The Benefits Of Journal Writing

In a world that is busy, fast-paced, and constantly in need of our attention it is hard to find time to catch up with ourselves. It is easy to see one day turn into weeks, into months, and even years before we take time to catch up with who we are, whom we are becoming, and what direction we hope to take. This is where journal writing comes in.

It may start to feel like our lives are on autopilot, one day rolling into the next without much thought. A way to stop all that and refocus is journaling. Journaling is the intentional process of putting thoughts, feelings, and experiences onto paper.

Why do people journal?

Journaling has many benefits since it awards us the opportunity to examine how we are living and take note of areas that need improvement or areas to celebrate. In the therapeutic world, journaling has been seen to promote healthy living in that it helps reduce stress and anxiety thereby boosting well-being. Below are some benefits of Journal writing:

Mindfulness. Journal writing creates order and seeks clarity in a world that often feels chaotic. By setting aside time, and looking for a quiet and secluded space, one gets to be mindful and calm for the duration of the exercise. This is beneficial in that you allow yourself to stop, stop the busyness and all the fuss, and just focus.

Emotional catharsis. When we are overwhelmed by emotions, journaling can provide the space for us to vent, examine and understand our emotions. It can be a purging of sorts where there is no judgment or expectations. This processing of hard emotions gives room for emotional processing and regulation.

Self-discovery. There is no personal growth that ever happened without first examining who we are in our present state. Journaling helps us discover our true selves through recording and examining repeated patterns of behaviors, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and perceptions. Armed with this knowledge only then can we confront that which needs to change.

Improved mental health. Giving ourselves the chance to stop, and evaluate how we are feeling, and what we are thinking greatly improves our mental health. Journaling aids in helping us confront our emotions, fear, anxieties, and problematic behaviors without judgment or shame.

This cognitive processing can help us discover our triggers, track improvement, and seek positive coping mechanisms. We will no longer respond impulsively but allow ourselves to evaluate situations first.

Clear perception. Our perception of ourselves, other people, or the world can be blurred at times due to several reasons. Journal writing helps us gain awareness of events, people, and situations. As we write, a clearer picture of our concerns and needs starts to emerge, aiding us with much-needed insight to make informed decisions.

Goal setting. Our future becomes less frightening if we plan and set goals that can be attained so we can lead the life we want. Through journaling, people can put down on paper their plans, deadlines, actions, and resources. Journaling helps in tracking progress which can be a great motivator for completing tasks.

Facing fears and anxieties. When faced with a challenging situation, it can sometimes be difficult to face up to it and hence use avoidance as a way of coping. This however is damaging in the long run. Journaling awards us the opportunity to face up to our fears and anxieties. When we do so, we might realize that we get resolutions to what we are facing or at least get a better perspective so that we are not in a constant state of fear and anxiety.

Inspiration and creativity. Ideas and inspirations can come as we take time to write and explore our creative minds. In this instance, journal writing can be used as a canvas that’s being filled with creative expression.

Journal writing is an invaluable tool. The practice of writing and recording one’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings opens a door to personal growth and self-reflection that we all need as we make our way in the world. The ability to stop and take stock cannot be understated, and journaling provides an accessible way to do this.

We can help you with journal writing.

If you feel that journal writing is something you would want to incorporate into your daily living but you are not sure where to start, you can get in touch with our offices and we will pair you with a counselor who will be able to help. They will give guidance on how to start, keep you accountable, and offer an outsider’s insight when needed.