Why Journaling Is Exactly What You Need

I’ll be honest with you, I actually HATE journaling. Okay, that was dramatic. What I mean by that, is that I normally never look forward to journaling. I seem to always put it off but when I am done I am so glad I did it. It is basically the same relationship I have with exercising, can you relate? But, you already knew that great and rewarding habits always take extra effort.

Last week, after the 3-month break I accidentally took from journaling, I realized just how much journaling really does. If your excuse to avoid journaling is “I’m just too busy” you are exactly the kind of person who needs journaling.

Each of us can journal in different ways. You may journal daily, weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly - how often you do doesn't matter as much as long as it is often. Journaling needs to be something we intentionally plan because the benefits are priceless. Just like exercising, journaling can become something you do to maintain mental and emotional balance. It is a practice that takes time to personalize to fit your lifestyle.

You may also choose to journal about certain topics like what’s going on in your life, a prayer journal, a creative journal, a business journal, or a mixture of everything. The more your journal the more you will recognize your tendencies and what helps you declutter your brain. Don’t feel pressure to keep your journal with a certain look or style (unless that’s what helps you) but allow it to be a place you can relax. So whether you are a college student, a mom, teacher, business owner, or all of the above- here is how journaling can help YOU:

evaluate

Journaling will allow you to evaluate how things are going. As you write, you will have to think about “what has happened, or what is happening.” This exercise will allow you to see the bigger picture and get a feel for your growth in any area of your life. Journaling is an informal and creative way to keep track of what is going on in your life.

clear your mind

Getting all your thoughts and ideas on paper can alleviate mental clutter. Mental clutter may produce anxiety and stress, especially if you lead a very busy life. Until your ideas are written on paper you may unconsciously feel like you are solely relying on your memory so your brain is going over the same ideas and thoughts over and over again…which is totally exhausting!

organize your thoughts

If you are anything like me, your brain is coming up with new ideas all day, and every day- and this is especially true if you wear many hats. The best thing you can do is to write down your thoughts on paper. This will allow you to organize and prioritize your thoughts so that you can decide what you will do with them.

gratitude

This is my favorite part about journaling. As you reflect on what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen, you will find that there are many things in your life you are grateful and thankful for. Though you may run into rough patches and some ups & downs, journaling has a way to show you that life is also full of good things.

slow down

This one wasn’t as obvious to me until recently. I realized that one of the reasons why I don’t always like journaling is because it makes me slow down (Grrr!). I love busy and I am always hopping from one thing to the other. Journaling forces me to sit down, think, write, and focus. It requires a level of silence and time with myself that I am not accustomed to but that I know my body and mind desperately need.

Whether you are an expert and avid journaler or not, journaling has a benefit for all of us in this busy world. So, yeah journal away, and journal your way!

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Disclaimer

Welcome to A Swell Space! I'm sharing what I've learned through my own experiences and research. I'm not a doctor, therapist, or your professional expert, so please don't take my content as professional advice. Always check with a healthcare provider or other professional before making important decisions about your health, finances, or life.

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