While some people may view writing in a journal as juvenile and equate it to writing in a diary, that is not the limit to journaling and even though some people may find that type and style of journaling to be the most beneficial to them, it is not a good fit for everyone. Journaling is one of many ways that we can practice self-care in our day-to-day lives. Additionally, there are many different ways that one can journal and find a comfortable way to utilize the activity in their lives. There are also a number of benefits to people who utilize journaling even if it is on an irregular, non-daily basis.
Self-care is a term that is used often in recent years on social media and traditional media regarding personal well-being. The ideology behind self-care is that a person must be sure to meet their own needs and prioritize their well-being instead of constantly serving others. Using a journal can be beneficial for that because it can help someone’s well-being in multiple ways. One person may find a gratitude journal to be helpful so that they can form the habit of looking for the good things already within their lives and another person may find that they can better organize their thoughts and feelings through writing or typing them out. Someone may also find utilizing journal prompts can help them feel more in touch with themselves and help with self-compassion and a sense of identity.
Journaling is an activity that can be highly personalized. First, there is the choice between written and electronic journals. If you are more comfortable typing or using voice-to-text, an electronic format may be of more use to you and if you enjoy colored pens and fun notebooks, then a hard copy journal may be better for you. Then, there are different modes of journaling such as utilizing journal prompts, bullet journaling, and freewriting. Freewriting is usually the easiest and most simple and can be done until you have nothing else to write or can be set up for you to write for a certain amount of time or pages. One of the benefits of journaling is its low-pressure nature and flexibility so that you can find what feels best for you.
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard to make the time to slow down and take a break. Many people, consciously and unconsciously, think of rest as being lazy and not a vital part of our well-being. While journaling is not a time of pure rest, it is a time when we are intentionally stopping and reflecting on our lives. Journaling can not only help you clarify your thoughts and feelings, but it also helps you to get to know yourself better. Journaling has also been shown to reduce stress and promote happiness.
So, whether it is a pen and paper or a keyboard in front of you, journaling can be an important tool in your well-being toolbox. If you are struggling with stress, feeling lost or out of touch with yourself, or find yourself feeling anxious or depressed, there are so many ways that journaling can help and be applied. Even if you miss or skip a time you had planned to journal, you can just try again another time. Ultimately, journaling is what you make it and what you need it to be and there is no way to fail at journaling, so you have nothing to lose.
