May your imagination lead your path to healing
After unexpectedly losing what I thought was my dream job, I embarked on a journey to create something that could assist both myself and others. Wrestling with overthinking and anxiety, I encountered significant hurdles in finding effective relaxation techniques, particularly due to my inclination to constantly strive for more. Reflecting on the comforts that sustain me, I committed myself wholeheartedly to crafting a solution for individuals facing similar challenges. Thus, The Sleep Journal and Ruya Journals were born.
Traditional reflective journaling has been widely praised for its therapeutic benefits, but personally, I found it cumbersome, especially as a pre-bedtime ritual.
Considering that many of us find comfort in our favorite movies, TV shows, and fictional books, I realized that our imaginations play a significant role in our ability to heal, as well as how we perceive our lives.
Our capacity to immerse ourselves deeply in the lives of fictional characters and to fantasize about living in their worlds often brings about a sense of peace and joy. For many, it may be the only time they experience contentment. I genuinely believe this is why so many people choose to spend their weekends and evenings immersed in fiction, or browsing images and videos of places they wish to visit, envisioning themselves there.
I wanted to incorporate these elements into a relaxing journaling practice before bed, to establish a bedtime routine that signals to the brain that the day is ending. I also sought a way to engage my overthinking and overstimulated mind. Instead of attempting to quiet my racing thoughts, I realized I could simply redirect them to aid me in falling asleep, rather than work against me. Additionally, I aimed to achieve this without relying on technology as part of my bedtime routine.
Stay tuned for more journals in development!