As the New Year begins, I’ve resolved to tune into what I call the Love Channel—a place of inner peace and connection. It’s not a physical space but more like a state of being, one that allows us to approach life with love, even during uncertainty, difficulty, or isolation. And I know how hard this can be. I’ve stayed stuck in my own mud many, many times. But here’s the thing: I eventually get back up, and I’ll bet you do, too.
As a caregiver, I often felt terribly disconnected from feelings of love, especially when overwhelmed by circumstances beyond my control. Over time, journaling became a way to help me reconnect with myself. By writing, I could name, claim, and validate my emotions—no matter how messy or painful they were. This simple act of naming, validating, and examining my emotions turned journaling into my most important anchor. I was committed to it—it became a priority for me.
There’s something uniquely powerful about putting pen to paper. The physical act of writing slows the mind, inviting a deeper presence with your thoughts and feelings. Unlike typing, writing by hand creates a tangible connection between the heart and the page, helping emotions flow and settle. It’s a practice that grounds me and reminds me of my ability to hold space for myself, no matter what is happening around me. That said, if typing works for you, embrace it!
Through journaling, I learned to explore whether action was needed or whether I could let go and allow things to simply be. When I allowed myself to sit with the reality of the moment—whether it was people being thoughtless, situations being unfair, or endless uncertainty—I found unexpected peace in knowing I didn’t have to approve of or fix what was beyond my control. I could simply allow it to be.
Staying on the Love Channel doesn’t mean tolerating harm or mistreatment. Sometimes, strength and courage are required to take difficult actions. But even then, journaling helped me act with less judgment, freeing me from the grip of anger or resentment. In those moments, I discovered a different kind of freedom—one rooted in acceptance.
I often imagine the Love Channel as the stillness at the bottom of the ocean, while storms rage above. It’s not always easy to stay in that place, but journaling helps me return to it. Writing allows me to untangle my thoughts and feelings, recognize what’s within my power, and allow or release what is not.
This practice is a work in progress for me. I’m no expert, but I do know the Love Channel exists, and journaling is one of the most powerful tools I’ve found to tune into it. I hope you find yours.
Making a commitment to yourself is the first step toward relieving emotional pain. Distractions and denial may work for a time, but true healing comes when we turn inward with compassion in our heart.
Prompt: When things go poorly, what is one small step you can take to reorient yourself toward peace or connection?