Raw Reflections: Speak Your Mind, Write Your Truth
Raw Reflections
MENtal MATTERs Journaling Initiative for Black Men
At MENtal MATTERs, we know that life as a Black man comes with its own set of challenges—challenges that we often don’t get the chance to talk about or process. That’s why we’re introducing our Journaling Initiative—a new way for Black men to reflect, release, and strengthen themselves.
We get it. Journaling might not be something you’ve ever done. Maybe you’ve never felt the need to capture your thoughts or maybe it just sounds like extra work. But we’re here to tell you that it’s worth your time. Why not try something new?
Why Journaling?
Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just a way to get your thoughts out—whether you’re writing them down or recording them. The benefits are real: it helps you clear your mind, process tough situations, and even work through the things that don’t always make sense.
For Black men, journaling can be an outlet to deal with everything from the pressures of society to personal struggles that often go unspoken. Whether you write it down or speak it out loud, it’s all about finding a way to express what’s inside, even if you don’t always have someone to talk to.
Written vs. Audio Journaling
We’ll offer two ways to journal:
Written Journaling: If you’re comfortable with writing, this is a great way to get your thoughts on paper. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Just write what’s on your mind.
Audio Journaling: If you’re not into writing, speaking is a great alternative. This can be more natural, especially if you’re on the go. Record your thoughts on your phone or a voice app. There are a number of free audio journaling apps.
Both forms give you a chance to express yourself in different ways, so feel free to mix it up.
Weekly Prompts to Get You Started
We know starting something new can be tough, so we’ll help you with weekly prompts that’ll get you thinking. These prompts will challenge you to reflect on different parts of your life and give you a place to start when you’re not sure what to write or talk about.
Here’s your first journal prompt to kick things off:
Journal Prompt #1:
Think back to your childhood. What’s one lesson or value you learned that has stayed with you? How does it affect the way you handle things today?
This is just the beginning. Each week, we’ll send out new prompts to help you dig deeper into your thoughts and experiences. We’ll also leave room for free flowing, where you can write or speak about anything on your mind—no rules.
Coming Soon!
We’ll be launching a Journaling Challenge where you can sign up, receive incentives to keep you motivated, and have ways for you to track your progress. And if you register for the challenge, you’ll receive a branded MENtal MATTERs journal to help keep your thoughts all in one place.
If you’re ready to give it a shot, all you need to do is grab a pen, your phone, or a recorder and start. It’s a small step that could make a big difference.
Make sure you sign-up to get more information, and get ready for some R & R, a chance to put your raw reflections to paper (or audio) and see where it takes you.
Here is a video about audio journaling. You can also check out our Youtube @mental.matters23 for more resources about the benefits of journaling.
