I recently was given a journal as a gift, and it is now something that I carry with me everywhere. I write down my thoughts, questions to ponder, things I need to get done, and draw various doodles. My journal has become a way for me to express myself, and it helps me to relieve anxiety through writing. While journaling may be something brand new for you, here are four reasons why you should journal too.
1. Helps relieve anxiety and stress
Journaling is a very calming activity that can help in a stressful situation. You can write down things that you are worried about and put your thoughts and feelings on paper. We all have times where we keep our anxiety and emotions in for too long, and journaling can help you avoid that. It is a mechanism for releasing stress in a healthy way.
2. Gives you someone to talk to
We all have things in our lives that we want to keep to ourselves, but we also want to tell someone our feelings and thoughts about the matter. Journaling is a great solution to this. I write down my feelings about pretty much anything, and I know that nobody else will know about it. It helps me to keep a clear mind when I don't feel like talking to an actual person about problems such as a bad grade or nervous thoughts about the future.
3. Inspires creativity
I not only use my journal as a place to write all of my thoughts, but also as a creative outlet to doodle and write creatively. It has become the "catch all" for my life in the past month. While waiting for my classes, I will pull out my journal and doodle some flowers or a geometric pattern. It is a much better alternative to scrolling through Twitter or Instagram mindlessly. My journal is a space to let my creativity flow naturally, and it allows me to escape from my academics for a while.
4. Allows you to reflect on the past
I think the most important part of journaling is reflecting on your past self. By the end of the semester, I will be able to see my growth through my writings. I think that it is important to keep a record of my thoughts and emotions, so that I am able to reflect on my actions and see that I am able to make progress even in the small things. It is a great indicator to see where I have been and where I am now.
