The Joys of journaling

I was only 10 years old

when I picked up a pen and wrote in my first journal. It was a light shade of furry turquoise with a big shimmery letter “J” on the front. I kept it hidden in my shoebox. There aren’t many hiding spots when you’re sharing a room.

I don’t remember much of me at that time in my life but I know I loved writing. I had a mix of feelings at that age and the only thing I felt comfortable doing was letting it out on the page.

I wrote my very first poem in there. A terrible one, I might add but, I had a vision. After just a few quick entries, I put down the pen. It wasn’t until a few years ago actually that I found my love for journaling again.

Through breakdowns to breakthroughs I was able to understand myself and the way I think. I learned patterns, behaviors, and attitudes of myself from a different perspective. I saw myself in many lights. Some of them dark, but still, I saw myself grow. Who knew writing down your thoughts can be so helpful?

And let’s not forget about the benefits! I started journaling because I had so much to say. I didn’t think it’d impact my life the way it has. In a world that’s growing more paperless and digital by the day, I wonder how many people are putting pen to paper and actually writing. On average we have about 60,000 thoughts per day. It’s crazy to think that some people keep them trapped inside and to themselves.

The act of writing your goals down can help hold yourself accountable and serve as a reminder for what you want. I like to reread my journal from time to time to see what I wrote down versus what I accomplished. I’m always astounded by what’s in my head. It’s inspiring and motivating seeing yourself progress on paper especially if it doesn’t always feel like that.

I’m a pessimist and have a flare for the dramatics, so when I look back at my journal I’m able to reflect on my emotions in a lighter and more positive perspective. I’m able to see the pain, thoughts, and feelings clear in my writing. When you’re opening up to yourself, there isn’t much holding you back. The fear of judgment is absent and none of it needs to make any sense. When I’d speak to my clients about journaling they’d say the lack of time and ideas to write would be their biggest challenge. With 24 hours in a day, surely there is time for a 10 minute brain dump.

My challenge for you is to find 10 minutes in your busy day to free your mind of your thoughts.

Journaling doesn’t have to follow any prompt, scheme, or style. It’s yours to create or destroy it however you want. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else but you. I can’t tell you the amount of entries I have that make me laugh because of the inside jokes I have with myself. It’s freeing. Brain dumping is writing down your thoughts as they come. For my friends with anxiety, this can help with some of those frightening, irrational, and impulsive fears. Pick up the pen and just write. If that seems difficult, try writing words that coincide with the letters of the alphabet.

Brain dumping ex: Cheese, bread, money, ideas

Alphabetical ex: apples, bananas, cheers, dancing

At first, it might not look like much, but when you take a step back, keep journaling and learn yourself better, you might just realize one day it says,

“I hope I can be healthy, create ideas, and be successful.”

Play with your words, I promise it’s a lot of fun. It’s the beginning of a new year and new chances to explore your mind. Let’s start the year off, write.