Coaching and Journaling

Journaling and Coaching

I am a big fan of coaching processes. Having coached myself with the wonderful Anna Reynolds (follow her Substack), I can say without much doubt that I know awe. I have experienced change within. I have experienced myself learning. I have moved or even expanded. I am more perceptive, and I can see myself thinking. I am more open to change and exploration. I am more willing than I ever was before. I am constantly making an observational pause. Why do I think the way I think? She would suggest, “chunk bigger”.

I picked up journaling while in my coaching, and it has become a real tool for self growth. I write about daily life. I unwind. I unload the load. Sometimes a line for a poem will pop up on the page and sometimes, I face hard truths. If you are a hard core morning pages person (Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way), you have probably accomplished a lot by this free-flow, daily, stream-of-consciousness-writing (it works! btw).

But if you are like me, your journaling is based on intuition, necessity, or whim, and if your cat is conveniently napping on top of your journal, you have a perfect excuse to avoid sitting with your feelings, let alone, write them down.

Messy journaling is ok. It's a discipline without the harassment of disciplinarian commandments: Do it daily! Do it in the morning! Three pages at least! Your cat has a point.

Messy journaling is more a refuge than a commandment. It's a form of continuance of learning processes. A way of sharing with yourself through Language (with big L), the pins and needles of existence, which is profoundly messy. Journaling and existence share this messy trait.

Inspired by how powerful both coaching and journaling have proven to be in my own life experience, I have recently started my own practice as a coach. I like to think of myself as a companion for creative processes. It can be a lonely journey!

I discovered my vocation by teaching workshops and sharing creative spaces, but truly, deeply, in awe of this discovery, I realized I was meant for it and it for me, in journaling. Writing things like:

• I can tell that my classroom has become a safe space for exchange. For change!

• I am able to detect what each of us need at the time. Why each one of us is this specific situation, facing each other.

• I see processes forming. I see how they can be nourished.

Just like creativity, journaling is a practice. There is a vision that appears only when you practice and the vision is commanding.

Journal and find out what that vision is for you.

As for me, my vision is: I am ready to coach you in your own creative process, If you will have me.

luisareyesretana.taller@gmail.com (EN/SP).