Maintaining a diary may not sound appealing. After all, only little girls do that, right? Plus, who wants to waste their time writing down how their day went or how they’re feeling? Well, actually writing in a journal or diary has many more benefits than one may initially imagine. It’s not only a place to write, but to later reflect. Here is a list of the top five benefits of keeping a journal:

5. Clarify your thoughts and feelings.

When you have those days where you find yourself unsure about what you want, feel, or think of a situation, writing in a journal can help. Even simply jotting down your initial thoughts (without editing) can aid you in deciphering the situation you are in. After pouring out your thoughts onto the page, it will not be too hard to see where you stand and what you would like to come out of the scenario.

4. Resolve disagreements with others.

Everyone falls into an argument from time to time. Taking some time to write about the dispute you encounter has proven to help with resolving the issue by understanding both yours and the other person’s point of view. Delving into the situation, breaking in down as you write, can aid you in finding a resolution to the problem (or misunderstanding) you face.

3. Reduce stress.

Feeling overwhelmed, angry, sad, or any other emotion can be intense at times. Though writing these emotions onto paper can help release the stress or intensity of those feelings. You may find yourself feeling calmer and less flustered after writing in your journal. Perhaps you can even plan out your next steps to ensure you effectively work through the hectic or painful situation.

2. Solve problems more effectively.

It is said that problem solving occurs through an analytical perspective, yet other times you can find unexpected solutions through the engagement of your creativity and intuition. Writing your thoughts into a journal helps you tap into your creativity and can sometimes surprise you with a solution to a seemingly unsolvable problem.

1. Get to Know Yourself Better.

Looking back through your journal entries can help you understand how you react to certain scenarios and what makes you happy. You might find that when around certain people or places, you become more confident in what you are doing, and other times you could find that one particular situation makes you uncomfortable. It’s important to realize these things for the sake of your mental and emotional well-being.

If you would like to start a journal, it is suggested that you sit down with it daily for about 20 minutes. Without dwelling on punctuation or spelling, you should uncensor your thoughts--which is often achieved by writing quickly--and begin to write wherever you feel comfortable. If you do not know where to start or what to write about, try to pick a certain theme for the journal entry. These themes can range from peace of mind, changes in your life, to confusion, or even anger. There are no rules when it comes to writing in your journal. Doing so may allow you to experience moments of clarity, inspiration, and motivate positive change.

To learn more about the benefits of keeping a journal, visit the articles: "10 Surprising Benefits You'll Get From Keeping a Journal," "Why You Should Keep a Journal (and How to Start Yours)," and "The Health Benefits of Journaling."