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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Maine chapter.

With a pen and my mind, I feel like anything is possible. You let your mind run free and allow yourself to just write. Don’t turn back to correct words or try to make your handwriting pretty and perfect. Write about your day and maybe draw some fun doodles on the side; maybe a sun or a heart. Journaling is something a lot of people make a goal to do but never actually get around to. I’m definitely one of them. 

I like to write about my day or something that has been on my mind that I really haven’t been able to talk about. To me, journaling is like a vent session with your best friend, except in this case your best friend is your journal. You are able to get things off of your chest and say things without thinking about what someone will say or how they will react. When I journal I am able to swear as much as I want and say things that I’m afraid of saying out loud.

People say that you will get all clogged up and feel bad if you don’t get your thoughts out. That you actually are making yourself feel worse if you aren’t speaking your mind. Sometimes you need to not be afraid of what someone will say if you believe in it so much. I’m a people pleaser so I know what it’s like to be afraid of how someone will react or if how you’re saying something will make them feel negative feelings. Then, one day I just had to tell myself it was okay. It was okay to let my opinions and feelings out even if it was just on paper. 

Turning up your favorite music for whatever your mood may be and putting on your comfy clothes to curl up in bed with a journal makes the process easier. It makes the thoughts come easy and makes your pen glide across the paper. Even if you just try it, writing and journaling, you will feel a difference in yourself, relief almost.

Journaling has formed me into a new and better person. I have become more calm and happy being able to write. Writing is one of my biggest passions which also makes this a lot easier but just because some people don’t like writing doesn’t mean that it won’t help. Some things change and maybe that’s good.

Emma Graham

U Maine '23

A senior communication major passionate about sharing advice about all things college.