Seeing the Problem – Creating the Solution

Life has a way of presenting us with challenges — sometimes small and fleeting, other times heavy and overwhelming. When we’re in the middle of it, it can feel like all we can see is the problem, and the solution seems far away. That’s exactly why I created this page in my Calm Your Mind Journal: to help you shift from feeling stuck to feeling empowered.

On the left, you’ll find The Dark Frame.
This is your safe place to put your problem into words — honestly, without judgment. What’s weighing on your mind? What’s bothering you right now? Writing it down is like shining a light on it. Suddenly, it’s no longer swirling in your thoughts, it’s right there on paper, where you can look at it from a distance. You might also choose to draw or sketch it — anything that helps you express what’s inside.

On the right, you’ll find The White Frame.
This is your space for possibilities, hope, and action. Here you shift your focus from the problem to the solution. Write down steps you could take, symbols of hope, or simply words that feel like light breaking through the clouds. You can also imagine this glowing white frame in your mind whenever you think about your problem — holding your solution safe inside.

This exercise is a gentle way to train your mind to see more than just obstacles. It helps you remember that you have choices, you have options, and most importantly, you have the ability to change how you respond.

If you find yourself feeling stuck this week, take a moment with these two frames. Give your problem a name, and then give your solution a place to live. Trust that answers often come when we make room for them.

Try it for yourself

  • Name the challenge. What’s one thing currently weighing on you?
  • Sketch or write it out. Let it out without filtering.
  • Shift the focus. In the White Frame, note down one action, thought, or perspective that would help you move forward.
  • Visualize the solution. Whenever the problem comes to mind, imagine it surrounded by light in your White Frame.

Choosing Positivity & Practicing Gratitude — Even When It’s Hard

I know how difficult it can feel to stay positive when everything seems messy, overwhelming, or just heavy. I’ve been there too—caught in anxious loops, stuck in what felt like endless grey days, struggling to see anything good. But I’ve also learned something important along the way: we can train our minds to gently shift focus from fear to hope, from chaos to calm, from what’s wrong to what’s still right.

This is not about pretending everything is okay or forcing toxic positivity. It’s about choosing to see that even in the darkest moments, there is always a small light. Even when things aren’t going how we planned, there’s still something we can hold onto—a kind word, a comforting moment, a lesson learned, or a tiny victory. And recognizing these things changes everything.

The Power of Positive Focus

In the Calm Your Mind Journal, I included special pages to help with this exact practice. These are spaces where you can take a difficult situation and ask yourself: Is there anything good about this? Is there something I can learn or appreciate here?

It’s not about minimizing your feelings—it’s about honoring them while also choosing not to stay stuck in them. Writing down even one small positive thought helps refocus your mind. Over time, this becomes a beautiful habit: when something upsetting happens, your brain starts naturally looking for the silver lining instead of just spiraling into the dark.

Maybe you write:

  • “I’m grateful this made me slow down.”
  • “It helped me realize I need better boundaries.”
  • “It taught me how strong I really am.”

It’s such a gentle but powerful shift. And it’s one you can choose daily.

Gratitude: A Daily Reset

There’s also a page in the journal just for gratitude—and I want to talk about why that’s so important.

Gratitude isn’t just a buzzword. It literally rewires your brain. When you focus on what you do have, your perspective changes. Suddenly life doesn’t feel like something that’s constantly going wrong—it starts to feel full, meaningful, and even a little magical.

You don’t need big things to be grateful for. In fact, the small ones matter the most:

  • A warm cup of tea.
  • The way the sunlight hits your floor in the morning.
  • A deep breath.
  • A kind message from someone you love.
  • A moment of peace in your mind.

Some days it will feel easier to notice these things. Other days, it will feel like nothing is right. And those are the days when gratitude is most needed. Even just writing down one thing shifts your energy.

I often say: if you can find one small thing to be thankful for, your heart begins to open again.

You Can Start Now

If this feels like something you need, I really encourage you to try these pages in the journal. You can download the digital version and print it, or just write in your notebook if that feels easier. The prompts are there to help gently guide your thoughts toward clarity and peace.

And if you already have the Calm Your Mind Journal, go back to those pages. Use them again and again. Let them hold you when your mind is spinning or your heart feels heavy.


Remember: you are not your thoughts. You are the gentle, wise soul observing them—and you have the power to shift those thoughts into healing ones.

You deserve to feel peace. You deserve to feel good. And it all starts with one small, grateful thought.

Calm Your Mind Through Writing

Let your thoughts breathe, one word at a time.

We all have those days when our mind feels like a tangled mess — thoughts spinning in circles, worries piling up, and it’s hard to focus on anything. You might try to push the thoughts away, tell yourself not to think about it, or distract yourself with something else. But somehow they always return, louder than before.

What I’ve learned is: instead of fighting those thoughts, the most powerful thing you can do is to welcome them to the page.

Writing is one of the best ways to calm your mind. There’s something healing about getting those thoughts out of your head and onto paper. When you write things down — especially the things that feel too big or messy — you give yourself space to breathe. You take away their power.

This is exactly what I share in the Calm Your Mind Journal. There’s a special page called “Calm Your Mind Through Writing”, and it’s designed to help with those heavy mental spirals. I’ve used this method myself countless times when anxiety was high or when my thoughts felt too much to handle.

Here’s how it works:
You simply start by writing down all your confusing, troubling, or even irrational thoughts inside a circle (in the journal or on any blank page if you don’t have it printed yet). Don’t overthink it. Just write what’s there.

Then, take a deep breath. And look at what you’ve written. Go through each thought gently, without judgment, and ask yourself:

  • How realistic is this thought, really?
  • Where did this belief come from?
  • Is this fear or worry actually true, or just something my mind created in panic?

When you start to question your thoughts like that, you activate the logical part of your brain. The emotional storm quiets down. You gain perspective. You begin to realize that maybe things aren’t as bad as they seemed a moment ago.

This practice doesn’t “fix” everything instantly. But it shifts something. You feel less trapped in your head. You take your power back.

I’ve added this page to the journal because it has truly helped me, and I want you to have this space too. Whether you use the digital version, or prefer the printed journal, the most important thing is to use it. Let it become your safe space.

So the next time your mind is racing and you feel overwhelmed, try this simple step: write it all down. Let the page hold what you no longer want to carry. Then look at your thoughts with a soft, curious heart. You might be surprised how calming it can be.

Your mind deserves peace. And sometimes, all it takes is a pen and a little space.

Why Journaling is Good for You (And How to Get Started)

Hey there, and welcome! If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re curious about journaling—or maybe you’ve tried it before but never quite stuck with it. Either way, I’m happy you’re here. Journaling has been a life-changing tool for me, and I truly believe it can help you too.

Writing things down has a way of clearing the mind, helping us process emotions, and even making sense of the chaos life throws at us. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck in your thoughts, or unsure how to move forward, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) can be the best thing you do for yourself.

So, why is journaling so powerful? Here are five reasons to give it a try:

1. It helps clear your mind

Ever had a million thoughts racing through your head, making it impossible to focus? Writing them down can help organize the chaos. It’s like a mental detox—you get all those swirling thoughts out of your head and onto paper, which makes room for clarity and peace.

2. You gain self-awareness

Journaling helps you understand yourself better. When you write about your feelings, fears, and dreams, you start to notice patterns—what lifts you up, what holds you back, and what truly matters to you.

3. It’s a safe space for your emotions

Not everything needs to be shared with the world. Your journal is a judgment-free zone where you can be 100% honest about how you feel. Whether you’re processing sadness, anxiety, or even excitement, writing it down helps you release those emotions in a healthy way.

4. It helps with stress and anxiety

When your thoughts feel overwhelming, journaling can bring relief. Try writing down your worries, then challenge them—ask yourself, Is this really true? Is there another way to see this? You might be surprised at how much calmer you feel after getting it all out on paper.

5. You create a record of your growth

Looking back at old journal entries can be eye-opening. You’ll see how far you’ve come, how much you’ve learned, and how strong you truly are. Sometimes we don’t notice our own progress until we see it in our own words.

Ready to start?

The best part about journaling? There are no rules! You can write daily or whenever you feel like it. You can use prompts, write freely, or just scribble down random thoughts. The most important thing is to start.

If you don’t know where to begin, try this: “Today, I am feeling…” and just let the words flow.