The Magazine January 2025

Dear diary…

Posted 20th November 2024

Journalling is a simple way to boost your mindset and riding. Alison Buttery explains how to go about it

Dear-diary

Journalling, or writing a diary, has long been recognised as a powerful tool for improving mental health and boosting confidence. Not only does it provide a record for future reference, but when you write down or record your thoughts and feelings, you engage your brain in a way that helps you process emotions and reduce anxiety.

Journalling can be particularly beneficial when it comes to riding. By regularly documenting your experiences, you’re giving yourself a safe space to reflect on your performance, your mindset and confidence but without any judgement.

Did you know?

Neuroscience has shown that expressive writing can activate the brain’s problem-solving regions and diminish the influence of the stress response.

Positive process

Using a journal to track your progress and monitor your performance can provide invaluable insights. For instance, you could describe each riding session, detailing what went well and what didn’t. Over time, you’ll start to see trends that can help you to improve. You might notice your nerves are worse when you’ve had a stressful day at work or that certain exercises consistently boost your confidence.

Reflecting on specific situations is also crucial for improvement. After a challenging ride, write down what happened, how you felt and what you could do differently next time. This kind of reflection not only helps to process your emotions but also prepares you for future rides, making it easier to handle similar situations with confidence.

Did you know?

Journalling can help you identify areas of progress, recognise patterns and discover different solutions to challenges.

Taking control

The process is based around tracking your thoughts and emotions objectively and non-judgementally. This means when writing down what happened and how you felt, you’re not criticising or beating yourself up. Clearing your headspace in this way can make you feel calmer and more in control of your thoughts. It can also help you discover learning opportunities that you might otherwise have missed.

Top tip

Set aside a time and place for journalling that works for you and fits into your routine. The goal is consistency, not perfection, so it becomes a natural, manageable part of your daily life.

Discover more of Alison’s journalling tips in January Horse&Rider – now available!

 

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