Peace is being able to stand strong in our own deep convictions, while allowing others to hold a differing viewpoint and being able to handle potential stormy or challenging reactions. It's also about having enough humilty to be open to learning and expanding it if we come across new information or evidence.
In the midst of emotion, blurting out our politic or religious views can damage relationships. Whether we express them with too much vulnerability or too much aggression, emotionally-charged communication rarely helps anyone. It turns into a battle for control.
When we can journal first and put all of that emotion onto the page, it opens up space for clarity and for logic. The most powerful opinions hold a balance of both logic and emotion. There's a groundedness to them that makes people feel safe and more open - regardless of whether they agree with us or not. No-one ever changes their mind from feeling shamed, made wrong or made angry. Changes of mind and heart come from seeing our shared humanity.
In this article, we'll explore how to use journalling to get clear on:
- where you stand from a deep, authentic place inside of yourself
- how you want to express your views
- what boundaries you want to put in place around responses and reactions you might get
Journalling Prompts
Try these journalling prompts to explore your views and hidden ways you might hold yourself back. I was doing a ChatGPT session and it was helping me explore boundaries. So I asked it for journalling prompts to help with setting boundaries and it came up with these. I found them enormously helpful and you'll see my example at the bottom.
1. What do I genuinely feel about this event/situation. before considering anyone else's views?
Feel into your body for guidance on this. Notice how your body feels in relation to thoughts your think.
2. What parts of my experience or opinion feel true to me, regardless of how they might be perceived?
Again, detach from others' perspectives and pay attention to how your body feels as you explore your experience and opinions.
3. What response am I afraid of or drawn to from others? Why?
This is a powerful area to explore and uncover hidden needs for validation, fear of disapproval or fear of criticism.
4. How do I want to feel after sharing my thoughts? Energized, clear, calm?
This helps to set a clear intention for your sharing.
5. What boundaries do I want to set around feedback or engagement after sharing this?
Consider how much energy, emotional labour and time you're willing to give to reactions to your views.
The Prompts In Action
Here's how I shared my views about the US election result and set boundaries around what I would tolerate in response on Facebook.
I decided to stick to the emotional experience, clearly sharing my disappointment and political views without naming them. But since I'm in the UK and not directly impacted by the result, I wanted to end with sharing support for friends in America. I added "feeling the weight of this" to specify friends who share my political views.
I decided that I wasn't willing and didn't have the bandwidth to deal with any comments that were pro-Trump in disrespectful, unempathetic and emotionally disregulated ways. So I stated that clearly and people have responded to my wishes. There are differing views but only expressed with respect, so I was happy with that result.
The choice of social media platform was important too. Facebook isn't as open as platforms like X/Twitter and Threads - it's people I'm connected with. I wasn't willing and didn't have the bandwidth to deal with strangers' views and emotions.
It's Not Just For Political Views
The beauty of these prompts is that we can apply them in different areas of our lives - work, relationships, creative expression. They can guide us to a deeper sense of who we are and what's truly important to us.
Journalling can anchor us in our deepest truth and support us in radiating the peace and connection our communities need.
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