Journaling Helped Me in These 5 Ways

If you’re like me you probably have kept a journal at some point in your life.

I started out with a cute little journal dating back to 2001 (which I still have)

No lie, I was FIVE years old when I started that journal.

Obviously there wasn’t much substance in those journal entries, but I’ve always loved writing down my thoughts.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to do this!

On the other hand, maybe you’ve never had a journal before and you want to step into your Stefan or Elena era (if you watch TVD, hi new bestie.)

You might be wondering how to start, what to write, and if it will really do anything for you.

Don’t worry – you can start anywhere, and write about whatever you feel. It may not seem like it at first, but journaling has the power to make a significant impact if you let it.

You don’t need to invest money, or use much of your time, but the intention you put behind it makes a difference.

Journaling helped me in these 5 ways that you can find down below, so keep reading if you want to know how it can help you too!

1. Increases self-awareness:

Journaling allows you to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which can help you better understand yourself and your reactions to different situations.

Journaling is a reflection process. It gives you insight that you didn’t even know you were missing. No matter your age there will always be something new to find out about yourself. I’m all for growth, and for that to happen I need to know myself better.

Likes, dislikes, triggers, etc.

2. Reduces stress and anxiety:

Writing down your worries and concerns can help you process and release negative emotions, leading to improved mental health and lower stress levels.

It’s like the exercise when you type an email to your boss expressing how you actually feel but you don’t send it.

Sometimes the release is what our body needs to calm down. (just make sure you don’t actually send it!) Purging negative emotions is necessary because If you don’t it just builds up inside you.

These feelings find their way out eventually, and if you don’t handle it effectively odds are its going to come up in ugly ways. I’m sure we all know someone who keeps everything in, and they carry so much anger because of it.

I don’t want that for you.

3. Boosts creativity:

Journaling can help you tap into your creativity by providing a space to explore new ideas, brainstorm, and experiment with different writing styles.

Journaling is a freeing experience. You don’t have to listen to anybody else, answer to anyone, you can do whatever you want.

It’s a safe space where you can try new things, mess up, and learn at your own pace.

4. Enhances problem-solving skills:

Writing out your problems and potential solutions can help you organize your thoughts and come up with more effective solutions. Writing your problems down is super helpful.

For me its necessary. My mind is a jumbled mess sometimes, but I’ve always been able to communicate better on paper.

Writing it out forces you to slow down, and because you’re approaching it while calm those thoughts become more clear.

5. Improves memory and cognitive function:

Regular journaling has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function, as well as enhance overall mental well-being.

I am no mental health specialist.

What I do know is journaling has helped me reach mental clarity significantly which has affected other areas in my life very positively.

If you’re up for a challenge I highly recommend a 5 year journal.

(I received mine as a gift but you can find one at Barnes and Noble, or Amazon!)

From beginning of 2018 to end of 2022 I wrote in my journal every day.

I tried to, at least. Five years is a long time so a few days here and there were missed.

Don’t stress over the length, just focus on what you want to write about.

A lot of my entries were a recap of the day, and others I listed what I was grateful for. It can be whatever you want.

You’ll be blown away by how fast five years go by.

To put things in perspective –

I started journaling during my last semester at College in 2018- celebrating my 6 year anniversary with my now husband. The end of my journal was the two of us celebrating 11 years together with our 4 month old son.

Life comes at you fast.

Takeaway

Journaling is a hobby you can start today. Literally right now if you want to.

It helps:

• reduce stress and anxiety

• boosts creativity

• increases self-awareness

• improves memory and cognitive functioning

• enhances problem-solving skills

I wanted to share with you all the top 5 reasons journaling changed my life to hopefully inspire you to try it out, or start back up again!