An Interview With Jake Frankel
Emotional Release: Journaling is a peaceful outlet where you can express fears and anxieties, confronting them head-on. Expressing your worries on paper can lessen their power over you, providing a sense of calm
Journaling is a powerful tool to gain clarity and insight especially during challenging times of loss and uncertainty. Writing can cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and provide an outlet for calmness, resilience and mindfulness. When my mom passed on, I found writing to be cathartic. When I read through my journal years later, there were thoughts that I developed into poems, and others that simply provided a deeper insight into myself. In this series I’m speaking with people who use journaling to become more mindful and resilient.
As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dallas Gordon, Founder of the Journal Junk Box.
Dallas Gordon is an author, business mentor and the owner of the Journal Junk Box, a journaling and stationery subscription company inspiring women across the globe to explore creative writing and prioritize self-care.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! We really appreciate the courage it takes to publicly share your story of healing. Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
Thank you for inviting me to this series. I’m honored to share my journey. I grew up in the suburbs of Maryland as a pastor’s kid which came with the pressure of expectations. At the age of eight, my mom gave me my first lock and key diary. It soon became my sanctuary. While I had a great childhood and cherish those memories, there was constant pressure to maintain a perfect image in order to set a “good example” before the congregation. My journal became my safe haven, a place where I could express myself freely and process my feelings without the weight of expectations.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about journaling. Have you been writing in your journal for a long time or was there a challenging situation that prompted you to start journal writing? If you feel comfortable sharing the situation with us, it could help other readers.
Journaling has been a huge part of my life since childhood. It was a means of release and a private space where I could express my true feelings. Journaling became an even greater necessity after a failed marriage in my early twenties. Growing up at home with two loving parents, I never imagined I’d end up as a young single mom, facing life’s challenges alone. Turning to my journal during that time helped me to sort out my emotions and work through the situations I was going through at that time. Journaling was more than just a way to cope, it became crucial for my personal growth and understanding.
How did journaling help you heal, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?
Journaling has been a huge part of my healing journey. It’s allowed me to reaffirm positive thoughts and beliefs about myself, helping me to process childhood traumas and challenging relationships. It became a powerful tool for self-acceptance that helped me learn how to love myself. Over everything, journaling became my mirror, reflecting my inner world. Although confronting truths about myself were frightening at times, journaling provided me with the courage I needed to grow.
Did journaling help you find more self-compassion and gratitude? Can you share a story about that?
Yes, journaling has certainly helped deepen my sense of self-compassion and gratitude. One journaling activity I cherish is gratitude journaling. Each day, I begin by writing down a list of all the things I’m grateful for. This daily habit helps me start my day with a grateful heart and I give thanks regardless of the challenges I’m facing. I find that there’s always something to be thankful for and by focusing on the positive, I set a positive tone for the rest of my day. Developing this daily habit has not only done volumes for my mental and emotional health but also helps me focus on the small joys and blessings in life.
What kind of content goes into your journal? For example, do you free-write, write poems, doodle?
In my journal, I enjoy a mix of structured writing and creative entries. I start by making lists to organize my thoughts and gain clarity for the day ahead. I also write out my prayers which helps me feel connected and grounded. Sometimes, I use a method called scripting. This is when I write about my future life as I envision it, setting intentions and imagining limitless possibilities. I incorporate fun into my journaling by adding doodles, stickers and other decorative elements to the pages. Free-writing is also a big part of my journaling routine as it allows me to freely express my thoughts and process worries without judgement. Having variety in my journaling practice keeps it fresh and personal.
How did you gain a different perspective on life and your emotions while writing in your journal? Can you please share a story about what you mean?
Journaling has helped me to change my perspective, especially when I have anxiety about upcoming events. I remember I had a significant speaking engagement approaching, and I found myself overwhelmed and worrying about possibly stuttering or making mistakes. To face these fears, I turned to my journal. I wrote about the positive outcome I hoped for and visualized myself calmly speaking with poise. This exercise wasn’t just me daydreaming, it was a way to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for the event. When the day of the event arrived, I spoked confidently and the audience responded with warmth and excitement. My worries turned out to be unnecessary. Looking back on this experience reinforces that my journal is instrumental in helping me face my fears.
In my own journal writing, I ended up creating poems from some of the ideas and one of them won an award. Do you have plans with your journal content?
My team and I have been blessed to create a phenomenal experience here at the Journal Junk Box. We’ve built a fantastic community of women who receive some of the same monthly journal prompts that have been instrumental in my own journey and growth. These prompts are included in our subscription boxes and also shared through our monthly digital Prompt Nest Club. Our subscribers receive a variety of journal prompts focused on self-improvement, inspiring them to explore different aspects of their personal growth. Not only has this enriched their journaling experience but also deepens their sense of connection within our community. Through these shared journaling prompts and resources, we inspire each other to reflect and express ourselves.
In my journaling program, I have found that journaling can help people to become more calm, mindful and resilient. Based on your experience and research, can you please share with our readers “five ways that journaling can help you to be more calm, mindful and resilient”?
Here are 5 ways that journaling can help you to be more calm, mindful and resilient:
- Relaxation: Journaling provides a safe space to unwind and process the events from the day. It allows you to unpack your thoughts and emotions, helping you relax and release any stresses built up throughout the day.
2. Mindfulness: Writing in a journal encourages you to focus on the present moment. As you fill the blank pages, you become grounded and focused on the now. Journaling helps you to center yourself while exploring your thoughts and feelings without distraction.
3. Emotional Release: Journaling is a peaceful outlet where you can express fears and anxieties, confronting them head-on. Expressing your worries on paper can lessen their power over you, providing a sense of calm.
4. Visualizing: Journaling can be helpful for visualizing the life of your dreams. By outlining your hopes and desires, you actively participate in shaping your future, which can inspire a forward-thinking mindset.
5. Self-Discovery and Healing: Journaling provides an opportunity for deep self-exploration. It’s a place for examining past traumas, practicing self-love, and reflecting on personal growth. Through writing, you can confront your deepest secrets and reflect on past experiences and future plans, which is essential for healing.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of peace to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
If I could inspire a movement to bring peace to many, it would definitely build on the message we promote through the Journal Junk Box: journaling is accessible to everyone. I believe in the power of starting simple — with just a journal and a pen. Anyone can write from the heart, regardless of their circumstances. Introducing this practice early on, particularly in schools, would be transformative. It would allow young people to make journaling a lifelong habit, empowering them to process emotions, confront fears, and articulate their dreams and goals. I am convinced that journaling can make the world a better place, one person; one page at a time.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
A person I truly admire and would love to meet is Tabitha Brown. She embodies living authentically and inspires countless people with her healthy recipes, motivational content, and health-conscious products. What resonates with me the most is how she maintains her faith and integrity in the spotlight, never compromising her true self for fame. Sharing a meal with her would be an incredible opportunity to discuss how she navigates her values and success, and I believe our conversation could be truly insightful.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can stay updated with the Journal Junk Box across all major social media platforms by following us at @journaljunkbox. For more personal insights and updates, you can follow me at @i.am.dallasgordon. I’d love to connect with you!
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued fulfilment and success with your writing!
Dallas Gordon Of Journal Junk Box: How Journaling Helped Me Be More Calm, Mindful And Resilient was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.