Do you remember trying to unlock your Password Journal as a kid, and failing miserably? Did you write in little notebooks about your primary school drama and scatter them around your childhood bedroom, only to rediscover them now and cringe?
It turns out, journaling isn’t just for documenting your year 6 troubles!
Journaling has been found to be extremely beneficial for your mental health, manifesting your dream future, and problem solving skills.
Beyond a creative writing outlet, journaling has a host of benefits just waiting to be unlocked - ready to dive in?
Enhanced Self-Awareness
Regular journaling can help you gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
By putting pen to paper, you can reflect on your experiences, identify patterns, and gain insights into your own strengths and weaknesses, greatly contributing to your personal growth.
Emotion tracking, or emotional journaling, is used in some Cognitive Behaviour Therapies to help people identify emotional patterns and triggers, and is easily accessible.
Apps such as DailyBean and Daylio are available to download and start journaling - this is great if you’re not big on writing!
Emotional Release and Stress Reduction
Writing in a journal can provide a safe space to express and release emotions. The act of putting your feelings into words can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.
It allows you to unload your thoughts and process challenging emotions, providing a sense of relief and emotional well-being.
By writing down your experiences, you may find that you are able to compartmentalise certain memories.
For example, once the experience is written down on paper and stored away, or even destroyed, you may find it easier to let go, or move on from that experience.
Problem Solving and Clarity
Through journaling, you can explore and analyse various situations or problems you encounter.
Writing can help to organise your thoughts and provide a different perspective, making it easier to find solutions or gain clarity on complex issues.
This is similar to having someone else read a question out loud to you, or having someone else explain a concept you previously struggled with.
As you articulate your thoughts or worries in a coherent manner, you may find that that situation wasn’t as embarrassing as you thought, or you’d missed a key element in something you hadn’t seen previously.
Personal Growth and Goal Setting
Journaling supports personal growth by fostering self-reflection and introspection. By documenting your experiences, aspirations, and progress, you can track your personal growth journey.
Journaling also aids in setting and achieving goals, as it helps clarify intentions, identify obstacles and celebrate successes along the way.
Writing down and tracking your goals and achievements works similarly to manifesting. As you continually remind yourself of your ambitions and drive, you become more passionate and likely to achieve these goals.
Moreover, keeping track of your progress toward your goals can be highly motivating, and great for boosting self-esteem and feelings of productivity.
Improved Emotional Resilience
Engaging in regular journaling practices has been linked to increased emotional resilience.
By examining past challenges and how you've overcome them, you can build confidence in your ability to navigate future difficulties. Journaling acts as a reminder of your inner strength and resourcefulness. You’ve got this!
You have survived 100% of your worst days so far.
How can I Journal?
Journaling is a powerful practice that offers numerous benefits for reflection and emotional well-being. By incorporating journaling into your routine, you can experience the transformative power of writing for your overall well-being.
You don’t need to go out and buy fancy journals! For extra privacy, you can use mood tracking apps, online journals, even a private Instagram account! Or, the classic notes app.
The important thing is not how you journal, but why, and if you feel the benefits.
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