I'm not normally one for journalling, I tend to do it for a week or two and then it finds its way into pile of activities I've neglected and left to gather dust in the corner. However, I have been doing a lot of work on reflective practice at work recently (trainee teacher life) and something about this book caught my eye.
I find journalling, or more specifically books about how to journal fit within two categories:
Self-help guides that engulf you in facts and figures, letting you know exactly why your cognitive pathways are malfunctioning and using words 10x bigger than they need to be.
Self explanatory guides that are a paper version of mansplaining a simple process with no real meaning behind it.
The Awesome Human Journal however did not fit either of these and maybe that's why I liked it so much. There are small sections of cognitive science but written in a user friendly way that feels manageable. It gives enough of the WHY mental health self-care is important without making you feeling like you aren't smart enough to take part.
As I read this as a review copy it was digital, but I was able to take the parts that I found helpful and work them into a bullet journal form (yes I have become one of THOSE people... even if I am about 5 years late). It helps manage my thoughts, look at the bigger picture and take a moment for me. My favourite section is where the author asks you to explore your energy fuels and energy drains. Sometimes it is hard to know why your emotional bucket is empty and here was a nice activity to start piecing it all together.
I think the biggest thing to remember with books like this is that YOU are the one who does the work. They can guide and help you but you have to find a way that works for you. The whole book may not be what you need but I would be surprised if there were not at least parts that you resinate with. Parts of this book, like the 5 emotional fitness skills, are now part of my daily routine, and I highly recommend it.
Happy Reading
E x
Thank you to NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for allowing me to read this title.
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