A motivational journal for women [book review]

EMPOWERED: A motivational journal for women

Michaela Renee Johnson, MA, LMFT

[Rockridge Press, 156 pages]

Empowered: A Motivational Journal for Women is a guided self-help journal that teaches you how to tap into your subconscious self in order to:

• Discover what your dreams truly are
• Gain the confidence required to pursue these dreams
• Achieve what you’re seeking, despite any potential obstacles

It caters to a female reader, specifically one who is open to discovering how to implement more joy and fulfillment into her life.

Empowered is written by Michaela Renee Johnson, a bestselling author, psychotherapist and the creator of the podcast “Be You Find Happy.” Johnson has evidently used her many years of experience with helping women reach their true potential to develop a variety of authentic and powerful exercises that are found in this journal.

I can confidently say that there were parts of Empowered that took me to places that other self-help books, journals and sessions haven’t been able to, in the most beautiful way possible.

Each page of Empowered provides readers with the opportunity to discover aspects of their body, mind and soul that they may not have otherwise consciously reached. The exercises Johnson offers are more than merely thought-provoking writing prompts. There are several opportunities to artistically and spiritually awaken and express yourself, so you can better understand what’s helping or prohibiting you from being your best you.

“What we envision becomes what we have”

Empowered is arranged in a well-thought-out sequence, in which each section takes you deeper into your subconscious mind. The enlightening quotes (see heading above for example) provided on most pages effectively encourage you to envision what your soul is genuinely seeking. Each quote is often followed by prophetic written guidance by Johnson that inspires you to truly immerse yourself in the journal’s exercises.

The first few exercises in Empowered serve as opportunities for you to become self-aware enough to narrow down the specific dreams you want to become a reality. For instance, there is an exercise that leaves space for the creation of a “vision board,” a manifesting place to house pictures of things you want most in life. This activity can lead to prominent, more clearly visualized desires.

“We all have an inner heroine”

The ensuing exercises in Empowered encourage you to believe that you’re capable and deserving of achieving anything you want, no matter how challenging it may seem.

Some of the exercises include writing out accomplishments that once seemed like a faraway dream, colouring in positive affirmations and mantras or writing a letter to someone who has supported your past dreams.

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