https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-overcoming-challenges
Everyone faces unexpected challenges and rough patches in life, but what separates those who merely survive from those who emerge stronger? The answer might be simpler than you think.
Journaling—that practice many of us abandoned after childhood—turns out to be one of the most powerful tools for building resilience and transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth. Far more than just recording daily events, strategic journaling creates crucial space between your emotions and reactions, allowing you to respond to life's challenges with greater intention and clarity.
When overwhelming thoughts swirl chaotically in your mind, transferring them to paper allows you to see patterns, examine beliefs objectively, and develop heightened self-awareness. This cognitive distance is the foundation of emotional regulation—one of the core components of resilience. Through consistent writing, you learn to recognize emotional triggers before they overwhelm you and develop more thoughtful responses to stressful situations.
We explore how specific journaling techniques like guided prompts, mindfulness practices, and creative problem-solving exercises can transform your relationship with challenges. From breaking down seemingly impossible obstacles into manageable steps to shifting perspective through gratitude practices, journaling offers practical strategies for navigating life's inevitable curveballs.
The most powerful aspect of journaling may be its ability to document your own growth journey. By creating a tangible record of challenges overcome and insights gained, you build confidence in your ability to handle whatever comes next. Your journal becomes both witness to and catalyst for your evolving resilience.
Ready to transform your relationship with life's challenges? Grab a notebook and discover how this simple practice can unlock your innate capacity for strength, adaptability, and growth. What might you discover about yourself by putting pen to paper today?
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, welcome back everyone to the deep dive.
You know we all hit those roughpatches in life, right?
Absolutely Like you know, youwake up and you're just like you
know.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Or like something really unexpected comes out of
left field and throws everythingfor a loop.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Happens to all of us.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
It really does, and it's like how do we deal with
those moments?
Right?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Well, that's what we're going to explore today how
do we deal with those moments,right?
Well, that's what we're goingto explore today how to not just
survive life's curveballs butreally use those experiences to
become stronger, and I think alot of people don't realize how
powerful something as simple asjournaling can be for that.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Totally.
It seems so basic, right.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
It does.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Like, oh, just grab a notebook and write my feelings,
but it can be so much more thanthat.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
It really can be.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
It's like a whole different way of thinking about
problem solving and becomingmore resilient.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
And we were looking into some different approaches
to this.
And actually, lestallion, youknow them, yeah, yeah, they make
these awesome journals and theyhave one called Journal
Notebook for OvercomingChallenges that really
emphasizes that connectionbetween journaling and building
resilience.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
What's so cool about Lestallion is they don't just
give you blank pages.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
They've really thought about how the actual
features of a journal can helpyou think more deeply and
strategically about yourchallenges.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
So it's almost like the journal itself is a tool for
becoming more resilient.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Okay, so let's get into the nitty gritty here, sure
becoming more resilient.
Yeah, exactly Okay.
So let's get into the nittygritty here, sure.
Like when things are goingsideways, my first instinct
isn't always to be like, oh, I'mgoing to journal about this,
right?
So how does the act ofjournaling, like regularly
writing, actually make us moreresilient?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Okay, well, picture this You're stressed, right,
overwhelmed.
It feels like your thoughts andemotions are just swirling
around in your head like like astorm.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Oh, I've been there, right, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
And your journal.
That becomes your safe space.
It's a place where you can takeall that chaos and actually get
it out of your head and ontopaper Right.
And when you can see thosethoughts, when they're not just
swirling around internally, youcan start to make sense of them,
you can look at them moreobjectively, and that's really
the first step towards gainingcontrol.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Yeah, it's like, instead of just feeling lost in
those emotions, you can actuallystart to untangle them.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Right, exactly.
And what's cool is, as you keepjournaling regularly, you'll
start to notice patterns in howyou react to things.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
So maybe you realize that certain situations always
trigger a specific feeling, orthat you have certain negative
thought patterns that keeppopping up.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I feel like I'm guilty of that.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh, we all are honestly.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
But that self-awareness that's key to
becoming more resilient.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Because then you know what to look out for.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Exactly.
It's like knowing your ownearly warning signs so you can
be better prepared when thosetough emotions start to come up
again.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
So it's almost like recognizing those emotional
currents before they pull youunder.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
That's a great way to put it.
Yeah, and this ties into what'scalled emotional regulation,
which is all about learning tomanage those big feelings.
When you journal about achallenging situation, you're
not just reacting on impulseRight.
You're taking the time toprocess it, either as it's
happening or even afterward.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
So you're creating some space between the trigger
and your response.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Precisely, and that space, even if it's just a few
moments, allows you to be moreintentional and less reactive.
It's like hitting the pausebutton on those knee-jerk
reactions.
It's like hitting the pausebutton on those knee-jerk
reactions.
It's the difference betweenbeing swept away by the emotion
and becoming an observer of theemotion which creates space for
a more thoughtful, lessemotionally driven response.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
And speaking of space , Laskalian makes a point of
highlighting their durable 120GSM paper in their journals, and
it might seem like a smallthing, but I'm curious how does
the quality of the paper affectthis whole process of building
resilience through journaling?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
That's a great question.
It might seem like a detail,but it actually plays a pretty
big role.
Think about it If you're tryingto work through tough emotions
and the paper is flimsy or theink bleeds through.
It's just annoying.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Well for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
It takes you out of the moment.
Yeah distracting, exactlyannoying.
Well for sure it takes you outof the moment.
Yeah, distracting, exactly.
But when you have a journalwith nice thick paper that feels
good to write on, it becomes amore pleasurable experience.
You're not fighting with thetool, you're just letting your
thoughts flow.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
So it's like the journal itself is supporting
that sense of calm and focus,which is so important when
you're dealing with difficultemotions.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Absolutely, and that smooth writing experience also
encourages mindfulness, becauseyou can really focus on the
words you're putting on the page.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
And Lestallion talks about how their journals
encourage mindfulness, which Ithink is so interesting because
when we're stressed or facingchallenges, our minds tend to go
to the past.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Like dwelling on regrets.
Or to the future, like worryingabout what might happen.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
So how does focusing on the present moment through
writing help us in thosesituations?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Well, mindfulness isn't just about meditation, you
know.
It's about intentionallybringing your attention to the
here and now, without judgment,and when you're journaling,
you're literally focusing onyour present thoughts and
feelings as you put them intowords.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
So, even if you're reflecting on past events or
thinking about futurepossibilities, the act of
writing grounds you in thepresent moment.
I can see that and that presentmoment awareness.
It quiets all that mentalchatter, all those worries and
what ifs, which helps you copewith whatever is happening right
now.
It helps you center yourselfand actually be present with
(05:28):
your experience, even when it'sdifficult.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And I think that's a really powerful skill to develop
, especially when life throwsthose curveballs.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Okay, so let's talk about some of those specific
challenges we all face, because,let's be real, we all deal with
stress, we all have moments ofself-doubt, and uncertainty is
just part of life, oh for sure.
So how does journaling actuallyputting pen to paper help us
deal with those kinds of hurdles?
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Think of your journal as a pressure valve for your
emotions.
When stress is building up,write down everything that's
contributing to it.
It might seem simple, butgetting it out of your head and
onto paper can be incrediblycathartic.
It can make those worries feelless overwhelming because you're
not just carrying them aroundinternally.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
It's like you're giving them a physical form, so
you can start to break them down.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Exactly, and by breaking them down you start to
see things more clearly.
You gain a sense of control,because you're not just feeling
overwhelmed by this big,amorphous blob of stress.
It's like you're taking thatblob and separating it into
manageable pieces.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
And I imagine that feeling of control is especially
important when you're dealingwith uncertainty, because
uncertainty can breed a lot ofanxiety.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
It absolutely can.
But when you journal aboutthose uncertainties, you're
facing them head on instead ofavoiding them.
You can ask yourself what am Iactually afraid of?
What are the possible outcomes?
What aspects of this situationcan I actually influence?
And by actively engaging withthose questions, you often find
that the uncertainty starts tofeel less scary.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And what about self-doubt?
Because that can be such asneaky thing that holds us back.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Self-doubt can be so insidious, but journaling can
help you confront those negativevoices.
When you write down thoseself-doubting thoughts, you can
start to examine them moreobjectively.
You can ask yourself is thisreally true?
What evidence do I have tosupport this belief?
Speaker 1 (07:17):
It's almost like you're taking those thoughts to
court.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Exactly.
You're putting them on trialand seeing if they hold up under
scrutiny.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Now, lestallion journals actually include
specific prompts to help withthis process, like what is
holding me back, yeah, and whatsteps can I take to overcome
this obstacle.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, those are great prompts.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
How effective are those kinds of guided questions
in a journal?
Speaker 2 (07:39):
They're super helpful , especially if you're feeling
stuck or you don't know where tostart.
Especially if you're feelingstuck or you don't know where to
start, it's like having alittle coach inside your journal
guiding you towards deeperself-reflection.
The what is holding me backprompt encourages you to think
about those limiting beliefs orfears that might be sabotaging
you without you even realizingit.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Right, and then what steps can I take to overcome
this obstacle that immediatelyshifts your focus away from the
problem and towards findingsolutions?
Speaker 1 (08:07):
It's like a call to action.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Now I noticed that Lestallion journals also have
numbered pages and a built-intable of contents, which I think
is really interesting.
I love that feature.
How do those organizationalelements actually help us when
we're using journaling to dealwith life's challenges?
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, when you're working through difficult things
or even just tracking yourpersonal growth over time,
staying organized is key.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
It's easy to feel overwhelmed.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Exactly, but with numbered pages you can easily
reference specific entries.
So maybe you had a moment ofinsight or you brainstormed a
really helpful strategy.
You can quickly flip back tothat page Right and the table of
contents.
That becomes like a personalmap of your journey through
whatever you're dealing with.
So let's say you're journalingabout a recurring challenge at
(08:54):
work.
With the table of contents youcan quickly find all the entries
related to that issue.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Oh, that's smart.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
You can see how your perspective has evolved over
time.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
What approaches have worked for you and it just makes
the whole process feel so muchmore manageable.
So it's almost like creatingyour own personal archive of
wisdom and strategies fordealing with different
challenges.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
And I love that.
Yeah, it's like you're buildingyour own resilience toolkit.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
That's a great way to put it, and what I'm hearing is
that journaling isn't justabout venting or expressing your
feelings.
It can also be a reallypowerful tool for problem
solving and personal growth.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Absolutely.
Journaling can actually helpyou turn challenges into
opportunities to become a betterversion of yourself.
It encourages you to be moreintentional in your thinking, to
set clear goals and figure outthe steps you need to take to
achieve them.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
So it's like a shift from feeling reactive to feeling
proactive.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Exactly.
It's about taking control ofyour life, even when things feel
out of control.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
And I think that sense of agency is so important
for building resilience.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
It's essential.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
So we've talked about reflection, but let's dive into
the creative, problem-solvingaspect of journaling, because I
think a lot of people don'trealize how powerful it can be
for unlocking new ideas andsolutions.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
It's amazing, right.
It is I mean, how often do youget stuck in a loop replaying
the same worries over and over?
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Oh my gosh, all the time.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Right, but your journal can be a space where you
break free from that.
You can brainstorm on paper,whether you're using mind maps,
bullet points or just freewriting, letting your thoughts
flow without judgment.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
I love mind maps.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
They're so helpful and you might be surprised by
the new ideas and perspectivesthat come up when you give your
thoughts that space to breathe.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
It's like all those mental roadblocks start to
dissolve when you get the ideasout of your head and onto the
page.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I completely agree, and sometimes a more structured
approach can be helpful too,like Lestallion talks about
using a SWOT analysis in yourjournal.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
So you're identifying your strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats, whichcan help you approach a problem
more strategically.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
So it's almost like giving yourself a mini
consulting session.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Right, it's like having your own personal
business coach right there inyour journal, right it's like
having your own personalbusiness coach right there in
your journal.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Now Lestallion emphasizes the soft faux leather
cover and the portability oftheir A5 journals, and I was
thinking about that.
How does that physical aspectof the journal actually tie into
creative problem solving?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Well, inspiration doesn't always strike when
you're sitting at your desk,right.
You never know when it's goingto hit Exactly.
And if you have a journalthat's comfortable to hold and
easy to carry, you can jot downthose ideas whenever they come
to you, whether you're on a walk, on the bus or even in the
middle of the night.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
It's like having a little idea catcher with you all
the time.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
I love that and that.
Portability means you canengage with your challenges and
brainstorm solutions indifferent environments, which
can sometimes lead to freshperspectives.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
And going back to those action oriented prompts
like what is one small step Ican take toward resolving this
issue or what resources areavailable to me?
Yes, how do those help move usfrom thinking to actually doing?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
They're all about taking action.
The one small step prompt isespecially powerful because it
makes any challenge feel lessdaunting.
Instead of feeling overwhelmedby the whole thing, you just
focus on that one small step youcan take right now.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
It's like breaking down a marathon into manageable
miles.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Exactly.
And then the resources promptencourages you to think about
who and what can help you.
Do you have friends or familywho can support you?
So it's about leveraging yoursupport system Precisely.
It's about realizing you don'thave to go through this alone.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
So we've talked a lot about the different features of
a journal and Lestallion reallyemphasizes that.
120 GSM wood-free ivory paper.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
They do yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
And we talked about how that smooth writing
experience helps with focus andmindfulness.
Yeah, are there any otherbenefits to having that kind of
high quality paper when it comesto journaling through
challenges?
Speaker 2 (12:54):
It really comes down to creating a more enjoyable and
less distracting writingexperience.
When the paper is smooth andthick, your pen just glides
across the page.
You don't have to worry aboutink bleeding through or getting
smudged.
It's the little things it is,and it allows you to fully
immerse yourself in the process,to really get into the flow of
(13:14):
your thoughts and feelings.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
And we talked about how the numbered pages and table
of contents help us stayorganized and track our progress
over time.
Yeah, but are there any otherways those features support us
when we're facing obstacles?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Yeah, they can also provide a sense of control and
order, which can be so groundingwhen you're dealing with
something chaotic.
Knowing you can easily findpast entries and revisit those
key insights it just makes thewhole journaling process feel
more manageable, especially whenyou're tackling a really
complex or long-term challenge.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
It's like you're creating a structured space for
your thoughts to evolve.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
That's a great way to put it.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
And we touched on how the A5 size and soft faux
leather cover make theLestallion journals so portable.
Are there any other advantagesto that specific form factor
when it comes to usingjournaling as a consistent tool
during tough times, to thatspecific form?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
factor when it comes to using journaling as a
consistent tool during toughtimes.
The A5 size is perfect becauseit's big enough to give you
plenty of writing space, butit's still small enough to
easily toss in your bag.
It's a good balance, yeah, andthe soft cover makes it flexible
, so it's not bulky or awkwardto carry around.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
It's like an invitation to journal wherever
you are.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Exactly.
You can have it with you athome, at work, on the go, and
that accessibility makes it morelikely that you'll actually use
it when you need it most.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And I was intrigued by the dashed lined pages
because I know Lestallionincluded those based on feedback
from people who use theirjournals.
How are those particularlyhelpful for someone who's
journaling through challenges?
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Dashed lines are great because they offer that
balance between structure andfreedom.
You have those subtle guides tokeep your writing neat, but
they're not as rigid as solidlines, so you can easily
incorporate visuals into yourjournaling, which can be really
helpful for problem solving.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
I could see that.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
You can use them to make mind maps, to break down
big tasks into smaller stepswith checkboxes, or even just to
visually separate differentideas on the page.
It just adds another layer offlexibility to the process.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
And the back pocket for storing little mementos.
That's a really unique featurefor a journal that's designed
for overcoming challenges.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
I love that feature.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
How does that tie into the whole process?
I?
Speaker 2 (15:21):
think it speaks to the importance of acknowledging
your journey and celebratingyour progress, no matter how
small.
Maybe you have a quote thatinspired you during a tough time
, or a ticket stub from an eventthat marked a turning point, or
even just a little note ofencouragement someone gave you.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
I keep things like that too.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah, we all do.
And those little mementos theybecome tangible reminders of how
far you've come, the obstaclesyou've overcome and the strength
you've already shown.
They can be so motivating whenyou're facing new challenges.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
It's like having a little collection of evidence
for your own resilience.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
And finally 211 wood-free ivory-colored pages.
That's a lot of space forreflection and working through
things.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
It is.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Does that sheer volume of pages actually have
any psychological benefits forsomeone who's committed to using
their journal to overcomechallenges?
Speaker 2 (16:13):
You know it might sound strange, but knowing you
have that much space can bereally freeing.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
Interesting.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
It takes away that feeling of limitation.
You don't have to censoryourself or worry about running
out of room.
You can really dive deep intoyour thoughts and feelings,
explore complex issues in detail, and it just gives you this
sense of having a vast canvasfor your inner world to unfold.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
It's like having permission to be as messy and
exploratory as you need to be.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Exactly, and that can be so important when you're
navigating difficult emotions ortrying to figure out a
long-term plan of action.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
You know, this whole conversation reminds me of my
friend, we'll call it Anna.
She was going through a reallytough career transition a while
back and she felt totally lost,super overwhelmed.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I've done there.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
It's the worst.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
It is.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
And she started journaling and she said that
just the act of writing down herfears and anxieties made them
feel so much less scary.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
That's so common.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Yeah, and she was using some prompts she found
online, like what are my corevalues and what kind of work
would truly fulfill me, and itwas like having a conversation
with herself, but on paper, andthrough that process she started
to figure out what was reallyimportant to her and what steps
she could take.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Even if they were baby steps to get there.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
That's a perfect example of how journaling can
create clarity and directionduring times of uncertainty.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Yeah, it's like that act of externalizing those
thoughts and feelings and askingthose deeper questions.
It allowed her to shift fromfeeling completely adrift to
actually charting a new course.
It's so powerful it is.
And I remember my uncle.
He went through a reallydifficult period with some
family stuff and he was rustlingwith a lot of really heavy
emotions and he wasn't someonewho had ever journaled before.
(17:58):
But he started keeping anotebook by his bed and he would
just write down whatever was onhis mind before he went to
sleep.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
That's a great time to journal.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
He said it wasn't even about trying to find
solutions right away, it wasjust about getting those
feelings out of his head.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
And that can be enough sometimes.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Yeah, just about getting those feelings out of
his head, and that can be enoughsometimes.
Yeah, and he later told me that, looking back at those early
entries, he could see how histhinking gradually started to
shift and how, even in the midstof all that heaviness, he
started to find glimmers of hope.
It was like the journal becamethis silent witness to his
emotional journey.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
It's like a safe space to process everything
without judgment.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Exactly, and I think those personal stories they show
how versatile journaling can be.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Oh, for sure.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Anna used it for career clarity.
Your uncle used it foremotional processing.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
It's a tool that can help us navigate all sorts of
life's complexities.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Yes, totally so.
For our listeners who arethinking, ok, I want to try this
journaling thing, what are sometips for making it an effective
practice, especially when itcomes to overcoming challenges?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, the most important thing is consistency.
Try to make journaling aregular habit, even if it's just
for 10 or 15 minutes each day.
Some people like to journalfirst thing in the morning,
others prefer to do it at night.
It really depends on what worksbest for you, and use those
specific prompts we talked aboutearlier, like what is one thing
I can control right now or whatis one tiny action I can take
(19:20):
today.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Because those prompts can really get you unstuck when
you don't know what to writeabout Absolutely and remember.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Journaling isn't just about the problems.
It's also about brainstormingsolutions, exploring different
possibilities and identifyingthose actionable steps you can
take it's about that shift frompassive to active exactly and
don't be afraid to get creative.
Use mind maps, sketches, lists,whatever helps you process your
thoughts and ideas, and everynow and then go back and read
(19:47):
some of your old entries.
It can be really encouraging tosee how far you've come and to
remind yourself of your ownstrength and resilience.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I I love that.
Now, what about those commonroadblocks that prevent people
from starting or sticking withjournaling?
Like what if you sit down withyour journal and you just feel
completely blank?
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Oh, that happens to everyone, don't worry Absolutely
.
And when it does go back tothose prompts, ask yourself
those simple questions what arethree things I'm grateful for
right now?
What is one three things I'mgrateful for right now?
What is one positive outcome Ican envision for this situation?
What's one small action I cantake today?
Even those seemingly smallquestions can unlock a lot of
(20:27):
insights.
And if you find yourselfforgetting to journal regularly,
set a reminder on your phone.
Or try linking your journalingpractice to an existing habit,
like maybe you journal whileyou're drinking your morning
coffee.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
So it's like piggybacking on something you
already do every day.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Exactly, and features like the table of contents in
the Lestallion journals can bereally helpful, because even if
you miss a few days, you caneasily pick up where you left
off.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
That's a good point.
And what about when theemotions you're dealing with are
just so intense that it's hardto even articulate them on the
page?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I get it.
Sometimes those emotions canfeel really overwhelming, and
when that happens, it's OK tostart small.
You don't have to dive straightinto the heart of the pain.
You could start with agratitude list, even if it's
just three things you'regrateful for, or you could
simply describe yoursurroundings, make neutral
observations about your day,anything to just get the pen
moving.
(21:16):
And having a journal withsmooth paper and comfortable
line spacing, like theListallion journals, can make
that process a little bit easiertoo.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
And you've mentioned gratitude a few times, and it
really does seem to be arecurring theme when it comes to
navigating challenges.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
It's essential.
Gratitude journaling is such apowerful practice because it
intentionally shifts your focusaway from what's wrong to what's
right.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Even when things are tough.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Especially when things are tough, and that shift
in perspective it can make ahuge difference in how you cope
with challenges.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
So how can someone effectively incorporate
gratitude into their regularjournaling practice, even when
they're going through a roughtime?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Keep it simple and aim for consistency.
Try writing down three to fivethings you're grateful for each
day and be specific, instead ofjust saying I'm grateful for my
family.
Try I'm grateful for the funnytext my brother sent me today.
That made me laugh and make apoint of rereading those
gratitude entries every now andthen.
It can be a really powerfulreminder of the good things in
(22:16):
your life, even when things arehard.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
So it's like creating a reservoir of positivity that
you can draw from when you needit most.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Exactly, and having a journal like the Lestallion,
with its durable cover andplenty of pages, can really
support that ongoing practice.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Okay.
So, to wrap things up, what'sthe big takeaway here?
That ongoing practice.
Okay, so to wrap things up,what's the big takeaway here?
How does consistentlyjournaling, especially when
we're facing those inevitablebumps in the road, contribute to
greater resilience?
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Journaling helps you build emotional strength in a
few key ways it deepens yourself-awareness, it sharpens your
problem-solving skills and ithelps you manage stress by
giving you a safe outlet foryour thoughts and feelings.
And having a well-designedjournal like the ones from
Lestallion, can make that wholeprocess more enjoyable and
effective.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
So it's like having a supportive friend and a
strategic tool all rolled intoone.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
I love that analogy.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
It's been a really eye-opening conversation.
It's amazing how something assimple as journaling can be so
powerful for personal growth andbuilding resilience.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
It's a practice that everyone can benefit from.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
It really is so for our listeners.
Think about the challengesyou're facing right now.
What might you discover aboutyour own strength and
resourcefulness by committing toputting pen to paper on a
regular basis?
It's an accessible practicewith the potential for profound
personal growth.
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep dive.
All right, welcome back everyone to the deep dive.
You know we all hit those roughpatches in life, right?
Absolutely Like you know, youwake up and you're just like you
know.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Or like something really unexpected comes out of
left field and throws everythingfor a loop.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Happens to all of us.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
It really does, and it's like how do we deal with
those moments?
Right?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Well, that's what we're going to explore today how
do we deal with those moments,right?
Well, that's what we're goingto explore today how to not just
survive life's curveballs butreally use those experiences to
become stronger, and I think alot of people don't realize how
powerful something as simple asjournaling can be for that.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Totally.
It seems so basic, right.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
It does.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Like, oh, just grab a notebook and write my feelings,
but it can be so much more thanthat.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
It really can be.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
It's like a whole different way of thinking about
problem solving and becomingmore resilient.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
And we were looking into some different approaches
to this.
And actually, lestallion, youknow them, yeah, yeah, they make
these awesome journals and theyhave one called Journal
Notebook for OvercomingChallenges that really
emphasizes that connectionbetween journaling and building
resilience.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
What's so cool about Lestallion is they don't just
give you blank pages.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
They've really thought about how the actual
features of a journal can helpyou think more deeply and
strategically about yourchallenges.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
So it's almost like the journal itself is a tool for
becoming more resilient.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Okay, so let's get into the nitty gritty here, sure
becoming more resilient.
Yeah, exactly Okay.
So let's get into the nittygritty here, sure.
Like when things are goingsideways, my first instinct
isn't always to be like, oh, I'mgoing to journal about this,
right?
So how does the act ofjournaling, like regularly
writing, actually make us moreresilient?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Okay, well, picture this You're stressed, right,
overwhelmed.
It feels like your thoughts andemotions are just swirling
around in your head like like astorm.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Oh, I've been there, right, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
And your journal.
That becomes your safe space.
It's a place where you can takeall that chaos and actually get
it out of your head and ontopaper Right.
And when you can see thosethoughts, when they're not just
swirling around internally, youcan start to make sense of them,
you can look at them moreobjectively, and that's really
the first step towards gainingcontrol.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Yeah, it's like, instead of just feeling lost in
those emotions, you can actuallystart to untangle them.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Right, exactly.
And what's cool is, as you keepjournaling regularly, you'll
start to notice patterns in howyou react to things.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
So maybe you realize that certain situations always
trigger a specific feeling, orthat you have certain negative
thought patterns that keeppopping up.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I feel like I'm guilty of that.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh, we all are honestly.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
But that self-awareness that's key to
becoming more resilient.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Because then you know what to look out for.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Exactly.
It's like knowing your ownearly warning signs so you can
be better prepared when thosetough emotions start to come up
again.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
So it's almost like recognizing those emotional
currents before they pull youunder.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
That's a great way to put it.
Yeah, and this ties into what'scalled emotional regulation,
which is all about learning tomanage those big feelings.
When you journal about achallenging situation, you're
not just reacting on impulseRight.
You're taking the time toprocess it, either as it's
happening or even afterward.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
So you're creating some space between the trigger
and your response.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Precisely, and that space, even if it's just a few
moments, allows you to be moreintentional and less reactive.
It's like hitting the pausebutton on those knee-jerk
reactions.
It's like hitting the pausebutton on those knee-jerk
reactions.
It's the difference betweenbeing swept away by the emotion
and becoming an observer of theemotion which creates space for
a more thoughtful, lessemotionally driven response.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
And speaking of space , Laskalian makes a point of
highlighting their durable 120GSM paper in their journals, and
it might seem like a smallthing, but I'm curious how does
the quality of the paper affectthis whole process of building
resilience through journaling?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
That's a great question.
It might seem like a detail,but it actually plays a pretty
big role.
Think about it If you're tryingto work through tough emotions
and the paper is flimsy or theink bleeds through.
It's just annoying.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Well for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
It takes you out of the moment.
Yeah distracting, exactlyannoying.
Well for sure it takes you outof the moment.
Yeah, distracting, exactly.
But when you have a journalwith nice thick paper that feels
good to write on, it becomes amore pleasurable experience.
You're not fighting with thetool, you're just letting your
thoughts flow.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
So it's like the journal itself is supporting
that sense of calm and focus,which is so important when
you're dealing with difficultemotions.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Absolutely, and that smooth writing experience also
encourages mindfulness, becauseyou can really focus on the
words you're putting on the page.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
And Lestallion talks about how their journals
encourage mindfulness, which Ithink is so interesting because
when we're stressed or facingchallenges, our minds tend to go
to the past.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Like dwelling on regrets.
Or to the future, like worryingabout what might happen.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
So how does focusing on the present moment through
writing help us in thosesituations?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Well, mindfulness isn't just about meditation, you
know.
It's about intentionallybringing your attention to the
here and now, without judgment,and when you're journaling,
you're literally focusing onyour present thoughts and
feelings as you put them intowords.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
So, even if you're reflecting on past events or
thinking about futurepossibilities, the act of
writing grounds you in thepresent moment.
I can see that and that presentmoment awareness.
It quiets all that mentalchatter, all those worries and
what ifs, which helps you copewith whatever is happening right
now.
It helps you center yourselfand actually be present with
(05:28):
your experience, even when it'sdifficult.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And I think that's a really powerful skill to develop
, especially when life throwsthose curveballs.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Okay, so let's talk about some of those specific
challenges we all face, because,let's be real, we all deal with
stress, we all have moments ofself-doubt, and uncertainty is
just part of life, oh for sure.
So how does journaling actuallyputting pen to paper help us
deal with those kinds of hurdles?
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Think of your journal as a pressure valve for your
emotions.
When stress is building up,write down everything that's
contributing to it.
It might seem simple, butgetting it out of your head and
onto paper can be incrediblycathartic.
It can make those worries feelless overwhelming because you're
not just carrying them aroundinternally.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
It's like you're giving them a physical form, so
you can start to break them down.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Exactly, and by breaking them down you start to
see things more clearly.
You gain a sense of control,because you're not just feeling
overwhelmed by this big,amorphous blob of stress.
It's like you're taking thatblob and separating it into
manageable pieces.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
And I imagine that feeling of control is especially
important when you're dealingwith uncertainty, because
uncertainty can breed a lot ofanxiety.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
It absolutely can.
But when you journal aboutthose uncertainties, you're
facing them head on instead ofavoiding them.
You can ask yourself what am Iactually afraid of?
What are the possible outcomes?
What aspects of this situationcan I actually influence?
And by actively engaging withthose questions, you often find
that the uncertainty starts tofeel less scary.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And what about self-doubt?
Because that can be such asneaky thing that holds us back.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Self-doubt can be so insidious, but journaling can
help you confront those negativevoices.
When you write down thoseself-doubting thoughts, you can
start to examine them moreobjectively.
You can ask yourself is thisreally true?
What evidence do I have tosupport this belief?
Speaker 1 (07:17):
It's almost like you're taking those thoughts to
court.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Exactly.
You're putting them on trialand seeing if they hold up under
scrutiny.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Now, lestallion journals actually include
specific prompts to help withthis process, like what is
holding me back, yeah, and whatsteps can I take to overcome
this obstacle.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, those are great prompts.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
How effective are those kinds of guided questions
in a journal?
Speaker 2 (07:39):
They're super helpful , especially if you're feeling
stuck or you don't know where tostart.
Especially if you're feelingstuck or you don't know where to
start, it's like having alittle coach inside your journal
guiding you towards deeperself-reflection.
The what is holding me backprompt encourages you to think
about those limiting beliefs orfears that might be sabotaging
you without you even realizingit.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Right, and then what steps can I take to overcome
this obstacle that immediatelyshifts your focus away from the
problem and towards findingsolutions?
Speaker 1 (08:07):
It's like a call to action.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Now I noticed that Lestallion journals also have
numbered pages and a built-intable of contents, which I think
is really interesting.
I love that feature.
How do those organizationalelements actually help us when
we're using journaling to dealwith life's challenges?
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, when you're working through difficult things
or even just tracking yourpersonal growth over time,
staying organized is key.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
It's easy to feel overwhelmed.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Exactly, but with numbered pages you can easily
reference specific entries.
So maybe you had a moment ofinsight or you brainstormed a
really helpful strategy.
You can quickly flip back tothat page Right and the table of
contents.
That becomes like a personalmap of your journey through
whatever you're dealing with.
So let's say you're journalingabout a recurring challenge at
(08:54):
work.
With the table of contents youcan quickly find all the entries
related to that issue.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Oh, that's smart.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
You can see how your perspective has evolved over
time.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
What approaches have worked for you and it just makes
the whole process feel so muchmore manageable.
So it's almost like creatingyour own personal archive of
wisdom and strategies fordealing with different
challenges.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
And I love that.
Yeah, it's like you're buildingyour own resilience toolkit.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
That's a great way to put it, and what I'm hearing is
that journaling isn't justabout venting or expressing your
feelings.
It can also be a reallypowerful tool for problem
solving and personal growth.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Absolutely.
Journaling can actually helpyou turn challenges into
opportunities to become a betterversion of yourself.
It encourages you to be moreintentional in your thinking, to
set clear goals and figure outthe steps you need to take to
achieve them.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
So it's like a shift from feeling reactive to feeling
proactive.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Exactly.
It's about taking control ofyour life, even when things feel
out of control.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
And I think that sense of agency is so important
for building resilience.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
It's essential.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
So we've talked about reflection, but let's dive into
the creative, problem-solvingaspect of journaling, because I
think a lot of people don'trealize how powerful it can be
for unlocking new ideas andsolutions.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
It's amazing, right.
It is I mean, how often do youget stuck in a loop replaying
the same worries over and over?
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Oh my gosh, all the time.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Right, but your journal can be a space where you
break free from that.
You can brainstorm on paper,whether you're using mind maps,
bullet points or just freewriting, letting your thoughts
flow without judgment.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
I love mind maps.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
They're so helpful and you might be surprised by
the new ideas and perspectivesthat come up when you give your
thoughts that space to breathe.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
It's like all those mental roadblocks start to
dissolve when you get the ideasout of your head and onto the
page.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I completely agree, and sometimes a more structured
approach can be helpful too,like Lestallion talks about
using a SWOT analysis in yourjournal.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
So you're identifying your strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats, whichcan help you approach a problem
more strategically.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
So it's almost like giving yourself a mini
consulting session.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Right, it's like having your own personal
business coach right there inyour journal, right it's like
having your own personalbusiness coach right there in
your journal.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Now Lestallion emphasizes the soft faux leather
cover and the portability oftheir A5 journals, and I was
thinking about that.
How does that physical aspectof the journal actually tie into
creative problem solving?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Well, inspiration doesn't always strike when
you're sitting at your desk,right.
You never know when it's goingto hit Exactly.
And if you have a journalthat's comfortable to hold and
easy to carry, you can jot downthose ideas whenever they come
to you, whether you're on a walk, on the bus or even in the
middle of the night.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
It's like having a little idea catcher with you all
the time.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
I love that and that.
Portability means you canengage with your challenges and
brainstorm solutions indifferent environments, which
can sometimes lead to freshperspectives.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
And going back to those action oriented prompts
like what is one small step Ican take toward resolving this
issue or what resources areavailable to me?
Yes, how do those help move usfrom thinking to actually doing?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
They're all about taking action.
The one small step prompt isespecially powerful because it
makes any challenge feel lessdaunting.
Instead of feeling overwhelmedby the whole thing, you just
focus on that one small step youcan take right now.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
It's like breaking down a marathon into manageable
miles.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Exactly.
And then the resources promptencourages you to think about
who and what can help you.
Do you have friends or familywho can support you?
So it's about leveraging yoursupport system Precisely.
It's about realizing you don'thave to go through this alone.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
So we've talked a lot about the different features of
a journal and Lestallion reallyemphasizes that.
120 GSM wood-free ivory paper.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
They do yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
And we talked about how that smooth writing
experience helps with focus andmindfulness.
Yeah, are there any otherbenefits to having that kind of
high quality paper when it comesto journaling through
challenges?
Speaker 2 (12:54):
It really comes down to creating a more enjoyable and
less distracting writingexperience.
When the paper is smooth andthick, your pen just glides
across the page.
You don't have to worry aboutink bleeding through or getting
smudged.
It's the little things it is,and it allows you to fully
immerse yourself in the process,to really get into the flow of
(13:14):
your thoughts and feelings.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
And we talked about how the numbered pages and table
of contents help us stayorganized and track our progress
over time.
Yeah, but are there any otherways those features support us
when we're facing obstacles?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Yeah, they can also provide a sense of control and
order, which can be so groundingwhen you're dealing with
something chaotic.
Knowing you can easily findpast entries and revisit those
key insights it just makes thewhole journaling process feel
more manageable, especially whenyou're tackling a really
complex or long-term challenge.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
It's like you're creating a structured space for
your thoughts to evolve.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
That's a great way to put it.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
And we touched on how the A5 size and soft faux
leather cover make theLestallion journals so portable.
Are there any other advantagesto that specific form factor
when it comes to usingjournaling as a consistent tool
during tough times, to thatspecific form?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
factor when it comes to using journaling as a
consistent tool during toughtimes.
The A5 size is perfect becauseit's big enough to give you
plenty of writing space, butit's still small enough to
easily toss in your bag.
It's a good balance, yeah, andthe soft cover makes it flexible
, so it's not bulky or awkwardto carry around.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
It's like an invitation to journal wherever
you are.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Exactly.
You can have it with you athome, at work, on the go, and
that accessibility makes it morelikely that you'll actually use
it when you need it most.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And I was intrigued by the dashed lined pages
because I know Lestallionincluded those based on feedback
from people who use theirjournals.
How are those particularlyhelpful for someone who's
journaling through challenges?
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Dashed lines are great because they offer that
balance between structure andfreedom.
You have those subtle guides tokeep your writing neat, but
they're not as rigid as solidlines, so you can easily
incorporate visuals into yourjournaling, which can be really
helpful for problem solving.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
I could see that.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
You can use them to make mind maps, to break down
big tasks into smaller stepswith checkboxes, or even just to
visually separate differentideas on the page.
It just adds another layer offlexibility to the process.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
And the back pocket for storing little mementos.
That's a really unique featurefor a journal that's designed
for overcoming challenges.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
I love that feature.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
How does that tie into the whole process?
I?
Speaker 2 (15:21):
think it speaks to the importance of acknowledging
your journey and celebratingyour progress, no matter how
small.
Maybe you have a quote thatinspired you during a tough time
, or a ticket stub from an eventthat marked a turning point, or
even just a little note ofencouragement someone gave you.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
I keep things like that too.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah, we all do.
And those little mementos theybecome tangible reminders of how
far you've come, the obstaclesyou've overcome and the strength
you've already shown.
They can be so motivating whenyou're facing new challenges.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
It's like having a little collection of evidence
for your own resilience.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
And finally 211 wood-free ivory-colored pages.
That's a lot of space forreflection and working through
things.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
It is.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Does that sheer volume of pages actually have
any psychological benefits forsomeone who's committed to using
their journal to overcomechallenges?
Speaker 2 (16:13):
You know it might sound strange, but knowing you
have that much space can bereally freeing.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
Interesting.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
It takes away that feeling of limitation.
You don't have to censoryourself or worry about running
out of room.
You can really dive deep intoyour thoughts and feelings,
explore complex issues in detail, and it just gives you this
sense of having a vast canvasfor your inner world to unfold.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
It's like having permission to be as messy and
exploratory as you need to be.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Exactly, and that can be so important when you're
navigating difficult emotions ortrying to figure out a
long-term plan of action.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
You know, this whole conversation reminds me of my
friend, we'll call it Anna.
She was going through a reallytough career transition a while
back and she felt totally lost,super overwhelmed.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I've done there.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
It's the worst.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
It is.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
And she started journaling and she said that
just the act of writing down herfears and anxieties made them
feel so much less scary.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
That's so common.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Yeah, and she was using some prompts she found
online, like what are my corevalues and what kind of work
would truly fulfill me, and itwas like having a conversation
with herself, but on paper, andthrough that process she started
to figure out what was reallyimportant to her and what steps
she could take.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Even if they were baby steps to get there.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
That's a perfect example of how journaling can
create clarity and directionduring times of uncertainty.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Yeah, it's like that act of externalizing those
thoughts and feelings and askingthose deeper questions.
It allowed her to shift fromfeeling completely adrift to
actually charting a new course.
It's so powerful it is.
And I remember my uncle.
He went through a reallydifficult period with some
family stuff and he was rustlingwith a lot of really heavy
emotions and he wasn't someonewho had ever journaled before.
(17:58):
But he started keeping anotebook by his bed and he would
just write down whatever was onhis mind before he went to
sleep.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
That's a great time to journal.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
He said it wasn't even about trying to find
solutions right away, it wasjust about getting those
feelings out of his head.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
And that can be enough sometimes.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Yeah, just about getting those feelings out of
his head, and that can be enoughsometimes.
Yeah, and he later told me that, looking back at those early
entries, he could see how histhinking gradually started to
shift and how, even in the midstof all that heaviness, he
started to find glimmers of hope.
It was like the journal becamethis silent witness to his
emotional journey.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
It's like a safe space to process everything
without judgment.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Exactly, and I think those personal stories they show
how versatile journaling can be.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Oh, for sure.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Anna used it for career clarity.
Your uncle used it foremotional processing.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
It's a tool that can help us navigate all sorts of
life's complexities.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Yes, totally so.
For our listeners who arethinking, ok, I want to try this
journaling thing, what are sometips for making it an effective
practice, especially when itcomes to overcoming challenges?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, the most important thing is consistency.
Try to make journaling aregular habit, even if it's just
for 10 or 15 minutes each day.
Some people like to journalfirst thing in the morning,
others prefer to do it at night.
It really depends on what worksbest for you, and use those
specific prompts we talked aboutearlier, like what is one thing
I can control right now or whatis one tiny action I can take
(19:20):
today.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Because those prompts can really get you unstuck when
you don't know what to writeabout Absolutely and remember.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Journaling isn't just about the problems.
It's also about brainstormingsolutions, exploring different
possibilities and identifyingthose actionable steps you can
take it's about that shift frompassive to active exactly and
don't be afraid to get creative.
Use mind maps, sketches, lists,whatever helps you process your
thoughts and ideas, and everynow and then go back and read
(19:47):
some of your old entries.
It can be really encouraging tosee how far you've come and to
remind yourself of your ownstrength and resilience.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I I love that.
Now, what about those commonroadblocks that prevent people
from starting or sticking withjournaling?
Like what if you sit down withyour journal and you just feel
completely blank?
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Oh, that happens to everyone, don't worry Absolutely
.
And when it does go back tothose prompts, ask yourself
those simple questions what arethree things I'm grateful for
right now?
What is one three things I'mgrateful for right now?
What is one positive outcome Ican envision for this situation?
What's one small action I cantake today?
Even those seemingly smallquestions can unlock a lot of
(20:27):
insights.
And if you find yourselfforgetting to journal regularly,
set a reminder on your phone.
Or try linking your journalingpractice to an existing habit,
like maybe you journal whileyou're drinking your morning
coffee.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
So it's like piggybacking on something you
already do every day.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Exactly, and features like the table of contents in
the Lestallion journals can bereally helpful, because even if
you miss a few days, you caneasily pick up where you left
off.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
That's a good point.
And what about when theemotions you're dealing with are
just so intense that it's hardto even articulate them on the
page?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I get it.
Sometimes those emotions canfeel really overwhelming, and
when that happens, it's OK tostart small.
You don't have to dive straightinto the heart of the pain.
You could start with agratitude list, even if it's
just three things you'regrateful for, or you could
simply describe yoursurroundings, make neutral
observations about your day,anything to just get the pen
moving.
(21:16):
And having a journal withsmooth paper and comfortable
line spacing, like theListallion journals, can make
that process a little bit easiertoo.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
And you've mentioned gratitude a few times, and it
really does seem to be arecurring theme when it comes to
navigating challenges.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
It's essential.
Gratitude journaling is such apowerful practice because it
intentionally shifts your focusaway from what's wrong to what's
right.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Even when things are tough.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Especially when things are tough, and that shift
in perspective it can make ahuge difference in how you cope
with challenges.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
So how can someone effectively incorporate
gratitude into their regularjournaling practice, even when
they're going through a roughtime?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Keep it simple and aim for consistency.
Try writing down three to fivethings you're grateful for each
day and be specific, instead ofjust saying I'm grateful for my
family.
Try I'm grateful for the funnytext my brother sent me today.
That made me laugh and make apoint of rereading those
gratitude entries every now andthen.
It can be a really powerfulreminder of the good things in
(22:16):
your life, even when things arehard.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
So it's like creating a reservoir of positivity that
you can draw from when you needit most.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Exactly, and having a journal like the Lestallion,
with its durable cover andplenty of pages, can really
support that ongoing practice.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Okay.
So, to wrap things up, what'sthe big takeaway here?
That ongoing practice.
Okay, so to wrap things up,what's the big takeaway here?
How does consistentlyjournaling, especially when
we're facing those inevitablebumps in the road, contribute to
greater resilience?
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Journaling helps you build emotional strength in a
few key ways it deepens yourself-awareness, it sharpens your
problem-solving skills and ithelps you manage stress by
giving you a safe outlet foryour thoughts and feelings.
And having a well-designedjournal like the ones from
Lestallion, can make that wholeprocess more enjoyable and
effective.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
So it's like having a supportive friend and a
strategic tool all rolled intoone.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
I love that analogy.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
It's been a really eye-opening conversation.
It's amazing how something assimple as journaling can be so
powerful for personal growth andbuilding resilience.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
It's a practice that everyone can benefit from.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
It really is so for our listeners.
Think about the challengesyou're facing right now.
What might you discover aboutyour own strength and
resourcefulness by committing toputting pen to paper on a
regular basis?
It's an accessible practicewith the potential for profound
personal growth.
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep dive.
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