How to Journal While High
A guide to decluttering the mind through writing with conscious cannabis consumption
You’ve probably heard it many times before - journaling is a therapeutic for many and can enrich your life. But how? And can I journal when I’m high? The answer is a resonating YES - but the combination comes with its own caveats when there is no general direction established in the writing process. As with anything else, building a routine around this practice is key. Let’s get into the thick of all things journaling and find what works best for you.
What are the benefits of journaling
Here are the top reasons how this practice can make a meaningful impact on your overall well being.
Journaling:
is a a free way to relieve stress
boosts your memory and helps recall your days better
can inspire creativity
turns on the goal-oriented mindset and can help you accomplish more
allows you to self-reflect alone, with no judgment
lets you rant with no consequences
can improve your writing skills
can boost your mood and support your mental health
There are tons of scientific studies that reinforce these ideas! Take a deeper look into some journals like this one to learn more about the science behind journaling and its benefits.
Adding journaling to your routine
As we know, to truly incorporate any practice into our daily life, it is necessary to build it into our routine. As creatures of habit, this is uniquely up to you and your lifestyle! If you’re a night owl, you may find it easier to be more expressive after sun down. Or if you’re an early bird looking to set some intentions for the day, it may be best to write first thing in the morning. In order to find the right time to journal, it may be worthwhile to consider what you’re writing, for what purpose and how often - without too many expectations, of course!
Going with the flow is key here. It is for this reason that the combination of getting high and writing can be quite a liberating space to work in. The two really do work well together when there is an overall, adaptable goal in mind. Once the flow state is activated, there is no better time to export your thoughts onto paper.
What to do when you can’t collect your thoughts while high
If you find it difficult to initiate a piece of writing while high, you’re not alone. Sometimes, it’s easy to get carried away when we are infused with the green goodness of THC. With that said, there are many ways we can harness our writing powers through cannabis consumption. It ultimately starts with dosage - knowing where your “sweet spot” is paramount. Cannabis affects everyone differently. Your own personal relationship with the plant plays a large role. Microdosing is making waves these days as more and more people find their productivity is directly correlated to the amount of cannabis consumed. Large doses of cannabis can sometimes cause the mind to run wild, losing track of tasks at hand, time and more. Starting small and working your way up with intermittent check-ins with yourself is the best way to find this proverbial sweet spot. Finding the right strain for you may also be something to consider as various cultivars produce unique effects.
If you’re still finding it difficult to collect your thoughts, consider changing your setting up. Doing so, even just for a minute, is like hitting refresh on your brain. Stand up, walk around, make a cup of tea, take some deep breaths, even stretch if you have to. Doing something physical is an effective alternative to jumpstarting a task as it helps you fall into a meditative state. Activities like working out, going for a stroll or even taking a shower can help you find a more grounded high before you approach your journal.
One thing to remember is that writing is not intimidating when it is just for your eyes. Consider it an extension of your mindset.There is no right or wrong with journaling. Even if there isn’t a direct purpose as to why your pen meets the paper at the start, just go with it! This is a judgement-free zone and it’s going to stay this way!
Not every entry has to start with “Dear Diary”…
It’s the 2021 - you don’t have to anthropomorphise your journal every time you write in it. This practice has evolved!
There are several different ways to pour your mind onto paper - it’s just a matter of what speaks to you the most, at any given time. Here are some common methods that work well in tandem with getting high:
Brain Dump
Imagine taking your purse and emptying out all of the contents onto a table - this is what a brain dump is like on paper
Organization is the least of your worries with this method
This way is liberating for those who just want to let it all out
By doing so, you are able to release any overbearing thoughts or stressors without too much thought
An expressive way to untangle your thoughts
The Pinterest-famous Bullet Journal
Where you log your diary entries, to-do lists and calendar all in one place
This is great for those of us with OCD that just need to see it all together
Entries can be as intricate or open ended as you like
There’s lots of opportunities for creative expression here if you like decorating and colour-coordinating things
Stream of Consciousness Journaling
This refers to writing in more of a narrative style
Imagine it as a running monologue of your thoughts on paper
Great way to track your mental state and recall events
Gratitude Journal
Expressing gratitude in written form is said to have numerous benefits including:
Reinforcing positive emotions
Relishing good experiences
Helps deal with hardship by putting things into perspective
Build strong relationships
Helps us approach facets of life with more compassion towards ourselves and others
There are different ways to go about gratitude journaling - it is up to you what format you decide. A common approach is writing down 3 things that you are grateful for daily
Consider what you’re grateful for but also why - be specific and try to come up with new things every day
A tip for if you’re stuck is to visualize your gratitude and why it actually matters
List-Making Journal
Journals don't have to always be long entries with full, thoughtful sentences - if you’re in a rush or don’t necessarily feel like devoting a lot of your time towards writing, this format gives you plenty of leeway to get the important stuff down with ease
Examples of this could be compiled lists of key points in your day, what you’re excited about, what you would like to change, etc.
Great for beginners
Art Journal
This is for all you artists out there that express yourself through your creations
If words don’t do it for you, feel free to tell a story through drawings, paintings, comic book style narratives, stickers etc.
This is a personal place where your mind can be free and make anything it feels for the moment
Great for introducing an aesthetic appeal to your journal
Lots of opportunities to use cannabis here as you tap into your creative brain
Scrapbooking
Don’t knock it till you try it - this may be our mom’s favourite way to recount milestones but this form of journaling can be quite a pleasure to do
The use of visual aids can really tell a story
You’re welcome to write as much or as little as you want and put some creativity into it along the way
And many others like travel journals, one line a day, dream journals, quotes etc.
While there are many methods to follow for incorporating journaling into your lifestyle, what remains as the most crucial factor here is finding flow and ease no matter what. This is meant to be a healing process.
Ultimately, it matters less what you write and more of what you feel.
Some prompts
If you’re finding yourself in a bit of a writers block, here are some prompts that may help guide your story:
What has been inspiring me lately?
What would I change the most about my life right now?
What boundaries do I need to create to better my relationships?
How do I feel today? (body, mind and soul)
I feel at peace when…
I love getting high and...
I am grateful for…
I need to stop worrying about...
Something I need to stop putting off is…
I need to forgive myself for…
Something about me that I love is…
Smoking pot allows me to...
I feel confident in myself when I…
Who do I want to be for myself and others today?
What are 3 things I need to get done today?
…and many more
Best of luck to you as you find yourself through written words. This is a fruitful journey of self-reflection to embark on. Take your time with it and reap the rewards as the days pass.