Melissa Dunn

Journaling is a private and creative expression of self. It can be done in prose, poetry or artistic form. There are not limits for journaling, and it can be a powerful creative and expressive tool for young women in addition to providing rich opportunities for them to connect spiritually and explore their personal spirituality. Journals are used for personal expression as well as for recording notes and information. Journals are personal and private and are/ should be treated as such.

Journaling Ideas
Maggie Greenwade

Instead of buying traditional journals, which tend to get expensive, try using a composition notebook. You can easily re - cover these books using paper and material. As a project in self - discovery, have the girls decorate the outside of the journal symbolic of how they present themselves to the world. The inside of the journal is their "inner self." Discuss with them the difference between their true self (the inside of the journal) and the outside of the journal, which is the image they portray to others.

Other tips for journaling:
Denise Chrisman

• Encourage girls to include one positive thing about themselves in every entry.
• Have them include positive comments or compliments they've received (they do not have to write the entry about the comment, just encourage them to write it down).
• Remember they should never be forced to share what is in their journal. They need to be aware of this and reminded often so they can feel safe writing their true feelings.