There are many benefits of journaling, whether it be a diary, weblog, or guided journal. It’s even regarded as a form of therapy: “expressive writing” where 15-20 minutes on 3-5 occasions can aid healing from traumatic, stressful or emotional events. Here are some benefits of journaling:
- Stress Relief: Write about incidents, emotions, or concerns that have challenged you. A guided journal can assist here, with prompts, tools and motivations for exploring an issue. Or for relationships you could journal a letter “to” the person before you have to face them, to discover the best way forward.
- Clarity, Reflection and Growth: Take time out, just you and your ponderings. Get to know yourself better. Write about your values, beliefs or feelings, and how they may have changed over time.
- Memories: Records of significant events in our lives, or even our day to day discoveries and activities, can be great to read back on over the years. And it’s not always just about you, but your family, friends, your town, school, hobbies, work experiences.
- Creativity: Self expression through creative choices of words, colourful descriptions, fantasies, or even drawings, pictures, photos or symbols, can inspire and motivate you to explore your individuality, self expression, expand your way of thinking, or affirm your goal path.
- No Judgement, No Rules: Journals are so personal; it’s important they be without judgement. Let go! Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, neatness, or subject matter. Think of your journal as a confidant, a best friend listening to you with a kind heart and open mind.
Journaling is a loving, healing process, a path you take in kindness and self-care. Keep your journal handy, use your favourite pen, and let your journaling help you gain a stronger sense of self – mind, body and spirit.
