Anyone can benefit from journaling. I began journaling last fall towards the beginning of my freshman year, and since then, I have not been able to stop. I had always wanted to start journaling but found no motivation to take the first steps. It was my aunt who gifted me a journal for my graduation that made me realize there was no better time than the present.
I started small by writing down what happened in my day, who I met, and what I saw. As the weeks went on I began to expand on my thoughts and even dabbled in manifestation. I realized that by writing down what I was feeling and experiencing, I was able to be fully present.
With that being said, here are a few reasons you should start journaling:
Something to Look Back On
I didn’t realize it in the moment, but the first couple weeks of college were not as plain and simple as I would have hoped. Looking back at those days, I can feel the sadness in my entries and I am able to see it through my own eyes and heart.
Not all were bad though, one of my favorite entries details the day I met one of my best friends. It was the last day before the first football game and my roommate and I had unsuccessfully made friends throughout the week and were planning on going to the game solo.
It wasn’t until I sat next to my future friend Erin in my Econ class and decided to ask about the homework, that I knew college wasn’t so terrible. Watching my growth through the next couple weeks and months is something I am truly grateful I documented. My first game, my first friends, my roommate; they are all things I know I will be reading about for years to come.
A Place for Reflection
I wouldn’t suggest using your journal as a place to simply rant, but it is an excellent outlet to process your grievances. I, like anyone else, have my high and low points in life and my journal has been the place I have documented them; both the good and the bad.
Something about writing your thoughts down on paper makes the emotions feel genuine. Similar to my last point, you are able to work through your thought process and look back on how you dealt with issues of the past to see how to reconcile similar issues in the future. The best part is that no one else will read it. You have full liberty to express yourself in any way you see fit. It’s the perfect therapist.
Creates a Routine
In college, I am constantly bombarded by homework, club meetings, and social activities, which can become very overwhelming. When I first started my journal I promised myself I would do entries a couple times a week.
As the months went on, I found myself journaling every single night. It became the perfect way to end my stressful days by pouring all my emotions out on the page. I created a safe environment and a happy place to start fresh for the next day.
No matter when you journal or where, make sure you feel comfortable and safe to fully express yourself on the page, and make a note to be consistent. The more you journal, the easier it gets!
An Outlet for Creativity
Writing and art are ways I love to express my creativity. Although I am not the best artist, I found that drawing in my journal gave me so much joy. I even went as far as to paint my journal covers.
I thought writing in something that truly represented me would make the process feel more comfortable. The journal on the left is from last year in which I chose to do a star theme, and the one on the right is this year’s journal which I decided I wanted to give a “new horizons” theme. Even if you simply use different colored pens in each entry, a little bit of color can brighten up any day.
With the uncertain times we are in, a journal is the perfect way to transfer all your feelings onto the page. Who knows, maybe you will manifest some good vibes for this school year!