Journaling can be a great outlet for many people to express themselves and to be able to let their thoughts and feelings flow. It’s a way of being in tune with your emotions and validating them privately. For me, journaling has always been a way to not only communicate what I am feeling, but it also serves as a documentation of my life from 3 years ago to where I am now. Journaling can be many things; it can be a therapeutic coping mechanism or a way for you to be creative. I chose both.
My journey into journaling
I started my first journal 5 years ago after deciding that I wanted to be able to go back and relive moments of my life through my writing. Journaling for me started out as using a diary, but soon that became tedious and monotonous, so I started collecting miscellaneous items from my day to add to my journal. Think receipts, stickers, packaging, etc. Then freshman year of high school happened, and journaling became a way for me to express my feelings and write terrible, angst-filled poems about my life (which will never see the light of day.) Now, journaling for me is all of these things. Sometimes I write about my day, sometimes I write my feelings out, and yes, I still write my terrible poems too. The point is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Journaling is a healthy and accessible method of self-expression. You don’t have to have the most expensive fancy looking journal or pens; you can even write out your thoughts in your notes app- it can be that simple.
How journaling helped me
Journaling helped me overcome many trials and tribulations in my life by offering me a judgement-free zone where I’m not afraid to say how I feel. From bad days to good ones, I journaled. Writing in my journal was a ritual for me; every couple of nights, I knew there was something I had to do. With journaling it seemed like I always had someone there to listen to me, someone I didn’t feel I was burdening with my feelings. In journaling, I was honest with myself. There was no need to sugarcoat anything. Writing in my journal helped me work through adversities, which is why I believe that everyone should journal at least once in their life. It’s crazy to look back and read old pages and to see who I was before versus who I am now. It serves as an everyday reminder to myself of how far I’ve truly come.
Ways you can journal
Art journaling:
Art journaling is a great way for the artistically-inclined to be able to express themselves. Think of art journaling as a visual diary. It’s a mix of record keeping and being creative. You still record your thoughts and emotions, but through art.
Venting journaling:
A venting journal is a way for you to write without worrying about grammar or penmanship. It’s the process of writing your heart out and letting everything flow onto the paper. It’s a great way to let any negative, built up feelings go.
Meditation/Dream journaling:
Dream journaling can be a great way for you to keep track of your dreams and be in contact with your subconscious thoughts and feelings through writing. You can also journal first thing in the morning as a method of meditation and as a way to set your intentions for the day.
Remember, journaling doesn’t have to be this difficult thing; it’s supposed to be easy and relaxing. Maybe start by writing in your notes app and see how you like it!