Our family has been dealing with a great deal of change this year. I began working outside the home for the first time in over a decade. Our oldest daughter became a teenager. Our youngest daughter struggles with my work commitments that steal me away from her for first time since she was born. And though college is still a few years away, my husband is finding the thought of an empty nest less than comforting.

As a writer, I feel it’s easier for me to cope with these changes because it’s natural for me to share my struggles, my fears, and my successes with strangers. I’ve been doing it for over seven years with my blogs. It’s also something I’ve been encouraging my girls to do.

Journaling provides a release for those pent up feelings you might not feel comfortable expressing. As part of therapy, some people who have had traumatic experiences write a letter to those who have hurt them without the intention of sending it. The exercise of putting those feelings down on paper helps in the healing process.

Journaling also keeps you focused when you write down your goals, your hopes, and your dreams. Seeing those goals, hopes or dreams in black and white with the ability to place a check next to each one as you accomplish or obtain them is very empowering. We have a list of things we wish to purchase for our home. We started it right after we moved in 14 years ago. As we’ve been able to purchase these items, we check them off our list. It’s great to see how far we’ve come and how we’ve improved our lives over the years.

This year has been one of changes for us. Has it been the same way for you? Have you ever considered journaling? How do you go about setting goals to reach your dreams?