My journey with journaling started in high school, but I really got into it during my A-Levels. For me, it’s one of the simplest ways of improving my personal mental health and emotional balance. Journalling is when you write about anything on your mind and I find that writing them down allows you to identify your thoughts, gain clarity and personal understanding. Reflecting on your life can help you realise how you process your negative emotions and this benefits your overall productivity too!
You don’t have to journal every day to reap the rewards for your mental health. For example, I find it very helpful to write about my thoughts when I feel overwhelmed. I suggest starting with weekly entries before you start your day or before you sleep and go from there.
Journalling can also help you track your mood and habits such as:
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The amount of daily exercise
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Finances/monthly budget
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Water intake
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How long you have read for
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Meditation
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How many hours of sleep
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People you talk to and spend time with
In addition, here are some journal prompts to help you get started:
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What are three things you can start doing that will benefit your mental health?
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What unhealthy coping mechanisms do you use and how can these be replaced?
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Write down the 3-5 most important things you need to get done this week.
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Write down ways you can improve your morning and night routine.
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Gratitude – focus on this word; what does it mean to you?
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Write down six goals for the future.
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Describe what you like most about yourself and what you would like to develop.
In summary, journaling can be a great way to improve your mental health but it is important you don’t force yourself to write every day – be flexible. Once you acknowledge your thoughts and feelings, you can decide how you want to respond to it. Most importantly, make it something you enjoy!