You dream of a moment when the house is quiet, only the ticking clock and chirping birds join you with your morning coffee or tea. The warmth of the first sip, even on a hot summer day, invites a deep breath, and with the exhale, you welcome in the new day.
You think, “Now might be a good time to open that journal.” But a settling from the floor up above signals a warning that others may wake soon.
There‘s not enough time.
As soon as I start, I will be interrupted.
What‘s the point?
The day erupts with all the typical demands, and the fleeting thought of Stillness dissolves.
If this has happened to you, or you’ve tried to start new habits, maybe you can relate. We want to share with you some tips on how to shift the paradigm of starting something new being hard, and allow the positive change to occur.
Let‘s face it, starting something new, whatever it is, IS HARD. We are wired for routine; the brain LOVES knowing what to expect and feeling in control. (Notice we didn’t say “being” in control 😉
But it’s been proven that making small, positive changes in our lives can actually increase our brain function, releasing all those juicy neurotransmitters like serotonin. So, how about some tips?
1. Trick Yourself.
The key is tricking your brain. Instead of thinking, “I’m going to try this new thing today,” you are going to tell yourself, “I’m not starting something new today, I’m just preparing for it.” Every time you think of it, make one more step towards the actual act of journaling. Maybe it’s getting a nice candle, or your favorite pen, cleaning the space that you tend to relax in, or blocking your calendar for time to be introspective. That tiny shift in thought will let the guard down on the human nature to control and move you one step closer to the goal.
2. No Goal Except the Act of Journaling Itself.
Sometimes we go into a new activity with high hopes that THIS will be the thing that finally solves all the problems. That if you could just stick to this new habit, everything in your life will fall into place. Let that go. Try not to attach any expectation of what journaling will give you. The key is to start. That’s it.
3. Don’t Go It Alone.
Journaling seems like an ‘individual sport’, right? It doesn’t have to be. The act of healing through journaling is sacred, but can also be supported in community. You can join a community of others who are also seeking time for self-discovery and introspection, and cheer each other on. There are small pockets of TSP (The Stillness Project) communities being built as we speak. Look for one locally or online. You don’t have to do it alone.
The Stillness Project was created to be a guided journal for healing. Remember, The Stillness Project can help you reflect and heal, but only if you start to do the work and not let the fear of opening the journal block you before you’ve even started. There is a guiding light inside you that has a powerful voice of its own. Just like lighting the flame ignites the candle, leaning into The Stillness Project ignites the connection to the deepest parts of your soul. Light the candle. Lean into the Stillness.
You’ve got this!
