Journaling and Goal Setting During Addiction and Mental Health Recovery

Often, women in our goal journaling program have expressed that they have tried therapeutic journaling techniques in the past, but never stuck with it, adding that they did not know what to write about and journal prompts seemed forced. In our goal journaling program, we introduce the notion that therapeutic journaling techniques are not just a tool for self-expression, they are also a powerful method of vibrant personal growth, transformation, and profound healing.

In our goal journaling group, you will be encouraged to allow yourself some spare time for creative expression where you can aid your conscious and subconscious mind to a more relaxed state, releasing any thoughts or emotions that may be suppressed or neglected. You will be encouraged to share journal prompts to achieve goals. Tips for creating effective therapeutic journaling techniques are discussed within the group include (but are not limited to):

• Journal goals in a calm environment, minimize distractions and anticipate reasons you may need to get up and walk away from your journaling, plan for this (go to the bathroom first, have water/tea/coffee with you, a snack, some music, a blanket or sweatshirt).
• Listen to soothing instrumental/meditation music while you journal your goals (without words is usually best).
• Set a timer for the desired time to spend journaling goals and even schedule it in your planner. Achieving goals is not time-bound.
• Be creative, no need to limit yourself to words, you can also draw/doodle/collage while writing but try to direct your work to reflect your thoughts and feelings at that moment.
• Start with guided journaling prompts as you write and journal your goals.

Our therapeutic journaling techniques program will also help assist in creating a roadmap for you to set and achieve attainable specific goals. Many women come in with “dreams” or even goals that they feel are unattainable and farfetched to reach in life. This journal group helps you to make your dreams into reality by setting clear measurable goals and creating a roadmap for how to get there. The journal group leader will invite you to visualize the outcome of your dreams through guided healing meditations, creating a picture of yourself as if you have already achieved your goals. As you write and journal, picture you have already attained the goals you desire out of life.

Being able to feel the sensations, emotions, success, and fulfillment associated with these accomplishments makes them more real in your mind’s eye and you are more likely to motivate yourself to work towards them through manageable steps as you write. Some tips shared for goal setting include (but are not limited to):

Daily routine to plan your week (Sunday night).

• Set an overarching focus for the week and each day to set a goal achievement in life.
• Writing a prioritized to-do list full of priorities.
• Identify barriers and plan for them to help yourself stay accountable.
• Check-in every morning with your focus, goals, and priorities, and write a to-do list for the day.
• Check-in every night by assessing your progress of how far you’ve come and adjusting accordingly for the following day.

In our therapeutic journaling techniques and goal setting, we will discuss, explore, and practice these setting goals and skills together and for homework. Some therapeutic journaling techniques and journaling prompts will be provided to assist you in either starting or maintaining your current therapeutic journaling techniques and skills to ensure that upon discharge you feel ready to continue working towards your long-term goals and are spending sufficient time reflecting on your thoughts, ideas, and emotions to “check in” with yourself. As you journal, you can keep track and create ideas of how you can improve on your progress and you can find motivation to act on that change.

Villa Kali Ma Can Assist Women With Achieving Goals in San Diego County, California

Journaling goals have many benefits. If you want to achieve smart goals, incorporating journaling is a powerful tool to aid you in the right direction. Science shows to set goals, create possibilities, and achieve big goals and all the things that come with flourishing in life, journaling can help you get there.

If you have a separate journal filled with journal entries, journal prompts, goals, and ideas, consider this creative project. Consider turning your journals into a bullet journal where you can list ways you can achieve your goals. It’s important to be realistic with your strategies and make sense of what you are accomplishing.

If you are looking for inspiration, motivation, or even hope, we can help you during the achieving process and making progress. Your success is found in the details. Allow yourself to be the example you are looking for. Keep track of your progress and goals and don’t be afraid to act on your dreams. Remind your brain of the main aim but be sure to clarify the importance of rest in the process.