Growing The Mind One Page At A Time

At times processing and expressing emotions can be challenging, but emotions are a universal part of the human experience. When we struggle to articulate them or to cope with them, they can become overpowering. In times of difficulty or perceived failure, we can shut down and become entrenched in our current feelings and negative way of thinking. In such moments, we may need encouragement and support to broaden our horizons and to acknowledge and believe in our own abilities.

Journaling offers us a way to put our thoughts and emotions into writing. However, when we struggle to find the right words to convey our feelings, the empty pages can make it difficult to know where to start.

The company Big Life Journal has created a series of journals filled with prompts and activities to help kids express their feelings and develop a growth mindset.

Growth Mindset

Coined by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, the concept of a growth mindset emphasizes that challenges and setbacks signal the start of a journey, rather than the conclusion of one. By accepting challenges as essential components of our learning journey, we view them not as obstacles that hinder growth, but as opportunities for growth. Individuals with a growth mindset typically exhibit the following traits:

• They embrace challenges.

• They learn from criticism.

• They persist through setbacks. 

• They see effort as a path to mastery. 

• They are inspired by the success of others.

When faced with challenges, individuals with a growth mindset recognize and acknowledge their emotions and focus them towards making positive progress. This requires reflection, willingness, patience, practice, and determination.

Journaling Your Way To A Growth Mindset

When I was younger, I kept a journal. On its pages I recorded my deepest thoughts and feelings. The goal for me was to just get the words out. Reflecting on the words and manifesting them into positive thoughts and actions did not come to me until much later in life. In my younger years it was difficult to make that conversion; I just did not have the know-how. It would have been nice to have a personal resource to guide me through the process.

Big Life Journal has designed journals that provide guided self-reflection in order to improve emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and overall confidence for kids, teens, and adults. There are age appropriate journals for each group.

Big Life Journal for Kids (there are two editions):

Daily Edition (ages 5-11)

This edition comes in both green and teal colors and has a 28-page printable PDF companion guide which you can also purchase and download. The companion guide, Parent's Guide to Daily Edition, provides tips and gives details about the lessons and strategies used in the journal.

2nd Edition (ages 7-10)

The 2nd edition has different content (prompts, illustrations, stories, and quotes) than the first edition and is designed to accompany the Big Life Kids podcast.

For tweens and teens:

Big Life Journal (ages 11+)

This edition is designed to help tweens and teens discover their unique strengths and turn their inner voice into a positive and powerful one. There is also a PDF Growth Mindset Printable Kit that is available for purchase. The Growth Mindset Printable Kit includes a collection of prompts, posters, and activities for ages 11+.

Setting The Example

It is important that we as parents have a healthy mindset so that we can serve as a positive example for our children. Big Life Journal has created a motivational journal for adults (ages 18-99) filled with lessons and prompts to help us grow our minds so that we can forge a positive path for our children to follow.

To view and purchase Big Life Journal resources through my affiliate link, please click here.

Putting It In Writing

In addition to being used for self-reflection, personal journals are also used for self-expression, goal setting, problem-solving, stress relief, inspiration, memory, self-care, and improving writing and communication skills. Each page that we write, provides us with the opportunity to explore and discover our own potential. We just need to open our minds, embrace the journey, and take it one page at a time.