Why Journaling is Important

How Does Journaling Help

I could give you the scientific research behind why journaling is great for your mental health, but I think I’d rather spare you the statistics and get right to the point. Journaling does help. When I say help, I don’t mean it will cure your anxiety or depression, but it can relieve some of those unwanted emotions.

Oftentimes, we want to talk about our conflicts and problems without dealing with the opinions and thoughts of others. Journaling is similar to a one-sided conversation where there is zero judgement.

In my experience, journaling has helped me a lot in dealing with conflicts that I find are too personal to discuss with others. This form of self-therapy has helped me relieve myself of grudges, anxieties, and self-hating thoughts. The action of writing out your thoughts opens your mind to thinking more creatively which often has provided me with new outlooks on troubling matters.

Get Creative

There are no rules in journaling. The beauty in journaling is that there is no “recommended” format. It’s adaptable. You can choose how often you want to write and how much you want to write. I know people who opt to write only one sentence per day whereas others prefer to write novels each week. Part of the process comes from discovering which form suits you.

There are various types of journals. Bullet journaling has become a popular style. Those who are more artistic may appreciate this form of journaling. Bullet journaling works by allowing the journalist to create an artistic format specific to them for expressing their emotions. This may include mood grids, habit trackers, or just doodles. Another popular style includes photo journaling. Instead of using words to capture the day, this style tells emotion through photographs.

Tips for Getting Started

Be consistent. Results will only appear once journaling has become part of your routine. The more often you journal, the more open you become when writing entries. It takes a while to let yourself truly open up to the blank pages. Start out by setting aside a specific time of the day to journal. I prefer journaling in the night because it allows me to go to sleep without any negative energy or thoughts. Others prefer to journal in the morning to start off their day on a positive note.

Listen to Music. Music often allows us to open up our minds and think more freely. Finding a good playlist that transforms your surroundings can dispel any distractions and set the mood for effective journaling.

If you are having a hard time figuring out what to write, try following journaling prompts for inspiration. Below I have attached a 20-day journaling sheet with a variety of prompts to choose from. You do not need to follow the order I have provided.

20-Day-Journal-Prompts.pdf

Download PDF • 1.01MB

If you are like me and you are extremely busy, try experimenting with journaling apps. While they are not as effective, they are a great alternative for quick write-ups that can be done within five minutes. I recommend Stoic, Reflectly, or Jour. Jour and Reflectly are your basic journaling apps whereas Stoic is a philosophy-based journaling app. All three are great for beginners as they focus heavily on self-discovery and guided practice.