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The Mind-Changing Habit of Journaling: A Guided Journal for Self-Exploration, Self-Care, and Re-Discovering Your Self-Worth
With a FREE Downloadable Journal Inside!
Understand where your negative self-image, bad habits, and unhealthy thoughts come from. Know yourself to change yourself.
Embrace the life-changing transformation potential of journaling. Through the context of journaling, Zoe McKey takes a closer look at the false beliefs and unconscious behaviors that once left her feeling unworthy, misunderstood and overwhelmed. She then presents the practical strategies that helped her move past them. She provides a gentle push to become the joyful, smart, and good person you were meant to be. You might you don’t know how and what to write in a journal; you don’t have enough time; you fear for your privacy; you don’t believe that writing your thoughts will do anything. The Mind-Changing Habit of Journaling will challenge these beliefs and help you adopt a safe, sustainable, time-friendly, guided journaling method. You will learn and • The root cause of your current problems and how to fix them. • How to practice gratitude as a daily ritual and have a more optimistic outlook on life. • How to love others the way they want to be loved and how to request the same. • How to find your true values and stop living for other people’s expectations. No taboos and no ‘get change quick and easy’ promises; just the painful honesty of personal awakening through journaling.
Stop the arguments with yourself and others.
• Learn to stop blaming others, loathing yourself, and acting with responsibility and self-respect instead. • Learn about the key signs of emotional immaturity, how to overcome them and become the best version of yourself. • Learn to harness the lessons of your painful experiences and use them as an empowerment tool to build character and strength. This book shows you how to use the ultimate self-healing tool of journaling to find your own answers to your most pressing problems, discover your true self and lead a life of growth mindset. Also, benefit from the many scientifically proven benefits of • Reduce mental anxiety, physical pain, and stress. • Heal emotional wounds from past traumas. • Practice self-compassion, self-love, and self-understanding. • Overcome your limiting beliefs and fears. • Reconnect with your true self and solve your inner conflicts. Do you go through a painful breakup? Did you lose your job? Did you just have an earth-shattering realization about yourself and you don’t know what to do with it? Use the transformative power of expressive writing in this book to heal from painful and stressful life events.
Enhance your mental well-being and self-care; learn how to put yourself first in a non-selfish way to live a life of joy, compassion, love, and growth.
Understand where your negative self-image, bad habits, and unhealthy thoughts come from. Know yourself to change yourself.
Embrace the life-changing transformation potential of journaling. Through the context of journaling, Zoe McKey takes a closer look at the false beliefs and unconscious behaviors that once left her feeling unworthy, misunderstood and overwhelmed. She then presents the practical strategies that helped her move past them. She provides a gentle push to become the joyful, smart, and good person you were meant to be. You might you don’t know how and what to write in a journal; you don’t have enough time; you fear for your privacy; you don’t believe that writing your thoughts will do anything. The Mind-Changing Habit of Journaling will challenge these beliefs and help you adopt a safe, sustainable, time-friendly, guided journaling method. You will learn and • The root cause of your current problems and how to fix them. • How to practice gratitude as a daily ritual and have a more optimistic outlook on life. • How to love others the way they want to be loved and how to request the same. • How to find your true values and stop living for other people’s expectations. No taboos and no ‘get change quick and easy’ promises; just the painful honesty of personal awakening through journaling.
Stop the arguments with yourself and others.
• Learn to stop blaming others, loathing yourself, and acting with responsibility and self-respect instead. • Learn about the key signs of emotional immaturity, how to overcome them and become the best version of yourself. • Learn to harness the lessons of your painful experiences and use them as an empowerment tool to build character and strength. This book shows you how to use the ultimate self-healing tool of journaling to find your own answers to your most pressing problems, discover your true self and lead a life of growth mindset. Also, benefit from the many scientifically proven benefits of • Reduce mental anxiety, physical pain, and stress. • Heal emotional wounds from past traumas. • Practice self-compassion, self-love, and self-understanding. • Overcome your limiting beliefs and fears. • Reconnect with your true self and solve your inner conflicts. Do you go through a painful breakup? Did you lose your job? Did you just have an earth-shattering realization about yourself and you don’t know what to do with it? Use the transformative power of expressive writing in this book to heal from painful and stressful life events.
Enhance your mental well-being and self-care; learn how to put yourself first in a non-selfish way to live a life of joy, compassion, love, and growth.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2019
306 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 20, 2020
I am reviewing it from the perspective of a therapist - and one who, of course, has her own deep flaws and has spent the last decade working towards self-awareness, insight, and behavior change.
There are a lot of valid criticisms of this book in other reviews. The title is a bit misleading as to the true focus of the book and it doesn’t feel super polished (though this is one time I actually see that as a bit of a strength).
Here is what this book won’t tell you: how to pick the best journal or journaling format for you; what time of day to journal; how often to journal; how to build a journaling habit; etc etc. The mechanics of journaling - not really a priority of this book.
And that’s just fine; there are plenty of books that do focus on those things. But Zoe brings us something entirely unexpected and helpful - vulnerability and a peak inside the process of changing, over time and with dedicated effort, from an emotionally-dysregulated, highly defensive, deeply unhappy, and self-centered person (these are things Zoe wrote about herself; I’m not being a jerk) to someone willing to take a good look around and inside, feel the pain of self-awareness, and slowly do the work to break down old defenses and change behaviors towards herself and others. Let me tell you - that is hard to do, and it’s even harder to open up about.
It’s also hard to verbalize the process, to map the trail so that others can follow that long, windy, unintuitive path - and this is what Zoe really brings to the table.
Zoe says that she was skeptical when her therapist suggested journaling (as a therapist, let me tell you - everyone is skeptical when journaling is suggested.) And then - and this is where I was like ‘oh yeah, this book has something to offer’ - Zoe made her first entry. Here’s what she says about that:
“I opened it. Here is my first entry: ”I hate this. It makes me feel uncomfortable and awkward. I procrastinated all day just to avoid doing this. Why? Because I have a natural disdain for discomfort. I get annoyed if something uncomfortable gets on my thought radar.” Whoa! What just happened? I never thought about myself like that! An inner voice whispered to me, ”Go on.”
Legit, I’m going to use this example as a way to get clients’ buy-in for at least TRYING this process. I’ve taken 4 CEU hours of courses about using journaling as an adjunct to therapy, and this $4 kindle book addresses the topic with more humor, clarity, insight, and vulnerability than those classes - which cost much more than $4, mind you.
So here is what Zoe does offer: 4 chapters detailing her own experience of going through the process of developing emotional maturity, with each chapter capped neatly with “Here are the questions and strategies to use in your journal to help yourself through this stage.”
That’s it. It’s simple. It’s easy to read. It’s not intimidating in the same way that getting advice on emotional maturity from someone with a lot of letters after their name who takes on the ‘expert’ role. Zoe doesn’t take on the expert role, despite writing a self-development book. She takes on the role of a peer who has gone through this process herself and is willing to show you the battle scars.
Yes, she references a lot of other self-help books (a criticism made by another reviewer). Good! Just because she didn’t come up with every bit of this process by herself doesn’t make it less valid. I’ve read those books too, and I certainly use the valuable bits in the therapy room. Please beware any self-help author (or therapist) who claims to have figured it out all by their lonesome. And yes - by all means - go to the sources she mentioned and read them. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve recommended the book Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents that sparked her awareness of how her childhood experiences led to her becoming (to use the previous descriptor) an emotionally-dysregulated, highly defensive, deeply unhappy, and self-centered person. You SHOULD read more than one self-development book on this journey; every human who has gone through this process has a unique insight to offer, and it’s great that Zoe has consolidated and shared the bits that resonated with her and that she points you to the source material so that you can dive deeper if needed.
I’ve read a lot of self-development books. Some - that I’ve gotten significant gain from - I would never recommend to clients. Some are dense, dry, and you’re only going to get through it if you’re deeply invested in the topic already (I’m looking at you Mindful Compassion: How the Science of Compassion Can Help You Understand Your Emotions, Live in the Present, and Connect Deeply with Others ). This book IS going on my list of books to recommend widely. Zoe is approachable, encouraging, vulnerable, quite funny at times, and she has a lot to offer to anyone who sits down with this book, an open mind, and an open journal.
There are a lot of valid criticisms of this book in other reviews. The title is a bit misleading as to the true focus of the book and it doesn’t feel super polished (though this is one time I actually see that as a bit of a strength).
Here is what this book won’t tell you: how to pick the best journal or journaling format for you; what time of day to journal; how often to journal; how to build a journaling habit; etc etc. The mechanics of journaling - not really a priority of this book.
And that’s just fine; there are plenty of books that do focus on those things. But Zoe brings us something entirely unexpected and helpful - vulnerability and a peak inside the process of changing, over time and with dedicated effort, from an emotionally-dysregulated, highly defensive, deeply unhappy, and self-centered person (these are things Zoe wrote about herself; I’m not being a jerk) to someone willing to take a good look around and inside, feel the pain of self-awareness, and slowly do the work to break down old defenses and change behaviors towards herself and others. Let me tell you - that is hard to do, and it’s even harder to open up about.
It’s also hard to verbalize the process, to map the trail so that others can follow that long, windy, unintuitive path - and this is what Zoe really brings to the table.
Zoe says that she was skeptical when her therapist suggested journaling (as a therapist, let me tell you - everyone is skeptical when journaling is suggested.) And then - and this is where I was like ‘oh yeah, this book has something to offer’ - Zoe made her first entry. Here’s what she says about that:
“I opened it. Here is my first entry: ”I hate this. It makes me feel uncomfortable and awkward. I procrastinated all day just to avoid doing this. Why? Because I have a natural disdain for discomfort. I get annoyed if something uncomfortable gets on my thought radar.” Whoa! What just happened? I never thought about myself like that! An inner voice whispered to me, ”Go on.”
Legit, I’m going to use this example as a way to get clients’ buy-in for at least TRYING this process. I’ve taken 4 CEU hours of courses about using journaling as an adjunct to therapy, and this $4 kindle book addresses the topic with more humor, clarity, insight, and vulnerability than those classes - which cost much more than $4, mind you.
So here is what Zoe does offer: 4 chapters detailing her own experience of going through the process of developing emotional maturity, with each chapter capped neatly with “Here are the questions and strategies to use in your journal to help yourself through this stage.”
That’s it. It’s simple. It’s easy to read. It’s not intimidating in the same way that getting advice on emotional maturity from someone with a lot of letters after their name who takes on the ‘expert’ role. Zoe doesn’t take on the expert role, despite writing a self-development book. She takes on the role of a peer who has gone through this process herself and is willing to show you the battle scars.
Yes, she references a lot of other self-help books (a criticism made by another reviewer). Good! Just because she didn’t come up with every bit of this process by herself doesn’t make it less valid. I’ve read those books too, and I certainly use the valuable bits in the therapy room. Please beware any self-help author (or therapist) who claims to have figured it out all by their lonesome. And yes - by all means - go to the sources she mentioned and read them. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve recommended the book Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents that sparked her awareness of how her childhood experiences led to her becoming (to use the previous descriptor) an emotionally-dysregulated, highly defensive, deeply unhappy, and self-centered person. You SHOULD read more than one self-development book on this journey; every human who has gone through this process has a unique insight to offer, and it’s great that Zoe has consolidated and shared the bits that resonated with her and that she points you to the source material so that you can dive deeper if needed.
I’ve read a lot of self-development books. Some - that I’ve gotten significant gain from - I would never recommend to clients. Some are dense, dry, and you’re only going to get through it if you’re deeply invested in the topic already (I’m looking at you Mindful Compassion: How the Science of Compassion Can Help You Understand Your Emotions, Live in the Present, and Connect Deeply with Others ). This book IS going on my list of books to recommend widely. Zoe is approachable, encouraging, vulnerable, quite funny at times, and she has a lot to offer to anyone who sits down with this book, an open mind, and an open journal.
September 21, 2021
Short, but great helpful exercises. I love the direction of this book, it's not about the visual aspect of journaling, but more the healing process of writing down your thoughts and feelings. The exercises helped me put some things to rest. I just wish there was more, or some ideas to repeat some exercises with additions for happenings over time. So recommended, but be prepared it's quite the quick read!
May 5, 2019
Could have used better editing
The questions and journaling ideas in this book were good, and I appreciated the quotes from other books (which made me want to go and read those). It felt like this book hadn’t been edited at all; maybe it was self-published? This “book” read more like a blog post or article.
The questions and journaling ideas in this book were good, and I appreciated the quotes from other books (which made me want to go and read those). It felt like this book hadn’t been edited at all; maybe it was self-published? This “book” read more like a blog post or article.
January 2, 2020
Not exactly what I expected
This book was a good quick read. I hoped for it to be more journal focused. It was definitely more about healing emotional scars. I did pick out a few helpful nuggets. There are also a lot of helpful book suggestions.
I just wished it was mainly about the process of journaling as the title suggested.
This book was a good quick read. I hoped for it to be more journal focused. It was definitely more about healing emotional scars. I did pick out a few helpful nuggets. There are also a lot of helpful book suggestions.
I just wished it was mainly about the process of journaling as the title suggested.
October 18, 2020
Amazing Book.
This book was an efficient and graceful tool towards the positive changes in my life. Thank You so much, Zoe.
This book was an efficient and graceful tool towards the positive changes in my life. Thank You so much, Zoe.
September 3, 2019
A quick, light concept with clear, instant applicability
This is a very simple book, but it's executed well. The steps are clearly defined, and the benefits are clearly explained. The tone is casual, but it seems like the author is torn between two styles: the resource-citing / science of application approach (like Charles Duhigg, an author she cites) or the candid, occasionally TMI approach of Mark Manson. Most of her resources are just other books, it seems, which is a risky prospect; after the third citing of The Power of Habit, one can't help but wonder if one should just go straight to the source. However, her personal anecdotes are effective and welcoming for the reader, and it seems like that approach should be emphasized more. She drops a few nonchalant swears but then apologizes for saying "effing", so there is a little stylistic dissonance. All that said, it seems like an effective tool to use with immediate applicability. Definitely worth a read!
This is a very simple book, but it's executed well. The steps are clearly defined, and the benefits are clearly explained. The tone is casual, but it seems like the author is torn between two styles: the resource-citing / science of application approach (like Charles Duhigg, an author she cites) or the candid, occasionally TMI approach of Mark Manson. Most of her resources are just other books, it seems, which is a risky prospect; after the third citing of The Power of Habit, one can't help but wonder if one should just go straight to the source. However, her personal anecdotes are effective and welcoming for the reader, and it seems like that approach should be emphasized more. She drops a few nonchalant swears but then apologizes for saying "effing", so there is a little stylistic dissonance. All that said, it seems like an effective tool to use with immediate applicability. Definitely worth a read!
January 5, 2026
While this book wasn't what I had thought it would be, it was a valuable book for me. A few sentences made a great impact (I paraphrase): Lessons learned from a-ha moments will quickly fade away if not written down. Writing things down will verify your ability to change.
For those on a self-discovery journey, this book will give you some insights and helpful hints as how to approach your journaling adventure. I did the audible version of this book so was able to multi-task (I was decluttering). This was a good way to tackle this book.
For those on a self-discovery journey, this book will give you some insights and helpful hints as how to approach your journaling adventure. I did the audible version of this book so was able to multi-task (I was decluttering). This was a good way to tackle this book.
July 12, 2020
I expected a book about journal writing and this isn't it. It is instead an earnest sort-of memoir by a young woman confronting self destructive behaviors. As another reviewer has pointed out, it could use some editing, but I appreciate the author's sincerity and desire to help others.
July 18, 2020
Not really what I was after or expecting. If you are looking for a journaling framework because you do not know how to start, or what to do, in order to journal meaningfully this is not it.
April 20, 2023
The mind-changing habit of journaling
A good balance between theory and application. Thought provoking and gives you time to truly reflect on important areas of your life
A good balance between theory and application. Thought provoking and gives you time to truly reflect on important areas of your life
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews