Beyond Diaries

Do you recall your childhood days when you diligently penned thoughts in your personal diary before bedtime? The tranquil experience of channeling your innermost feelings into a private sanctuary—wasn’t it like a soothing balm for the soul? I vividly remember those evenings when I noted daily happenings before sleeping. This practice allowed me to express myself without the looming fear of judgment or punishment. Remarkably, I continue this ritual, and it remains as beneficial as ever.

While some may have abandoned the habit of writing, others still reap its remarkable advantages. Now it is commonly referred to as “journaling”. It is simply a practice of regularly recording your feelings, emotions, experiences, and reflections in a journal. It is often a personal and private activity where individuals write about their dreams, goals, aspirations, and anything else they wish to document. Journaling can take many forms from traditional handwritten journals to digital diaries. The preference is based on an individual and there are no harsh rules about the format. The benefits of journaling are numerous and you can get the most out of it as soon as you step into it.

When it comes to emotional wellness, journaling can prove to be a very powerful tool. Journaling can take various forms to achieve the highest level of emotional satisfaction. Let us deep dive into some of these forms:

Journaling for stress relief: Journaling can be a great way to reduce stress. When you journal the negative thoughts and worries it helps you release the emotions that build up within you. Consider it equivalent to sharing your personal story with a close friend. How do you feel when you talk to someone about a bad day at work? Relaxing, right? Journaling helps you achieve the same feeling but in a more private manner. Moreover, it would also help you channel your emotions and keep a daily record of changes in the stress level. You can keep track of your triggers and make a plan to tackle them while you journal.

Expressive journaling: It is a form of journaling where individuals use writing as a means of self-expression and emotional release. It involves freely and openly writing about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without any specific structure or format. The primary goal of expressive journaling is to allow you to express your emotions, process difficult experiences, and gain insight into your inner world.

In expressive journaling, there are no rules or guidelines to follow, and there is no concern for grammar, punctuation, or structure. Instead, you can write whatever comes to mind without self-censorship. This free and unfiltered expression can help you explore and understand your emotions, gain clarity on your thoughts, and work through issues or challenges you may be facing. It can be a therapeutic and cleansing practice that promotes self-awareness and emotional well-being. Expressive journaling can be especially beneficial for those dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, or other emotional difficulties, as it provides a safe and private space to process and release their feelings. It’s a powerful tool for self-discovery and emotional healing.

Journaling to create order out of chaos: A stressed and anxious mind is chaotic in nature and definitely not a good place to be. Journaling helps you create order in your life by listing habits that demand change and a possible solution to them. I personally do this activity whenever my mind feels chaotic. I make a list of things that need improvement and I try to provide a possible solution(s) to each of the items in the list.

Mindful journaling: It is a practice that combines the principles of mindfulness with the act of keeping a journal or diary. It involves intentionally and non-judgmentally focusing on the present moment while writing about your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The goal of mindful journaling is to enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

How to start journaling?

If you are new to this territory, don’t worry I am here to guide you through the process. Journaling is not as difficult or complicated as it might sound. All you need to do is keep certain things in order before you begin journaling.

1. Make up your mind: If you are reading this post, you probably are halfway there to begin your journey. This is the part where most of us struggle and therefore we end up never doing it. Good job, you are here.
2. Find a time and place: It is important to be in a serene environment before you begin this practice. Take out some quiet time during your day and a quiet place. The best times are usually early in the morning or before bedtime. But there are no rules to it and you can find your own sweet time and spot. It can be in a cozy cafe on a winter night or in the comfort of your quilt in your bedroom. Anything works as long as you are determined.
3. Write it down: Honestly, you do not need a fancy journal to begin the practice. A simple notebook ruled or unruled can do a great job too. However, if you are still interested in going the extra mile and pampering yourself with a beautiful journal, please do that. The process should never be self-limiting. Find that perfect notebook or guided journal for yourself and write down your thoughts.
4. Read what you write: Finally, glance through what you have written and try to analyze your thoughts. You might be surprised to see how happy you feel after doing this activity.

To sum up, journaling is a practice that allows you to connect with yourself, relieve stress, and bring order to your life. Consider it as a relaxing activity and try to find some quiet time when you do it. I usually do it first thing in the morning and the last thing before going to bed. It has immensely helped me in various ways and I am not giving up on it ever. I hope that this post motivates you to start journaling and helps in improving your emotional well-being.