Do you guys journal? I’ve been keeping some sort of a journal all my life. I actually had a diary with the little lock on it. I took the key to school with me but I’m certain that my mother could open it with a bobby pin! I’d love to be able to read that journal today. I was probably writing about my crush or how much I wanted to be a grown up. Now I actually have three journals. One is a daily general use journal. In it I record daily thoughts and things like appointments and notes. I used it almost daily (much less during the pandemic). I have a worry journal that I keep by my bed. I write in it when I’m having trouble getting settled at night or worrying in general. The last journal I use is for taking notes on a master class I’m taking.
There are so many good reasons to journal. It’s a great way to get things off your mind. Just putting it on paper can help you be a little less anxious. Perform a brain dump ( yes…that’s actually a thing). Instead of panicking over your to do list or mulling a thought over and over write it down. A dated journal is a great way to reflect on your thoughts and feeling. I’d love to be able to reread some of my journal entries from my teen years. One of the most common ways to use a journal is for planning. You can plan your day, your week or your next five years. Are you always coming up with great ideas? Write them down! Otherwise you’ll forget or neglect them. This can be especially helpful for those creative types.
Do you wake up tense or anxious about the day? Write about how you are feeling and start the day off right. Another way to start (or end) the day is with a gratitude journal. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Sometimes we overlook the little things. Journaling doesn’t just mean writing. You can draw your feeling. Use colored pencils or pens. You don’t have to be a Picasso to journal this way. Remember that your journal is for your eyes only (unless you want to share). Who cares if you can barely draw a stick figure!
Get creative when it comes to journaling. Set aside five minutes at the start or end of the day and go for it. Here are some journal prompts to get you started.
- What will your life look like in 5 years?
- Name three things you do well.
- How can you be more content?
- What do you want to accomplish today? Why? How?
- What are your favorite places to go? Why?
- What five words describe you most?
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