Being in a good state of mind is crucial to our success in all aspects of our lives—from relationships to academics to community involvement. It can be easy to get so swept up in everything happening around us to forget that sometimes, you just need to take a second to breathe. Journaling has made a comeback recently; so if it’s something you’re considering, here are some awesome reasons to just go for it!
1. There’s No Deadline
Many people think that journaling has to be an every night thing; but that’s not the case at all! Putting a deadline on your journaling makes it seem more like an assignment or an obligation than a way to relieve stress. Instead, make it something you do when you have the time, or carve a little time right before bed to journal and reflect on the day. That way it feels less like extra pressure and more like a way to relax and unwind.
2. It's Personal
The beauty of a journal is that it is as public or as private as you want. Some people use blogs as a very public way to journal, while others have a notebook tucked away under a bed or in a drawer. Ultimately, this is YOURS. No one can tell you how public or confidential to be.
3.You Can Write Whatever You Want
Because this is yours, you can write about whatever you want. Write about the happenings of the day or find a list of prompts on Pinterest (Trust me, they’re everywhere.) As someone who recently took up journaling, I can attest—there is no shortage of inspiration when you get to write about literally anything you want, be it a quote or song that inspires you, or how nice your coffee was today.
4. You Don’t Even Have to Write
Not a fan of writing? Guess what—you don’t have to! Doodle, practice calligraphy, even paint. No one said this journal had to be for writing. The only rule is that you do whatever you feel.
5. It Can Help You Stay Organized
Stressed about a busy week ahead, or that exam tomorrow? Use your journal to make a To-Do list. Sit down, list out everything you feel needs done, and then list them in order by Needs, Wants, and “Bonuses,” that way you can feel like you have a handle on life, and you get the added satisfaction of crossing things off that list! Separating them by Need, Want, or Bonus avoids the problem of putting too many things on your list and overwhelming yourself.
6. It Gives You a Chance to Breathe and Reflect
Journaling gives you a chance in the day to sit, relax, and decompress—something not many of us take the time to do. Writing/doodling/etc. will help you feel productive while also giving you the opportunity to reflect on the day you’ve had or the week ahead.
7. It’s an Outlet
(Especially for college students who may not have athletics anymore) It’s hard to find an outlet for all that pent-up stress and emotion we seem to accrue in our lives. If you let it build up, eventually it’s going to peak, and that is never good. Journaling can provide a safe, private way for you to work out that stress or those crazy emotions.
8. It Reminds You to Focus on the Good Things
Using journaling as a way to focus on good things in life is a fantastic way to create a more positive outlook on life. We get so caught up in living that we often overlook everything we have to be thankful for—and even in the hard times, there are so many. A positive outlook doesn’t just help you, but can be contagious and affect your relationships and endeavors as well!