Self-awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have for healing, growth, and change. In my work as a trauma and addiction therapist, I always tell my clients that journalling is the second best healing tool after therapy<\/strong>. Writing allows us to slow down, make sense of our thoughts, and process emotions in a safe and structured way.<\/p>\n One method I often recommend for journaling is Gibbs\u2019 Reflective Cycle<\/strong>. Originally developed for education and healthcare, it\u2019s now widely used for personal growth because it helps people move beyond simply recording experiences to truly learning from them.<\/p>\n Gibbs\u2019 Reflective Cycle (1988) is a six-stage model designed to guide reflection and deeper understanding. Instead of stopping at \u201cwhat happened,\u201d it encourages you to explore your feelings, evaluate outcomes, and plan how you might respond differently in the future.<\/p>\n Here are the six stages:<\/p>\n Description<\/strong> \u2013 What happened? Stick to the facts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Feelings<\/strong> \u2013 What were you thinking and feeling at the time?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Evaluation<\/strong> \u2013 What was good and bad about the experience?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Analysis<\/strong> \u2013 Why did things happen the way they did? What sense can you make of it?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Conclusion<\/strong> \u2013 What did you learn? What could you have done differently?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Action Plan<\/strong> \u2013 If it happened again, how would you handle it? What steps will you take moving forward?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Journaling doesn\u2019t need to be perfect or polished\u2014it just needs to be honest. Using Gibbs\u2019 Reflective Cycle as a framework can give your writing direction and help you go deeper than surface-level thoughts. Here\u2019s how to start:<\/p>\n Pick a recent experience<\/strong>: This could be a conversation, a trigger, a relapse, or even a positive achievement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Work through the six stages<\/strong>: Write a few sentences (or pages!) for each stage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Be kind to yourself<\/strong>: Reflection isn\u2019t about judgement\u2014it\u2019s about understanding and growth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Look for patterns<\/strong>: Over time, you\u2019ll start to see recurring themes, emotions, or challenges that point to areas of healing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Journalling with Gibbs\u2019 Cycle can help you:<\/p>\n Recognise unhelpful patterns in relationships or behaviours.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Process and release difficult emotions safely.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Develop healthier coping strategies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Build compassion for yourself and your journey.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Strengthen your recovery alongside therapy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Many of my clients find that when they combine therapy with journaling, their progress deepens. Therapy provides a safe, guided space for healing, while journaling reinforces that work in between sessions.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a practical way to grow your self-awareness, Gibbs\u2019 Reflective Cycle is a wonderful tool to try in your journal. Remember: journaling is the second best healing tool after therapy<\/strong>, and together they can be transformative.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like more guidance on self-awareness, trauma recovery, or managing codependency and addiction, I\u2019d love to support you. You can learn more about my therapy services in Romford, <\/a><\/strong>or get in touch to book a session.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self-awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have for healing, growth, and change. In my work as a trauma and addiction therapist, I always tell my clients that journalling is the second best healing tool after therapy. Writing allows us to slow down, make sense of our thoughts, and process emotions in a … <\/p>\n
\nWhat is Gibbs\u2019 Reflective Cycle?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nHow to Use Gibbs\u2019 Reflective Cycle in Journaling<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nThe Benefits of Journalling for Self-Awareness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nFinal Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n