The Great Book of Journaling: How Journal Writing Can Support a Life of Wellness, Creativity, Meaning and Purpose (Therapeutic Writing, Personal Writing)

by Eric Maisel PhD (Editor), Lynda Monk MSW, RSW, CPCC (Editor)

Overview

Journaling Techniques for Growing, Healing, and Creativity 

“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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781642508543
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	06/14/2022
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	529,357
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Eric Maisel, PhD, is widely regarded as America’s foremost creativity coach and has written extensively on the challenges of the creative life. His books specifically for writers include Deep Writing, Write Mind, Living the Writer’s Life, A Writer’s Space, A Writer’s Paris, and A Writer’s San Francisco.

Maisel is the author of 50+ books, among them The Power of Daily Practice, Lighting the Way, Coaching the Artist Within, Mastering Creative Anxiety, Why Smart People Hurt, and The Van Gogh Blues.

Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC is the director of the International Association for Journal Writing. Lynda is co-editor of Transformational Journaling for Coaches, Therapists and Clients: A Complete Guide to the Benefits of Personal Writing. She is the co-author of Writing Alone Together: Journaling in a Circle of Women for Creativity, Compassion and Connection and created Life Source Writing: A 5 Step Reflective Journaling Method. As a registered social worker and wellness coach, Lynda regularly speaks and teaches on the healing power of writing.

Read an Excerpt

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.

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

I dare you to read more than a chapter or two of The Great Book of Journaling 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.”

—Ruth Folit, founder and past director of the International Association for Journal Writing

 

“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 The Great Book of Journaling. 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.”

—Dawn Campbell, business director, international authority for professional coaching and mentoring

 

“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!”

—Joyce Chapman, author of Journaling for Joy

 

“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.”

—Sheila Bender, founder of Writing It Real

 

“The Great Book of Journaling 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.”

—Rebecca Kochenderfer, Journaling.com

 

“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. The Great Book of Journaling is a stellar introduction to the joys and benefits of journaling by leaders in the field. Inspiration and guidance shine from every page.”

—Lucia Capacchione, art therapist, author, and originator of the Creative Journal Method

 

“What you'll find in The Great Book of Journaling 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!”

—Jacob Nordby, author of The Creative Cure–How Finding and Freeing Your Inner Artist Can Heal Your Life

 

“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 The Great Book of Journaling. It is full of practical wisdom, and it is a lot less expensive than therapy."

—Jed Diamond, PhD, psychotherapist, author of The Irritable Male Syndrome: Understanding and Managing the 4 Key Causes of Depression and Aggression

 

“The Great Book of Journaling, 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.”

—Merle R. Saferstein, author of Living and Leaving My Legacy

From the Publisher