how you’d react and handle the situation if it were to come true. This will help you feel confident that you can handle any challenge.
Gratitude Journaling
The Upbeat Sevens have a huge appetite for life. They love to jump from activity to activity and look forward to what the future holds. At the same time, this can cause them to miss out on all the goodness happening in the present, and it’s hard for them to be still with any challenging emotions they may experience. Sevens can slow down and reflect by using gratitude journaling. This can be as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for before bed or creating positive affirmations that give you a boost of energy. Developing this habit doesn’t take much time out of your day and can help you see all the beauty that exists right in front of you while helping you become more in tune with yourself.
Unsent Letter
Confident Eights love to challenge systems and rules. They don’t shy away from confrontation and tend to maintain an image of control. Though they’re big softies on the inside, they have a very hard time letting it go when they’ve been hurt. Eights will find it cathartic to write an unsent letter to let out their anger. Pick someone to write a letter to who may have betrayed your trust or someone you didn’t get closure with. Whether it’s an ex, old friend, or toxic boss, this can help get everything off your chest.
Although venting frustrations may be easy for you, you can also focus on the lessons this person has taught you and how you have grown from it. You can forgive and let go, or take responsibility for the hurt you have caused to someone else, by sending this person love. If you don’t know who to write to, you can write a letter to a previous version of yourself. This can be a powerful way to heal past wounds.
Art Journaling
Peacemaker Nines are often lost in the clouds. Although they love to dream, they find it difficult to act on their dreams because they focus on making other people happy. Journaling can help them regain control of their lives and reconnect with their true self. You can create collages and doodles, vision boards, and other creative projects using art journaling. Nines are naturally creative, but even if you’re not an artist, this can be a fun way to express yourself. Nines love harmony and can unintentionally combine with others to find harmony. Art journaling can help to see your life in its entirety and empower you to move closer towards the things that you want. If you don’t know where to get started, try working with an affirmation or theme that guides your direction. For someone as fluid and open as you, you’ll have a ton of fun dreaming up all kinds of possibilities.
Based on Your Enneagram
Source: The Every Girl