Re-Balancing Act- the Art of Conscious Journaling.

At the moment, we are slowly moving towards spring. The days are getting longer, and there is a quiet sense of promise and expectation in the air. Spring is not quite here yet, but you can feel that it is on its way. As we approach this season of growth and renewal, it offers a beautiful opportunity to check in with ourselves, to pause, and to gently rebalance our inner world so we are resourced for the busier times ahead.

There are a few tools I return to again and again to support balance and nervous system regulation. One of my primary practices is a system of conscious journaling I’ve developed over time, rooted in intuitive journaling practices and deep self-connection.

For me, journaling is about connecting with your higher self and receiving guidance for your life. It is a way of meeting yourself on the page- writing down thoughts, feelings, fears, and anything else that may be circling in the mind. By committing these inner experiences to paper, we gently remove them from our heads, interrupting cycles of overthinking, overwhelm, or anxiety. Journaling does not have to be a diary dump; it can be supported by spiritual journaling prompts, mystical journaling prompts, or the use of oracle card journaling to help the words flow.

Journaling with oracle cards is a particularly powerful way to access inner wisdom. Pulling a card and allowing its imagery, symbolism, or message to guide your writing can open intuitive pathways that feel both supportive and contained. This style of journaling for intuition creates space to listen inwardly, rather than forcing answers from the mind.

Journaling is a simple and accessible tool-it doesn’t require any special equipment, yet its effects can be far-reaching. I have been journaling in this intuitive, embodied way for over a year now and have begun teaching others my system, although I’ve been journaling more conventionally since my teenage years. Despite its simplicity, journaling also gives me permission to indulge my love of stationery and finally use the beautiful notebooks I’ve collected over the years “just in case.”

One of the most powerful aspects of journaling is the ability to look back over time and witness your own journey. What once felt all-consuming eight months ago may now barely register. This perspective can be incredibly grounding and reassuring, especially during times of emotional intensity or transition.

Journaling can also be a deeply creative and devotional practice. You might choose to use washi tape, stickers, backgrounds, or decorative edging to reflect your personality or the energy you are working with. Some women feel drawn to goddess journaling, allowing the page to become a sacred space for exploring archetypal feminine wisdom and feminine spiritual practices. The most important thing is that your journaling feels like an authentic expression of you- your thoughts, your feelings, your inner landscape.

When we make journaling personal and embodied, we create access to inner stories and emotions that may have been quietly held or suppressed, ready to be witnessed and released when the time feels right.

From a trauma-informed perspective, journaling can be a gentle way of engaging with shadow work- the work that allows us to process triggers, experiences, and emotional imprints that might otherwise contribute to anxiety or overwhelm. Journaling does not replace counselling or therapeutic support, but it can be a powerful complementary practice that helps us stay connected to ourselves. It allows for regular, safe release of tension and stress, preventing it from accumulating and being stored in the body.

It’s also important to remember that journaling doesn’t have to involve writing at all. The intention is simply to bring inner experiences onto paper. Some people prefer drawing or doodling, others use bullet points, mind maps, or free-flow diagrams. There is no right or wrong way, only what feels right in the moment.

Using prompts to stimulate reflection can be especially helpful when seeking balance. You might choose seasonal prompts aligned with the energies of the month, prompts focused on inner child healing, or questions exploring relationships, friendships, and how you respond to stress. Journaling can also support us through experiences of trauma or grief, offering a place to simply be with what is present, without pressure to fix, resolve, or move on.

If you’d like to dive deeper into journaling, I have started the online/ in person journaling sessions again, monthly on a Wednesday evening.

Wishing you a (re)balanced month,

Sally Heart