Journaling for professional & personal growth
The practice of journaling as a transformative tool for both professional and personal growth is one we can easily find time for – even just seven minutes a day can be beneficial. Enhancing self-awareness, and cultivating the clarity needed to navigate the complexities of being an acupuncturist in the world and running an acupuncture practice – these are useful practical benefits.
The research evidence for the benefits of journaling is mounting, as interest surrounding this practice continues to grow. As we move toward the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake in the lunar calendar, journaling can align us with the energetic qualities of this promising year.
Benefits of journaling
Numerous studies have demonstrated the myriad benefits of journaling. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology indicates that expressive writing significantly reduces stress and anxiety while improving emotional wellbeing. This aligns beautifully with our own therapeutic practice as acupuncturists.
Research published in Psychological Science found that journaling fosters better cognitive processing and enhances problem-solving skills. For us as acupuncture practitioners, engaging in a regular journal practice can improve the crucial skills of clinical reasoning and decision-making, ultimately benefiting our clients.
A study by Dr James Pennebaker demonstrated that those who write about their thoughts and feelings experience heightened emotional intelligence. This self-awareness can translate into a deeper understanding of our clients’ needs – thus we may develop into being more empathetic and effective practitioners.
Journaling has long been used as a tool of reflection for practitioners to assess their treatment outcomes and improve patient care. By documenting client interactions, treatment responses, and personal insights, we can identify patterns and make informed adjustments to our approach – both clinically and from a business perspective.
Energetics of the Year of the Wood Snake
As we approach the Year of the Wood Snake, it is wise for us to consider how the characteristics of wood and snake energy can enhance our journaling practice.
Wood represents growth, creativity, and flexibility. It embodies the potential for new beginnings and the nurturing necessary for our personal and professional development. The wood element encourages us both personally and professionally to embrace change and innovation. In the context of journaling, this means viewing our writing as a living practice, one that can evolve throughout the year.
The snake – associated with wisdom, intuition, and transformation – complements the wood energy beautifully. This year calls for introspection and understanding – and journaling gives us an ideal avenue to explore our inner world and draw upon the wisdom that arises.
Leveraging journaling for growth
To fully harness the power of journaling during the Year of the Wood Snake, consider implementing the following strategies:
- Set clear intentions: begin each journaling session with a specific intention. This could relate to personal growth, professional development, or a specific challenge you wish to explore.
- Create a consistent routine: dedicate time daily or weekly for journaling. Consistency fosters habit, enabling deeper reflections over time.
- Engage in reflective writing: ask yourself thought-provoking questions that encourage exploration of your experiences, feelings, and aspirations.
- Experiment with creative expression: use your journal to sketch ideas, draft business and life plans, or incorporate mind maps. This aligns with the creative energy of wood.
- Review and reflect: periodically revisit past entries to track your growth, identify patterns, and recognise shifts in your perspective.
- Integrate other practices to your journaling routine: consider incorporating your other practices before journaling – such as meditation, qigong, breathwork – to centre yourself and enhance clarity.
To help you get started, here are seven journal prompts:
- Insight and reflection: What has been the most significant learning from your acupuncture practice this past year? How can you apply this insight to enhance your approach moving forward?
- Energy assessment: Consider the emotions that arise before and after treating clients. How do these emotions influence your treatment outcomes, and how can you cultivate awareness of these feelings during sessions?
- Creative potential: As we enter the Year of the Wood Snake, list three innovative treatment ideas or practices you would like to explore this year. What creative pathways can you develop to implement these ideas?
- Wisdom and intuition: Reflect on a moment when your intuition guided a successful treatment decision. What did that experience teach you about trusting your instincts as a practitioner?
- Nurturing relationships: Identify the clients who inspire and challenge you. How can you deepen your relationships with these individuals to create mutual growth and understanding?
- Goals for growth: What professional goals do you wish to achieve in the Year of the Wood Snake? Outline actionable steps to reach these goals and reflect on the flexibility that wood energy embodies.
- Self-care practices: What self-care practices do you already have in place? How might these need to shift and change as we move out of the water energy of winter? How can you align your self-care practices with the Year of the Wood Snake and move with each energetic phase of the year?
Winter Yinspiration
Winter is a time of introspection and conservation, where energies retreat inward, mirroring the stillness of the natural world – the perfect time to begin or re-establish our journal practice.
Water embodies the principles of fluidity, adaptability, and depth. It plays a pivotal role in vital function, growth, and emotional regulation. All fabulous food to nourish our journal writing.
During winter, the retreat of yang signifies a time for restorative practices, inviting us as practitioners to harmonise our professional and personal selves. If you are a BAcC member you can check out this video for more about how to get the most from your journaling to transform your life and your acupuncture practice.
This article has been adapted using excerpts from Embracing the Wisdom of the Wood Snake: Shedding, Growing and Journaling through 2025 by Rev Deb Connor, published by Spiritual Bookworm, with permission from the author and publisher.
Rev Deb Connor is a fellow of the British Acupuncture Council practising in St Helens, Merseyside. An ordained 22nd generation Dragon Gate Daoist monk, she is also a journal therapist and published author. Her Substack ‘Creative Spirit with Rev Deb’ is a melting pot of creative spiritual alchemy for curious minds, creative souls and those exploring the in-between.
All images © Rev Deb Connor
