Warning: Journaling may need you to express your feelings, doodle and is for the creative and artistic.
Summer, summer, summer. A two month break that we spend 10 months looking forward to each year. Yet, when we get those two months, we generally tend to spend most of that time with ourselves. So, why not discover who we are? A good friend of mine recently introduced me to this journaling craze when I was venting to her. Of course, she was a good friend and listened to me, but she also noticed the amount of emotions, ideas and thoughts I had bottled inside me. She suggested journaling as a stress-alleviating method that can also help get my creativity and artsy juices flowing and get rid of the potential boredom factor I may encounter through the summer.
As I looked into journaling and began, I realized that it’s not just a diary to vent the way you feel, but a safe place to explore your mind and grow as an individual. A place to express your ideas, opinions, and even judgement without harming anyone else. There are multiple reasons of keeping a journal, each including a different purpose, these are some of the different types of journals: artistic, gratitude, travel, dreams, reading, project, planning, creativity, etc.
The journal I began about two weeks ago includes a bit here and there from each of the different types listed above and more. As a result of my new found pass time, I came up with seven benefits to journaling:
1. Finding inner peace and alleviating stress– It’s better to have it all written out in words then a fist through a wall. Seriously.
2. Record, React and Improve– By recording the events that have taken place within your life, your ability to measure and appreciate the change you’ve gone through as an individual is easier to see. You are able to see your weaknesses and reflect upon the mistakes you made, resulting in a new and improved you!
3. Redefine yourself– Through journaling, you are able to clearly see and state your beliefs, ideals and values. Therefore, you begin to appreciate the little things about you. For example, when flipping through your journal pages, you may feel a unique sense of accomplishment for the amount of work and effort you put into them. You cultivate open mindedness and learn how you wanted to be treated and reciprocate it to others.
4. Creativity and artistic juices get flowing!– You get to doodle in a very appropriate place, who doesn’t love to doodle?! You can even make up your own words, it’s YOUR journal, for YOURSELF, there’s not going to be any grammar police showing up (I promise).
5. Memories, Experiences & Growth– By recording events and stories that have taken place within your life, you get to keep things such as history, memories, and experiences alive. You continue to grow by reflecting on these valuable things that may be worth more later on.
6. Tune into your spirituality– How does journaling help this? By reflecting on your beliefs and values you are consistently getting closer to your soul and you tend to tune into your spiritual and moral compass. You get to confess and reconcile in a safe place.
7. Gratitude– You become more aware of the little things around you and enjoy them more!
These are a minimal amount of reasons why journaling is very healthy and positive! Hopefully you are able to find it within yourself to begin tracking your extraordinary life.
