Journalution: Journal Writing to Awaken Your Inner Voice, Heal Your Life, and Manifest Your Dreams: Journal Writing to Heal Your Life and Manifest Your Dreams

by Sandy Grason

Studies confirm what avid journalers have always that writing about difficult experience helps the writer move forward. Many self-help books recommend journaling as a way to express emotions and explore past hurts - as well as to simply get organized, make plans, and set goals - yet few of the books offer advice in how to do it. In Journalution, Sandy Grason combines the writing guidance of Julia Cameron with the emotional nurturing of Shakti Gawain. With chapters including "Completing Your Incompletions," "Masterminding Your Destiny," and "Communicating with a Higher Power," the book balances basic instruction in the art of journaling with intimate entries from the author and her workshop participants. Activities, such as keeping a dream log and timed stream-of-consciousness writing exercises, follow each chapter. Throughout, Grason offers guidelines and prompts, encouraging readers to pick up the pen and journal their way to greater self-awareness.

Genres: Journaling, Writing, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Psychology

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2005

Reviews

[Bakari · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out fairly good, but its focus on “awaken your inner voice”, “healing your life”, “manifesting your dreams” just didn’t seem very interesting to me, or at least where I am in my own life right now. I don’t need to work on healing and I do listen to my inner voice an awful lot by way writing in my journal. As for manifesting my dreams, that is easier said than done because there are a lot of obstacles to my achieving my dreams are beyond my control. That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be setting goals and taking risks, but there are a lot of dreamers out there who are held back by almost insurmountable circumstances — e.g., lack of money, family obligations, lack of support network, and just sheer lack of energy to do more things.

I would like to find a book that’s more intellectually engaging and not so much focused on personal growth per se, but more so about examining life in general. I have been dipping back into Alfred Kazin’s journals, and though much of his content is somewhat personal and vague, he doesn’t spend pages and pages focusing on how to heal himself.

I think journaling can be useful for processing feelings and thoughts, and problems we face in our life, but I think it can become counterproductive to write about problems over and over. Sometimes it can become depressing to write about problems over and over again, especially when you get to a point when you only have a few options left in addressing the problems.

This book may be useful for me in some other times in my life, but I would rather try to find ways to write about topics that I will look forward to rereading several years from now. What I need to work on is making my writing even more engaging and fun to read. Sometimes my writing can be so dead and routine, much like my life. Perhaps I need to start reading really engaging writers who can inspire me to write better.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting back into more journaling lately, did creative writing in August and September is my journaling month. Only missed two days so far, even if they are quick one page before I head to bed, try to put something down at least. In order to expand more in my journaling I thoughts I would read a few books about journaling.

The first I pick up is Journalution by Sandy Grason. What drew me to the book was the second part of the title; Journaling to Awaken Your Inner Voice, Heal Your Life and Manifest Your Dreams. The book is in sections that a new some one new to journaling or someone who has been journaling for years could follow. I would say I am in the middle there are a few times in my life that I have tried to take up journaling, but haven't never been able to stay committed to it. What I felt this book did was let you know what was important to do and you could learn from form journaling, but the simpleness that journaling was also. At least that is what I got out of the book.

It took you through sections on different ways journaling can be used to look at different parts of your life or bring out different emotions or understanding that you needed. In the section there was then writing prompts to try and how others had used the prompts. I didn't try to prompts as I wanted to, but I may use some of them still. I do feel like I have learned about journaling, have a better understanding of it, and am more accepting of how journaling can help me. In the past journaling has just been about the negative and getting it out for me. Now, I see there is positives and you can share the good and the bad to share and you have to accept both parts.

If someone is wanting to explore journaling more and even if they do journal, but need a jump start this is a great book to use.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been stingy with 5 stars lately, but in it's class, it was amazing!!! I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO CREATE THE LIFE THEY IMAGINE. I've been a self-help-book junky for years--this book is different. Go see her webste. Look for her on youtube--the 100 Day Reality Challenge, and cocreatingourreality.com.
I've loved everything I've seen of hers. She's genuine and funny.
Here are a few quotes from her website/book.
"Every person's truth is different. That is why you will not find your truth in a book or a seminar or a Guru. But you can begin to find your truth on the blank page."

"Finding yourself – your passion and purpose – is the reason you are here. It’s not always easy, but it is always extremely rewarding.”

“I firmly believe that each of us comes into this world to contribute something – our unique voice. Part of life is figuring out what that voice stands for, who you are, and what your contribution will be. Your journal will help you do this."

[Mom2triplets04 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give out 5 stars very often but this one was amazing. It motivated me to write things in my journal I probably would not have captured. The journaling prompts were very helpful and her examples were amazing as well. If you want to jump start your journaling and need original prompts this is the book for you. Highly recommend.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read through this book relatively quickly, though that's not entirely because I loved it so much that I couldn't put it down.

I have been journaling since I was a kid and over the past couple of years I've done it more sporadically then I have in the past. I wanted to learn how to become that person who gains enlightenment through their writing and honestly, because the thought of my future children reading through my journals and seeing it was nothing but endless entries of "This is what I did today...." is kind of embarrassing to me. Aren't you supposed to be really thoughtful in your journal? So I started looking for a book that might provide some insight.

I had read through a few reviews and was torn between this and two other journal related books ("Writing Down Your Soul" by Janet Conner & "The New Diary" by Tristine Rainer) They all sounded kind of kooky, so I just picked this one on a whim.

The book is filled with a lot of writing prompts, which I'll admit I haven't actually tried yet. I just wanted to read the dang thing without having to put it down every third page to do an "exercise" Some of them I will definitely give a try the next time I open my journal, and Sandy Grason does a good job of offering many different writing prompts depending on what your goals for journaling might be.

However, there is A LOT of "How to heal yourself" and "Move on from past mistakes" ... "Dealing with Daddy issues and hurt feelings, blah blah blah blah" If that's the kind of thing that you're looking for, then this book might provide some insight for you. I do not have any daddy issues, nor am I harbouring awful thoughts about the kid that teased me back in the third grade, so reading through some of those pages was a little bit grading on my patience and I read through them quickly.

I'm not quite sure what it was that I expected from this book, but I feel like maybe I might have picked the wrong one to purchase of my three nominees. Yes, the writing prompts might be helpful, but I could've easily saved myself the $15 and found those on the internet for free.

Maybe I'm a crotchety cynic at heart but assigning a colour to my emotions and then "..Visualize this colour coursing throughout your body, swirling inside of you. As your pen touches the paper, or your fingers tap the keyboard, feel this colour pouring out of your fingertips. The emotion is draining out of your body and onto the page" .... It's.. Just... Too... Kooky.. For.. Me..

This book would be more helpful if it had some information from studies about the mental health benefits of maintaining a journal, maybe quotes or snippets from the diaries of famous people rather than some random man named Richard, or Mark, or Josh No Last Name who let us read an excerpt from their personal diary.

My personal favourite (note: sarcasm) chapter was Chapter 6 "Hopes, Dreams and Visions" .. It's basically like what I imagine "The Secret" to be all about. (From what I've heard, I can't bring myself to actually buy that book) Sandy Grason blabs on about how she so wanted to meet someone, and low and behold! She did because she put the energy out there. She had such a crush on David Cassidy as a kid, and Low and BEHOLD! David Cassidy shows up to take a tour of her on the market apartment.. I just couldn't take it.

I'll hold onto the book and try some of the writing prompts in it. Who knows, maybe I'll have that light bulb, A-Ha!, gut wrenching, life affirming moment that Sandy Grason so desperately tries to sell to you throughout the book, the next time I sit down to write in my journal... But I doubt it.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, it’s very hard to gain perspective during a difficult time. We see ourselves reacting in an unhealthy way or repeating the same mistakes like some sort of broken machine. Yet, we just can’t seem to figure out why we such things or how to break the cycle.

Journaling helps. It’s very interesting. You can go for years repeating the same cycle and not see it but spend two weeks writing on a single fixated subject and suddenly you find that you can’t deny these issues anymore. Everything is right there in black and white (or blue or whatever).

Still, some people find that they need a little help getting started. That’s what Journalution is for. It takes the fear out of the process and gives some really good questions to begin the exploration. 

[Mercedes Yardley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book with some intriguing journaling exercises. She has some wonderful ideas to get the mind going and kickstart your creativity. I was looking for creative writing ideas, but I found these geared more for people who wanted clarity and peace in their lives. Some of the ideas may be a little woo-woo for certain people, but I found it to be a positive and peaceful book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great book about journaling if your primary goal for journaling is self healing/self help. If however you want to know more about various types of writing and writing exercises this may not be what you are looking for.

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a blast working through this and rediscovering myself through my very first journal. I have highlighted everything I want to revisit and I'm sure I will re-read, if not all, parts of this book again and again as I grow as a journaler.

[R h Mohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me to change the way I see the world.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC BOOK!

[April Lashbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I borrowed it from the library, and I will have to buy it. I can't wait to try some of the exercises.

[Lamsouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to get you started in journaling. Lots of great prompts to use either as an individual or as part of a group.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book to help focus your journaling. There are some great prompts here!

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit that I rolled my eyes at the title but this book is full of great prompts and inspiration to take journaling from a book where you dump your thoughts or details of your day to a tool that will benefit your mental health and put you in touch with your intuition. Not every prompt felt exciting or resonated with me but there's enough gold here that I think most people will find something that will work for them. I appreciated that religious references were left more open than a specific belief system. I'm only a couple days into using this to build a new journaling practice but I already feel more of a benefit than I did with Morning Pages.

[LaReina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first read about journaling, so I was skeptical about what this book could offer me. I am glad I ignored my doubt and bought it. As someone who has wanted to journal but has difficultly keeping one, this book provided some great wisdom, and because of the amazing prompts, I know I will be able to write for hours. Although the book started off strong, I felt that it became too new agey towards the end. For me, the beginning and prompts outweigh the new age volcano that erupted in the last of the book. This might put others off though. If you are serious about journaling and are looking for guidance, I highly recommend this book to get some good ideas and prompts.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the prompts are really good and the first 3/4 of the book are helpful and made me want to write, if not the best writing I’ve ever read.

In the end of the book, the spiritual self-finding just took over and I can’t connect with that.

All in all I took a lot of journaling prompts from it, so it certainly wasn’t a waste of time!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm normally not into the kind of self-help this book offers in the later chapters, however, these were all messages I needed to hear at this time in my life.

I will be keeping this book near my journal to open for prompts in the future; there were a ton of helpful prompts and ideas presented in the book that I look forward to incorporating with my life.

[Micha Goebig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I speed-read this book because I wasn’t interested into the examples of workshop participants. Good intro to journaling and nice prompts.

[Jailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wild. I had goosebumps throughout reading it. Probably the best book I’ve ever read about manifesting.

[Talissia Bates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't get what I expected to out of this book but what I did get was a different perspective. The title was very helpful towards how to market myself and great ammunition to try again.

[Rajeev Chugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to start or improve their journaling practice and discover the benefits of writing for personal growth.

Journalution is not just a book about how to journal, but also a book about how to live a more authentic and fulfilling life. Sandy Grason, the author, is a journaling expert and coach who has helped thousands of people transform their lives through journaling. She shares her own story of how journaling helped her overcome challenges, heal from trauma, and achieve her dreams. She also includes many inspiring examples and exercises from her workshops and clients.

The book is divided into three parts: The Journey Begins, The Journey Continues, and The Journey Never Ends. In each part, there are several chapters that cover different aspects of journaling, such as:

- Completing Your Incompletions: How to use journaling to release the past and move on with your life.
- Masterminding Your Destiny: How to use journaling to create your vision and goals for the future.
- Communicating with a Higher Power: How to use journaling to connect with your intuition and spiritual guidance.
- Celebrating Your Successes: How to use journaling to acknowledge your achievements and gratitude.
- And many more!

Each chapter has a clear and engaging introduction, followed by a series of questions and prompts that guide you to write in your journal. There are also tips and suggestions on how to make your journaling more effective and enjoyable. The book is written in a friendly and conversational tone, as if the author is talking to you personally. She encourages you to be honest, creative, and playful with your journaling.

I found this book to be very helpful and inspiring. It gave me new ideas and perspectives on how to use journaling as a tool for self-discovery and empowerment. It also motivated me to write more regularly and consistently in my journal. I noticed that after reading this book, I felt more confident, positive, and aligned with my purpose.

Happy journaling!

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of pop psychology and New Age personal growth concepts going on. It was hard to stomach some of the ideas that sounded very similar to those in "The Secret." On the other hand, she makes good points about how one's outlook and beliefs can influence the course of one's life. On the whole, she thinks, it's better to have a positive outlook, and regard people in a positive light, and try to have positive interactions with people in the course of the day.

The book was divided into eight chapters, each covering some aspect of life, whether it be intimate relationships, manifesting your dreams, dealing with life's transitions, and healing from past wounds. She does not get into handling trauma at any point, so if you're looking for a therapeutic style of journaling, to heal from past trauma, this isn't it. In fact, I think if you are dealing with severe past traumas, it would be best to steer clear of some of the exercises in this book, because they could bring up intense feelings that a person may not be able to handle on their own. She also doesn't have a background in psychology or social work, so there's no framework presented in the book to help people deal with severe traumas that might come up during the process of digging through their emotions.

That said, it's an easy read, and if you're looking for some light reading and fun exercises focusing on journaling, this is a decent book to read.

I could not find many typos or grammatical errors in my edition. The book has a very nice presentation, with sections clearly divided between the chapter topic, the subheadings, and the exercises, so it's easy to follow. It's very neat and organized, which is not the case with all self-help books. It's good for light summer reading if you're looking to do some creative work with journaling.

[Bucket · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of positive, encouraging words about how to improve your life through journaling, as well as many writing prompts. It's divided into sections - the first two or three are for a beginning journaler and focus on getting started. Thereafter the sections are based around themes - getting to know yourself, cleansing the past, major life transitions, etc...

I found the first quarter of this book too remedial for me, but I really got into it towards the middle and spent some time with it. Chapters 5 and 6 spoke to me the most (Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, and Hopes, Dreams, and Visions). This book is optimistic to a fault - it sometimes makes big life changes sound easy. I'm also not sure that journaling can solve everything, though it is an extremely helpful tool, and has been helpful to me in my life.

Themes: writing, journaling, creativity, therapy, inspiration, self-improvement, identity

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread in 2024.

Read in 2010: Okay, the title and some of her language are exceptionally self-helpish, but don't be turned off by that; there are some excellent prompts in here as well as motivating and specific advice on how to use journaling to find clarity and work through stuff. I'd even recommend it just for the prompts, if you're not in the mood to read the rest of the text.

[Alex]

This is the most useful journaling book and the least fluffy. The healing-your-life language is sort of eh--not my bag, but I can see how it would be useful. The prompts are pretty decent, though, and useful for my own journaling.

[Jenn. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly interesting book about journaling.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas on how to start journaling.