I have recently begun writing in a journal; it is an extremely enjoyable experience that has helped me place my life in a whole new perspective. In order to start a journal, all you need is a journal, be it leather or composition, and a writing utensil. Then, you just write about your everyday life! I like to do it right before I go to bed as a way to reflect on the day. I love writing in a journal, and I think you will, too! These are several reasons why you should start keeping a journal.
1. It's a way to reflect.
Writing in a journal is an excellent way to look back and reflect on all the amazing things you did that day. It's a way to truly give thanks for every opportunity you get and a way to document those opportunities forever.
June 13, 2016 Today, I went to work. I spent six hours placing labels on envelopes and then two hours stuffing the envelopes. My boss forgot to tell me the labels had the wrong information. I hate my boss. When I got home, I watched Netflix for six hours. I am finding "The Office" to be very depressing. I went to bed early. It was an awful day.
2. It can improve your writing.
The act of writing in a journal every day can really improve your writing skills. By offering an outlet for creative writing daily, one's writing skills can vastly improve sentence and word refinement and variety.
June 14, 2016 Work, Netflix, sleep. Hate my boss. Today was OK.
3. It can provide an excellent alibi in case you are ever accused of murder.
After listening to the hit podcast "Serial" and reading the excellent book "In Cold Blood," I have been very worried that one day I will be accused of a crime I didn't commit, specifically murder, I won't be able to remember what I did on that day, rendering me alibi-less, and I will be convicted of a crime I didn't commit! Well, with a journal, that worry is no more! I can record every detail of every day, providing an abundance of details for me to follow up on for proof of my whereabouts on the day of said crime! Now, if I'm convicted of a murder I didn't commit, I can rest safely knowing that it is just because of corruption in the judicial system.
June 15, 2016 Today, I went to work from 8:30-5:30. Everybody there saw me. I had to fix all of the customer relations accounts, because my stupid boss is too inept to figure out how to separate their personal matters from work matters. I then went to Publix. The cashier there saw me, and I have a time-stamped receipt. I called my mother at exactly 7:35, and we had a 14-minute, 38-second conversation. I then watched Netflix for two hours — my browser history can confirm.
4. It can provide an excellent alibi in case you commit murder.
The reasoning behind number three can also apply if you did commit a murder! Simply write your journal as if you didn't commit the murder or other crime! You will have backup for an alibi. Hopefully, the police won't notice that you may not be exactly sound with hard evidence for a 20-minute block. In order to ensure complete safety, subtly accuse someone else of murder. Place them in the right place at the right time doing something incredibly suspicious. You've already committed murder, lying is hardly worse!
June 16, 2016 Today I came into work at 8:25 and spent the day working diligently pushing papers and went home at 5:30. However, I did notice something suspicious at 10:17, when I took my bathroom break. Masha was exiting our boss's office looking strange, and her hands were dripping with something red ... ketchup, I think. Strange. Anyways, I went home, had a delicious meal of baby lamb, and then I watched "Hannibal" and went to bed.
5. It can provide a way to appreciate all of the little things in life while looking at the bigger picture.
I find it particularly edifying to be able to flip back through previous entries in my journal and see how I've grown as a person. It is especially nice to be able to reflect on trying and difficult moments in my life and to be able to see how issues have resolved and made me a better person as a whole.
June 17, 2016 Today was a great day! Our new boss is super cool. I love my job!
