I always get given notebooks and journals from friends and family members at Christmas, a foolproof present for an English student who is known to have an unhealthy obsession with stationary. Most are too pretty to actually use and get put away on the shelf for the forseeable future, unable to topple the affection I have for my annual moleskine journal.
I’ve been keeping journals since I was around twelve years old, and can’t imagine my life without one. When I was younger I used to write in it every single day, but now life gets in the way too much and I tend to write every few days. I don’t sit down with an agenda, instead I just get down whatever is floating around in my head at the time. I can only write on blank paper too, because my curly handwriting sprawls out everywhere. Feeling stressed out? Write about it. Feeling super positive about something? Write about it.
Getting into the habit of writing regularly has so many benefits, even if it’s not a specific part of your degree. It can be hard at first if you’ve never done it before, but can be equally as difficult if you’re only used to writing in an academic (rather than emotional) context. Here are some ways journalling could benefit you:
1. You’ll get to know yourself more.
Writing can be as simple as taking ten minutes to reflect on what you’ve been up to that day, and to check in with how you’re feeling. As students we tend to trudge through each day passively, waiting for the week to be over already. Instead, reflection encourages mindfulness on a personal level, so that the days don’t start passing without you even noticing.
2. Your mental health could improve.
One of the key processes involved in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is identifying the current stressors in your life, with the aim of breaking down the negative thought patterns and cycles that are affecting you. So writing down what’s happened that day can have a therapeutic impact, replicating CBT by acknowledging what needs changing or improving for the benefit of your overall mental health.
3. You can be as creative as you want!
Usually when people hear the word ‘journal’ they think of pages full of sentences and paragraphs, but really journalling can be as unconventional as you want. The possibilities for a blank piece of paper are endless, and if words aren’t really your thing then fill it with doodles and pictures. ‘Bullet journalling’ in particular has become really popular recently, the concept explained fully in this article. Your bullet journal can consist of your schedule, to-do lists, and goals per week, month or even year. You do you!
4. You’ll get better at writing.
It goes without saying, but writing on a regular basis really improves your writing style. Eventually, when you go to pick up your favourite pen, you’ll feel comfortable about how you’re going to start off and what tone you’re going to adapt. You’ll find your own flow and it will feel great. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stay in your writing comfort zone forever – experimenting with your voice on a page stretches your writing skills even further!
5. You’ll be creating a lifetime keepsake.
When you’re old and grey, and you’re memory is getting a little foggy, a journal or diary from when you were younger is the perfect way to reconnect with your former self. You may not realise it now, but something as trivial as writing what you ate for breakfast one morning could be of interest to future you!