Who is the Author of YOUR Life?
As a Youth Resilience and Mentor Coach, I'm always researching ways to improve the lives of my clients. And I must stress…ways that are easy to implement and fun instead of another homework item.
Recently, I read about the HAPPE Method of journaling for adults which sort of a condensed version from the reader's digest and thought this would be awesome to teach teens and young adults. The basis is being the hero in your own life and to write about the life you want to have.
Benefits of Journaling
Journaling can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. It can help individuals to process their thoughts and feelings, set goals, and track their progress. Here are some ways in which journaling can help you live your best life:
Improved mental health: Journaling can help to reduce stress and anxiety by providing a space to express and process difficult emotions. It can also help to improve mood and overall well-being.
Increased self-awareness: Writing about your thoughts and feelings can help you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and your goals.
Better problem-solving skills: Journaling can help you to identify patterns and challenges in your life, and brainstorm solutions and strategies for addressing them.
Enhanced creativity: Journaling can be a creative outlet that allows you to express yourself and explore new ideas.
Greater focus and productivity: By setting goals and tracking your progress in a journal, you can stay focused and motivated towards achieving your goals. By incorporating journaling into your daily routine, you can improve your mental health, increase self-awareness, and work towards living your best life.
The HAPPE Method of Journaling
HAPPE is a method of journaling that stands for "Highlight, Analyze, Plan, Practice, and Evaluate." It is a structured approach to journaling that can help individuals to process their thoughts and feelings, set goals, and track their progress. Here is an overview of the HAPPE method:
The first of the 5 rules to create your HAPPE life is “H” for handwriting. Studies have shown that writing something down on paper sticks in your brain and is retained better than typing it on a laptop because it connects a motor skill to a thought.
The second rule is “A” for as if. As if everything you desire is happening right now. For example, think about the kind of friends you want to have and act “as if” those are your friends right now. Visualizing being together doing specific activities is a great exercise to write in your journal. Did you know when you visualize something in your mind or actually do something physically the brain doesn't know the difference? It's true and visualization techniques are practiced by the U.S. Olympic team to perfect their sport.
Next, the first “P” stands for writing in the third person. We want to get that good cognitive distance. Instead of saying, “I will ask new people to join me for lunch three times this week,” try saying, “Suzy will ask three people to join me for lunch this week.” Giving yourself distance from “I” can trick your brain into staying motivated if you instead write in the third person.
The next “P” is for positive. You want to keep your writing positive such as “Suzy stays healthy by exercising and eating right” instead of “I don't want to exercise, and I'll never get healthy because I eat too much junk food.”
Lastly is “E” for emotions. Once you take time to write in your journal, close it and dive deeper to embody the emotions of what you have just written. Close your eyes and feel the power of your story as if it is happening right now.
It is most powerful to write a story about positive self talk, loving yourself and feeling good about yourself. Therefore, when negative thoughts or feeling creep into you, you are able to reframe with “that's not my story, that's not what I want to experience.” This can be a tool for self-awareness, improving mental and physical health, enhancing one's problem solving skills and a tool for change.
Start Writing Today!
Journaling can help unleashes your imagination to write about your ideal day and to create the life you want to live with you as the “hero” in your own life. Remember to include the details…what are you seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting? Most importantly, what are you feeling at that moment?
There is no wrong way to do this, however, you need to write continuously. Being consistent is the key to creating the hero in your every day. How exciting to wake up each day and look forward to journal writing and living a life filled with new adventures and limitless possibilities! Begin writing today and remember you are the “Author of your own life!”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-journaling-can-help-you-live-your-best-life-11618318961
If you are struggling to cope with stress and life uncertainties, creating a gratitude journal is a great help. It may also be helpful to speak with a mental health professional or life coach to gain insight on how to manage stress and to provide you with support and guidance.
