Every human needs a way to express their Self. Journaling is one of the most beautiful ways to do so. Let's explore, through this article, the most prominent reasons for journaling.
Before that, let's understand what exactly a journal is.
A journal is a private space containing written records of your thoughts, expressions, day to day reflections. Sometimes, the author can also choose to curate or document journals for public consumption.
There are numerous topics on which you can journal based on your preferences and creativity. The journal can be a habit tracker, photo book, travel records, or dream documentation. Based on your topics, you can choose a physical notebook, a spiral notebook or digital platforms.
Reasons you should journal
- Improves Emotional Health
I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.
– Oscar Wilde
In a busy and fast-paced world, we often struggle with our emotions. Loneliness, anxiety, suffering and depression are becoming common nowadays. Most of the time, the reason behind it is unresolved emotions.
A journal where you can keep track of your emotions will help in expressing them in a healthy way. It will make you feel better. The best thing that happens is that you do not go on living your daily life carrying the baggage of these unexpressed emotions. You do not get angry or irritated unnecessarily because of this. Your journal is a safe space to vomit it out.
- Enhances Physical Health
When you can regulate your emotions, it will automatically be reflected in your physical health. You will not binge eat. Your emotions will not control your eating patterns. You will be able to understand your emotional patterns and bad habits related to them once you can write them down in a journal.
You must have heard that often a healthy body is a healthy mind. They are both interconnected. So once you have improved your emotional health, it is bound to make your physical health better than before.
- Personal Reflections
A journal is a private documentation that means it is safe, confidential, far from judgements, criticism and is purely truthful and honest. It is a clear mirror of your inner world. A written record of your personal and intimate thoughts and feelings.
This can be a tool for self-exploration, self-discovery and self-awareness. The things that you keep avoiding or running away from, you can confront and overcome them here in your personal space.
- Lessons from Life
Writing regularly about your daily experiences can become a source of learning, inspiration and a feeling of belonging. The old journal entries can not only give you a sip of nostalgia but also be
helpful in tracking your growth and progress.
- Creativity and Meaning
There are times when we feel lost and frustrated. Journaling is a productive way to connect to your creativity and also lead a meaningful life. Journal is a journey of human growth and life. I am very sure that when you look back at your journal after a long time, you will feel like rowing the boat of life once again.
- Gratitude
A lot of research and surveys have shown that the feeling of gratitude enhances longevity. A gratitude journal or simply journaling helps in boosting the mood in a positive way, making you feel more grateful. Gratitude in itself is a journey, but keeping a journal can still help show you the path towards gratitude.
- Insights and Clarity
Journal is a medium to filter out clarity and insights from your mental diet. In your day-to-day life, you consume so much junk, whether it's digital content or personal information. Journaling can help in gaining distinction between them. In today's time, it's very easy to get mental fog and confusion, but writing daily thoughts gives clarity.
- Sleep like a Baby
Who doesn't want better sleep?
Decluttering mental garbage, including worries, stressful thoughts, reduces tension, giving the mind permission to relax. Journaling regularly before going to bed enhances the quality of sleep.
According to scientific studies, an adult (18 to 64 years of age) requires an average of 7-9 hours of undisturbed sleep. But during the day, if you are going through stress and negative thoughts definitely it is definitely going to make you restless during sleep. Journaling reallocates these thoughts from your mind, making you more relaxed in your skin.
- Keeping Your Mind at Rest
If asked to you separately to take out time for yourself. It could be a little difficult. But as a productive activity of journaling, it gives you a reason to spend quality time with yourself. A little form of self-respect and self-love. You are stepping up to become your best friend first. It also breaks the pattern or the loop of overthinking and mindless scrolling. This enhances cognitive functions and memory power.
Conclusion: Closing Thoughts
The article has a sole purpose of bringing you closer towards self-reflection through a journal, helping you unwind your mind. Writing, picturing, scribbling, sketching and drawing your inner conscience in your journal is the best way to start.
Don't limit yourself by thinking that journaling is only about writing. It's your space to experiment. Paste photographs, stamps, stickers, jot down your recipes, and soon you will create a close relationship with your journal, pouring out your inner world, and that's the motive. Channelling your inner filth through a creative way. So explore your creativity, do your shadow work, pen down your thoughts or paint your art in your safe and happy place.