I started keeping a diary at the tender age of 12. I thought if my older sister did it, it was cool enough to warrant me doing the same. Cringey memories aside, I have kept a journal on and off since then. I’m not entirely sure why – I think it’s just a basic need to record my thoughts, my findings, my fears… in order to preserve them. I suppose my blog is an extension of this too!
Preserving the past (and trying to copy my sister) isn’t the only reason I journal now. When I started my personal experiments with health, be it with what I ate or how I worked out, I never thought I’d become so interested in the psychological side of health. It seems pretty obvious now – a healthy mind leads a healthy body, right? Well, that’s what I’ve come to understand anyway. From hearing the likes of Dave Asprey or Tim Ferris on the benefits of journaling, I decided there must be something more to it than a childhood obsession, so I did a little research…5 Benefits of Journaling
1. Increased happiness
Getting out the day’s worries or stresses in words can be super cathartic. Plus you can say whatever you like, because no one needs to read it!
2. Self improvement
Tracking a diet change or new fitness regime? Journaling is a great way to self-experiment and see how you’re progressing. Often tracking numbers alone isn’t helpful, but tracking how we feel can be the key.
3. Helps solve problems
Writing every day, even if you’re not a big writer, has been shown to be good for the noggin You might be able to tackle problems better when you get them written down.
4. Boosts self-esteem
Taking time to note what went well that day, or what you’re grateful for, or why you’re just plain awesome is a great way to boost confidence.
5. Improved sleep quality
If you can journal in a place free from distractions, just before bedtime, it can help to calm you nerves and wind down for the day.
What, still not convinced that journaling is for you? Let’s hear it!
Excuse #1: I don’t have time to journal.
Yes, you do. It doesn’t need to take longer than a few minutes every night, or in the morning – or any time that suits you to be honest.
Excuse #2: I don’t have a journal.
Well, assuming you’re reading this in August, it would seem a bit wasteful to buy a shiny new journal and only use half of it. But fear not! I’ve designed one you can print out at home. Or if you want to save some trees, you can download the digital version, which is fully editable. Of course, you can always use a plain notebook, a napkin, a beermat… I’ve also used tools like Evernote or Google Docs to keep longer entries in the past. You could even start a blog. Anything goes! The important bit is knowing what you’re most likely to stick with.
Excuse #3: I don’t know what I would write.
In my Just Journal, I’ve made it simple – there are 5 questions you answer, to get your writing on the run.
1. I am grateful for…
Showing gratitude has proven benefits for increasing happiness and life satisfaction.
2. I believe…
This is an affirmation. These are a real confidence booster – here’s some inspiration to get started.
3. I look forward to…
It’s always good to have something to look forward to tomorrow.
4. The best thing that happened today*…
What standout event (no matter how small) do you want to remember?
5. How I can make tomorrow better…
There’s always something we can work on, here’s your chance to get it out.
*Assuming you write this in the evening (I’ve found this is a great way to calm me down and sets me up for a great night’s sleep). If morning journaling works better for you, just let me know and I’ll send you a morning Just Journal.
My advice is if you don’t already journal, give it a try for a week. 5 minutes a day x 7… even if it’s not for you, the experiment will only have cost you 35 minutes.
You can print it out if you’re more a paper-to-pen type, or simply fill in the PDF with a document reader.
Do you like to write in a journal? How often do you do this? How has journaling been beneficial to you?
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My blog is my journal too so I guess i am kid half way there already.
Hello! I never kept a journal as a kid, I always forgot but my daughter (8) has kept one for three years! It is very cute! I blog mostly to record things happening with the children. My Mother-in-law reads it amongst other people, its a good way of keeping everyone up to date! 🙂
I love the idea of a journal but unfortunately I barely find time to blog and go to the gym!
I definitely treat my blog as a journal, it’s great to go back through it and read about my feelings/experiences at certain time. Your Just Journal is so pretty Cat!
I used to write a diary when I was younger. It was so unbelievably cringey to read now. I can’t stand to read it!
I think of my blog as a sort of journal. I find it so cathartic writing it and I enjoy looking back at previous posts.
I do agree that writing a journal helps solve issues and sort of put to bed thoughts that have been ruminating around in your mind.
I’ve journalled for years but only recently started up again, mines more a writing everything down so it’s not in my head kind of journal so I just bought a pretty notebook and off I went. It’s definitely cathartic