10 Benefits of Journaling and 5 Easy Ways You Can Start Today!
I have talked a lot about my experience journaling on social media and how much it has helped me feel like my best self. I have less anxiety, greater clarity, I am so much more mindful than ever before. Also, due to practicing gratitude writing daily, I am so grateful for simply existing. Recently, in response to a prompted question I shared on instagram, I had a lot of people reach out to me saying they want to journal but don’t know where to start. People have asked me for links or “how to” tips… and, well to be honest, I have never read any articles about the topic. I just have my first hand experience, which has been extremely successful and rewarding. So I decided to dig in for some research to find some helpful information, along with my own tips to share with you lovely angels!
So you want to journal but you aren’t sure where, when, or how to start? Like what do people even write about anyway? Well I am going to nerd out over here and tell you ALL about some useful tips I have about how to get started and stay motivated to keep with it and what some of the benefits of journaling/writing therapy are! Let’s get to it!
Okay so what can you do to get started?
FREEWRITE!!!
What is Free-writing, you might be wondering? I’m glad you asked! According to the trusty wikipedia definition: Free-writing is a technique in which a person writes continually for a set period of time without worrying about rhetorical concerns or conventions and mechanics, sometimes working from a specific prompt. So, to sum that up, it is basically just writing in a stream of consciousness. Not meant to worry about grammar, punctuation, sentence flow or structure. Don’t worry about if it makes sense, just keep the pen to paper for a set amount of time.
Why is this important and necessary? Great question! If you are not used to writing regularly, which a lot of people aren’t unless you’re in school or what you do for a living involves frequent writing, think about writing as a skill you need to hone. It’s like if you haven’t exercised or practiced a sport, or any other skill, in a while, you just have to keep practicing it for a while until you’re back in that groove. Train your attention span and muscle memory to get used to the feeling of putting pen to paper and organizing your thoughts.
Physically write something every single day.
Creating a new habit can be difficult. What better way to build this habit than to practice every day?! I recommend setting aside at least 10 minutes every morning or evening before bed and devote that time to writing. Write something even if you’re short on time and can just write a paragraph (I’ve been there, trust me! Sometimes we got a lot going on!). It’s all about committing the time and routine to make this a habit.
Bring a pen and your journal with you everywhere you go!!
Sometimes you may have ideas or think of something you really want to vent about, process, or congratulate yourself for but you don’t want to share it with the world yet. This is another great reason to journal and why I take mine everywhere with me. It’s been so beneficial. Also sometimes you may catch some down time while you’re out and about or maybe at work and can use that time to get your daily writing in!
Let go of all expectations.
If you are worried you’re going to do this wrong, I’m going to kindly stop you right there. You are an amazing and incredible being. There is no wrong answer to this. Doing this is quite literally for you and no one else. Your ego may try to tell you a different story about how it has to be done a certain way, but I challenge you to ignore that voice. This is a fun practice that benefits YOU! Throw the pressure and expectations away! Have fun with it.
Practice writing something happy/positive and 3 things you’re grateful for everyday.
I think it’s an easy habit to fall into using journaling as a way to vent or complain, and while I truly believe however you utilize it will be beneficial, I do think practicing gratitude, mindfulness, and celebrating all the little or big daily successes are so important. Write down things you’re thankful for everyday. Think about the things around you and in your life in very specific detail (remember, we are aiming to practice mindfulness). Gratitude writing has made me a genuinely happier person. So much so, even my therapist, family, and friends have noticed.
So now you’re journaling… but why? What are the benefits? You may want to know how this is helping you!
Here are 10 benefits of journaling, according to this HuffPost article:
Stretching your IQ
Evoking mindfulness (hey now, that’s what I’m screaming!)
Achieving goals
Emotional intelligence (YES!)
Boosting memory and comprehension
Strengthen your self-discipline
Improve communication skills
Healing (<3)
Spark your creativity
Self-confidence
These ten things were pretty similar to everything else I found when looking up this topic. Journaling is one of my top suggestions if you are wanting to do self work and step into a healing/self-love journey. I think the idea of journaling might seem a tad daunting to some people, due to the ego telling us to be intimidated by our own thoughts and putting them to paper. But at the end of the day, keep in mind you are doing this for YOU. You most certainly do not have to do this type of work. You get to decide if this is a healing path you want to go down. But as I like to say, self work is the best work and you can quite literally only benefit from this practice.
Remember, the process is truly what this is about. Expanding our conscious awareness. Once we are more aware, we can start living for our true self. Eliminate the ego self. This is where my truest happiness has been found.
I encourage you to go to a coffee shop or somewhere cozy, pick up a pen and start your journey. All my love to you beauties!
xx, Elizabeth