Wellbeing

Family Journal Challenge

Welcome back to another week of the Galilee Wellbeing Toolbox! 

This week, we have a challenge for you -  the Family Journal Challenge! This month-long activity encourages each family member to write or draw something about their day, fostering a habit of self-reflection and enhancing family connections. 

Why Keep a Family Journal?

Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and emotional expression. By engaging in this activity together, families can:

• Enhance and improve Communication: By sharing daily experiences, it encourages open dialogue and helps family members understand each other better.
• Foster Connection: By regularly sharing thoughts and feelings, it can strengthen family bonds and create a sense of unity.
• Promote Emotional Wellbeing: By reflecting on the day’s events, it can help individuals process emotions and experiences, leading to improved mental health.
• Cherished Memories: The journal will become a treasured keepsake that captures the unique journey of your family over the month.

Getting Started:

In the craziness of day-to-day life, it is completely understandable for this activity to end up in the ‘too hard box’, but all it needs is 3-5 minutes daily from each family member and a little bit of routine and time for the sharing aspect of the activity. Studies have shown that family communication is crucial for healthy family functioning, fostering emotional closeness and reducing conflicts. 

1. Choose Your Journal: Select a scrapbook, notebook or any method of record keeping that will serve as your Family Journal. Decorate it together to make it a special family project.
2. Daily Entries: Set aside a few minutes each day for everyone to add their entry. This could be during dinner, before bedtime, or any time that suits your family’s schedule.
3. Encourage Creativity: Entries can be written, drawn, or even include photos and mementos. Encourage each family member to express themselves in their own unique way.
4. Share and Reflect: Take time to read each other’s entries, either daily or at the end of the week. Use this as an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the shared experiences or to tackle anything tricky that may have come up.

We believe that the Family Journal Challenge will be a rewarding experience that brings your family closer together and fosters a deeper understanding of one another. By taking a few minutes each day to reflect and share, you’ll create lasting memories and strengthen the bonds that make your family unique.

We hope this will spark the beginning of a new adventure, journaling with your most precious people.

Julie and Paddy