**This blog post has been modified from a featured article in the 2024 issue of Rest & Play Magazine.
This printing of R&P Magazine was exclusive to attendees and sponsors.

My dear friend and Rest & Play alum Chloe Minyon never expected that standing in the chaos of burnout would lead her to one of the most life-giving habits she now shares with others. As a successful watercolor artist and business coach, she had built a thriving creative business—but beneath the surface, she was exhausted. Like so many women juggling work, home, and personal life, burnout had crept in quietly, until she had no choice but to stop and reassess.

In the stillness, Chloe turned to journaling. At first, it was a way to release the overwhelming thoughts spinning in her mind, but soon it became a source of deep clarity and renewal. What began as a simple practice soon transformed into something more—a tool for self-discovery, emotional processing, and spiritual connection.

The shift was so powerful that in 2023, Chloe designed The Clear Mind Journal, a beautifully crafted resource that simplifies and encourages the life-giving habit of journaling. Now, through her work and her journal, she is helping other women find healing and freedom from burnout, just as she did.

The Power of Journaling

Science confirms what Chloe and so many others have discovered—journaling isn’t just a pastime; it’s a proven way to reduce stress and promote mental clarity. Studies show that writing down our thoughts and emotions can lower anxiety, improve mood, and help us process difficult situations more effectively.

So many of my favorite authors confirm what we’re learning, too. These words from Emily P. Freeman remind us, “Writing gives us permission to slow down long enough to pay attention to what’s happening beneath the surface.” And Rebekah Lyons echoes this sentiment, encouraging us to embrace rhythms of renewal: “Rest restores us, renews us, and brings us back to life.” Journaling, as part of a restorative rhythm, allows us to acknowledge where we are and create space for where we want to go.

Why Journaling Works

Beyond the science, journaling provides a sacred space to bring our hearts before God, process our emotions, and recognize the patterns that shape our lives. In Habakkuk 2:2, we’re reminded, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” Writing down our thoughts helps us move forward with intention!

This quote from Brené Brown offers profound insight on this topic: “How can we embrace rest and play if we’ve tied our self-worth to what we produce?” Journaling reminds us that we don’t have to earn our rest. It invites us to pause, reflect, and simply be.

A Journaling Invitation: 6 Questions to Get Started

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, drained, or just in need of clarity, take a few moments to put pen to paper. These questions from Chloe can serve as a great starting point:

• Which area of your life are you most seeking restoration?
• What answers are you seeking in this season?
• What does rest look like for you?
• What does play look like for you?
• What could you benefit from less of?
• What goals do you have for yourself over the next 3, 6, or 12 months?

Journaling is more than a habit—it’s a lifeline! It’s an invitation to slow down, listen to your heart, and embrace the clarity that comes with writing things down. Just as Chloe found freedom through this practice, you can too!

6 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Which area of your life are you most seeking restoration?
2. What answers are you seeking in this season?
3. What does rest look like for you?
4. What does play look like for you?
5. What could you benefit from less of?
6. What goals do you have for yourself over the next 3, 6, or 12 months?

So grab a notebook, pour a cup of tea, and begin.
The words don’t have to be perfect, they just have to be yours.