Introduction to Journaling

About This Course

If you've ever wanted to try journaling, this course will provide answers to your every question. You’ll discover the different types of journaling (including dream journaling), and sample a buffet of journaling techniques, exercises, tools, and resources.

We’ll cover everything you need to know about journaling, including a seven-step process that will ease you into writing a journal, even if you've never journaled before. You'll get detailed instructions on developing, decorating, and customizing your journal, and you'll learn exciting new ways to express yourself and develop your creativity.

You'll find out how you can use your journal to explore your thoughts, feelings, and values, and you'll learn how to use your journal to support you as you develop true emotional well-being. You'll also understand how journaling can ease the stress of unwanted change throughout the course of your life. You'll even discover how journaling can help you choose the best career for you or advance in your current career.

About The Instructor

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Cheryl Simpson.

Cheryl Simpson, L.P.C., is a Career Coach and Ohio-licensed Career Counselor with more than 30 years’ journaling experience. Cheryl is the author of more than 30 articles for both print and Internet media. She also has led journaling workshops and retreats on college campuses, at conferences, in schools, and for religious organizations, and has developed more than 100 journaling exercises and prompts.

Syllabus

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

Week 1

Wednesday - Lesson 01

Have you ever wondered how a journal differs from a diary? Are you curious about the benefits of journaling? Are you aware of the ways journaling can improve your physical health? In this lesson, I'll help you explore these important topics and share with you a selection from one of the most famous journals of all time.

Friday - Lesson 02

If you're like many journalers, you enjoy learning about different tools and resources you can use to strengthen your journaling practice. In this lesson, I'll guide you through taking a closer look at the different kinds of journaling, journals, writing utensils, paper, online journals, and software programs that can enrich your writing. By the time you're finished with this lesson, you'll know much more about journaling tools, aids, and resources than you ever thought possible!

Week 2

Wednesday - Lesson 03

Now that you've learned the basics, it's time to get started journaling! Today I'll share a seven-step journaling process with you to help ease you into writing, even if you've never journaled before. I'll also introduce you to two kinds of writing prompts to jumpstart your journaling. Then we'll talk about how you can protect your journal's safety and your confidentiality as you write.

Friday - Lesson 04

In the previous lesson, I introduced you to two fundamental types of journaling exercises. In this lesson, I'll teach you four more. By adding such tools as list making, writing prompts, dialogues, and unsent letters to your journaling toolbox, you'll not only enrich your journaling, but keep yourself motivated to write for years to come!

Week 3

Wednesday - Lesson 05

Have you ever wondered how to make a journal from scratch? If so, you're in luck because that's exactly what you'll learn in this lesson. And if that's not something that interests you, fear not because you'll also discover other playful ways to customize your journal, such as decorating your journal's cover and myriad ways to incorporate art and scrapbooking techniques into your journal's pages.

Friday - Lesson 06

One of the most important reasons most people journal is to discover themselves. Are you ready to discover who you are? Then join me in taking a closer look at the purpose of thoughts and feelings. In this lesson, I'll help you discover your thoughts, feelings, and values, and demonstrate how to explore all three in the safe space of your journal.

Week 4

Wednesday - Lesson 07

In our previous lesson, you learned about the difference between emotions and feelings and why both are so vital. Today, I'll build on that foundation by delving into emotional intelligence, which is your capacity to work effectively with your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. I'll teach you how your journal can support you in learning the critical skills necessary for true emotional well-being.

Friday - Lesson 08

Are you a creative person? If you're breathing (and I presume you are!), then you most certainly are creative. Today, I'll share with you a liberating definition of creativity, and guide you on a tour of the three-step creative process—conception, incubation, and birth. You'll enjoy collecting new ways to express yourself and your creativity in the pages of your journal.

Week 5

Wednesday - Lesson 09

A lot of people begin journaling after some significant life change that upsets the applecart of their existence. Has that ever happened to you? In this lesson, I'll help you explore the Cycle of Change and rediscover your life's true story in the process. You'll also discover how your journal can aid you in weathering the chaotic and unexpected winds of change. Then we'll talk about how journaling can ease the stress of unwanted change throughout the course of your life.

Friday - Lesson 10

Are you as curious about and fascinated by dreams as I am? If so, you'll really enjoy this lesson. After teaching you the major types of dreams and dream themes, I'll delve into the power of symbols. Then I'll share a dream journaling process with you that you can implement as frequently as you like. And, if you have trouble remembering your dreams, I'll even show you how to turn that pattern around!

Week 6

Wednesday - Lesson 11

Of all the types of journaling I'll share with you in this course, this is the one you probably know the least about—and need the most! I'll begin this lesson by showing you the career-development process so you can see for yourself how journaling can help you do everything from choose a career or college major, write a resume, prepare for job interviews, or even advance your career to the next stage.

Friday - Lesson 12

So far in this course, you've gained a wealth of knowledge about journaling, discovered more journaling prompts than you can count, and begun to journal regularly. Now it's time to learn how to evaluate your journaling to see if it's helping you in the ways you hoped. I'll teach you how and when to examine your journaling habit and suggest ways you can keep your journaling habit fresh as the years go by.

Requirements

Internet access, e-mail, and and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.