2022 is coming to a close, and we're all looking ahead to what the new year could bring. But how do we make sure that the next 12 months are our best yet? This guide will help you find ways to support your health, happiness, and overall well-being.
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. You can also use it as an outlet for getting in touch with your feelings and emotions, which can help you process those feelings more effectively. Journaling helps you become more mindful and organised, because it helps organise your thoughts so that they make sense in writing form (rather than just floating around in your mind).
You'll need to find an approach that works for you, which might include writing down your thoughts and feelings, listing goals or tasks that need to be completed, drawing pictures (or doodling), jotting down quotes from books or movies that inspire you. Try any of these following journalling prompts to get you flowing:
- What are 10 great things that happened or that I accomplished last year?
- If someone asked me to describe myself right now I would say…
- What bad habits do I want to leave in the past?
- What limiting beliefs about myself will I leave behind?
- What can I let go of right now to make space for something better?
- Do I need to forgive anyone, or myself, so I can more forward without that baggage?
- What is already going well in my life?
- Ten things I am most thankful for are…
- What are 5 of my greatest strengths?
- What do I need to stop judging myself and others for?
Shop our collection of A6 and A5 notebooks to start your journalling.
Drawing
Drawing is an easy and versatile way to express yourself. Whether you draw the same thing over and over or use it as a tool for problem-solving, drawing can help you relax, focus, de-stress, be creative and feel more confident. The benefits of drawing are well documented; artists from Leonardo da Vinci to Pablo Picasso have credited their success in art with their ability to draw.
You may not be naturally 'good' at it straight away, but there's no doubt that feeling the pen or pencil glide over a page whilst making abstract shapes or patterns can be incredibly therapeutic and calming for the mind. Stuck with where to get started? Try this list of drawing prompts to help get you inspired:
- Draw an object and give it a face.
- Create an alternate cover to your favorite book or album.
- Take your sketchbook outside and try and draw 3 things from nature.
- Try drawing a still life of your belongings around home.
Writing therapy
As you know, writing is a powerful way to express your thoughts and emotions. Writing therapy is a form of expressive art that can help you process the challenges and experiences in your life in order to gain clarity about what matters most. When you write about something important, it allows you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings from a different perspective.
You can use this outlet for anything that is important to you—not just deep-seated issues like trauma or loss. You might want to write about goals, aspirations or concerns, our practice creative writing - where you write short stories or poems for yourself.
Music therapy
Music therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses music to heal. It can be used to help people with anxiety, depression, stress or other emotional problems. It can also help with physical problems like pain relief and muscle relaxation.
Music therapy can be used with people of all ages including babies in the womb. There are even apps that you can download on your phone that will play calming music for your baby while they sleep!
Although it’s not clear exactly how it works, there have been some studies showing that listening to music boosts the immune system and reduces levels of stress hormones in the body.
Art journal therapy
Art journaling is a process by which you can express yourself through drawing, writing, collage-making, and more. You can do this in a traditional art journal or on the computer using software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Art journaling has many benefits including:
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Calming the mind and reducing stress levels
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Allows you to take control over your creative expression (versus being told what to create)
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Gives you a chance to tap into a creative flow state where you can discover new creative practices and techniques
Through art journaling, you can express your thoughts and feelings about your life. You can also use it as a way of brainstorming new ideas or making sense of them.
If you’re looking for ways to support your best self in 2023, consider trying out some of these therapies. They can be a great way to express yourself and to tap into your creative side, allowing you to discover more of who you are, which is ultimately what we all want when it comes to our mental health!
