{"id":1191,"date":"2026-04-23T17:05:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/hasspgrblog\/?p=1191"},"modified":"2026-04-23T17:05:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:05:42","slug":"reflective-journal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/hasspgrblog\/2026\/04\/23\/reflective-journal\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of the Reflective Journal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Making Space for Emotion in Doctoral Research <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This blog by Rachel Griffiths appeared first on the Exeter Doctoral College Blog<\/a><\/em>, reposted by kind permission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctoral research can be emotionally challenging. Whether you\u2019re exploring sensitive topics, engaging with marginalised communities, or reflecting on your own identity and experiences, the emotional impact of research can be profound.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blogpost, I write about tools I have used in my previous work as a mental health practitioner to think about how reflective journalling can support the emotional process of research.  It is based on a recent workshop that I led for the recent South-West Doctoral Training Partnership\u2019s Annual Student Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is reflective journalling?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u202fAt its core, keeping a reflective journal is a process of slowing down to think about, write and make sense of complex experiences. It\u2019s a space to untangle thoughts and emotions, ask uncomfortable questions, and find a way through difficult decisions. So, if we think about the traditional research journal as more than a tool to record the day-to-day research \u2018stuff\u2019, I think it can also be used to develop a more rigorous, emotionally grounded, and ethically engaged research stance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Journal?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflective journalling can be an emotional lifeline. It helps prevent emotional spillover \u2014 that creeping impact of unresolved feelings from difficult research encounters on our personal relationships, everyday decisions, or our self-worth. Writing things down helps to process difficult moments, like a challenging interview or an unsettling piece of literature. It also helps you step back and ask: \u201cWhy did that moment hit me so hard?\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journalling also gives space to work through ethical dilemmas, allowing for thinking with honesty and kindness about why something in the research didn\u2019t go to plan, why something important was overlooked, and what you might do differently next time. And while journals are personal, they can also provide starting points for meaningful conversations with supervisors or peers about finding ways through the feeling-stuck-ness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Should I Write About?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no single right way to journal, but here are some prompts that might get you started: <\/p>\n\n\n\n