The Principle of Reciprocity

Reciprocity shows itself in journaling often.

The beginning of my journaling practice was a trial and error stage.

I made additions and subtractions, slowly creating my own journaling philosophy that cultivated an environment for authentic journaling.

The changes I made to my journaling practice fed back into my journaling philosophy. Then, my journaling philosophy fed my journaling practice. This looping is the reciprocal effect.

Why does this matter? Why isn't it just a feedback loop?

It isn't just a feedback loop because it is building your own system.

Building something for yourself with your own hands is a loving act.

This is a moment when journaling is less about what you write and more about what you do, and how that affects you.

The "do" here is that you're being responsive to your needs. Attending to yourself in this way builds self-trust.

Again, this isn't about what you write about, it's about what you do and how it affects you.

What is a journaling philosophy?

Earlier, I mentioned a "journaling philosophy".

A journaling philosophy is the system of values that direct your journaling practice. Some examples of values are abstract concepts like self-compassion or it could be a concrete actions such as having a specific structure for yourself. Your values are intrinsic and therefor subjective and unique to you as an individual journal keeper.

The important thing is that journaling philosophies provide you with support rather than acting as barrier-rules.

Rules are often extrinsic and in place to force specific outcomes for outcome's sake. They ask you to bend instead of being supportive of who you are. They're often what make people feel like their bad at journaling or that journaling isn't for them.

Examples:

Journaling Rules:

• You must journal every day.

• You must fill the page or journal.

• What you journal about must be profound or interesting.

• Your journal must be neat and aesthetically pleasing.

Journaling Philosophies:

• I journal when I feel drawn to.

• I practice self-compassion.

• I'm here to explore and discover.

• I think about my future self, I also love my current self.

Again, this is subjective so these examples may not resonate or some things that I feel are rules may be a supportive structure to you. You're not wrong, as long as your methods are sustainable, attainable, supportive, enjoyable, and welcoming. Is it supplement vs rigidity.

Why 'Reciprocity' is worth naming:

It's good to make an abstract concept real:

Journaling is for evolution,

transformation,

self-discovery,

and self love,

and so much more.

"Reciprocity" captures of that.

What strikes awe for me out to me how this effect is not dependent on a prompt or any particular style of journaling but instead it's using journaling as a proxy for how you interact with yourself and what you gain from that.

It is practicing how to love yourself. It's kissing your reflection in the mirror.