Have you ever had a sensational idea and thought about the great things you will do with it? Then a few weeks pass and you can’t even remember what it was about. Do you have so many thoughts and feelings swirling around your head that you sometimes feel overwhelmed? Do you sometimes stand in the middle of your home and find yourself unable to recall simple events or stories? If so, have you considered keeping a personal journal?
Why start personal journaling?
Journaling is writing about our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. There are various reasons and ways people write. Some people use journaling to keep track of their life experiences, their relationships, and daily events. Others utilize journaling as an emotional support tool, where the basis of their writing is to gain more self-understanding and guidance. Journaling allows the writer the opportunity to express inner thoughts without judgment or criticism. Some people start journaling to be more productive and creative and to work on their goals.
What are the benefits of journaling?
Keeping a personal journal has tremendous benefits. Journaling is a great way to release emotions, make sense of complex issues, and raise our self-awareness. Aside from having a tangible record of whatever it is that you are writing about, journaling can be a great tool to write your thoughts and feelings. This will help you acquire great insight and compassion for yourself. Journaling can also be used as a healing tool. It can help heal a recent heartbreak or loss of a loved one. When you write, it helps you organize your thoughts and feelings and enables you to articulate and express your emotions.
So, where do you start?
Even though there is extensive research supporting the benefits of journaling, it is widely underused. Knowing the benefits of journaling, you may be asking where do I start? Well, it’s really simple. All you need is a sturdy notebook and your favorite pen. Now, you may wonder what to write about. Well, the sky is the limit. You can write about whatever is important to you. Some people like to write freely, where they write about whatever is going on in their head. Others write about events in their lives such as pregnancy, the birth of a baby, starting a new career, and so on. There is a journaling type called gratitude journaling and another one for your goals and dreams. The possibilities are endless, and you get to choose whatever works for you.
Some people hesitate to write their innermost thoughts because at some point in their past, someone violated their privacy by reading their journal. For those people, I don’t recommend you stop journaling. There are other ways to ensure you have complete privacy. If you feel uncomfortable putting your most inner thoughts and feelings on paper, find apps that you can download on your devices. Most apps have a password and only you can access your writings. Make sure you read about the terms of service and privacy policies and find an app that you like.
Using your non-dominant hand to write freehand can promote more creative thoughts by using different parts of your brain. Your handwriting may look childish, but you may be surprised at the gems on the page.
To be successful in your journaling, make sure to set time for it. If you ever feel stuck, prompt yourself by asking questions and writing down the answers. Make journaling fun by setting the mood right. Considering it a time for your self-development, always reread your journal to gain more understanding of yourself and have lots of fun.
