Why You Should Journal

I am a BIG big fan of journaling, scripting and writing affirmations. Ever since I read John 1:1 in my 20’s, something about the word “Verbo” [In english = Word] just really touched me and gave me an insight as to how transformative writing can be. I always enjoyed writing but at that moment, I truly understood how powerful words are and it just stayed with me.

Now, you do not have to be religious or even believe in God to benefit from Journaling. Journaling has numerous benefits for mental health and personal growth. It is a very well known and ancient practice. For example, the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius famously kept a personal journal, which later became the inspiring “Meditations.”

What is Journaling

Journaling is a practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a notebook or journal on a regular basis. It’s a tool for self-reflection, personal growth, and emotional release. It can take many forms, from recording daily events and thoughts to exploring deeper emotions and personal beliefs.

Benefits of Journaling

Research has shown that journaling can have numerous benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, enhancing self-awareness, and boosting creativity. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you gain clarity and perspective, identify patterns and triggers, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your experiences. Here are some key benefits:

Reduces stress and anxiety: Writing about your thoughts and feelings can help you release tension and decrease stress levels.
Enhances self-awareness: Journaling can help you understand yourself better by reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Boosts creativity: Writing in a journal can enhance your creativity by providing a safe space to explore new ideas and concepts.
Improves mood: Journaling can improve your mood by helping you process negative emotions and focus on positive experiences.
Increases productivity: Writing down goals and tasks can help you stay focused and organized, leading to increased productivity.
Enhances problem-solving skills: Journaling can help you identify patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, leading to better problem-solving skills.
Improves communication skills: Writing in a journal can improve your ability to communicate effectively by providing an outlet for self-expression and reflection.
Provides a sense of achievement: Completing a journal entry can give you a sense of accomplishment and progress towards personal goals.

Journaling can also be a way to practice gratitude and mindfulness, as you focus on the positive aspects of your life and take time to reflect on your experiences. Regular journaling can help you build a habit of self-reflection and self-care, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.Here are some reported benefits:

Daily Questions for Release, Gratitude and Mindfulness

I am a firm believer in small, daily habits as a source of true change. Start as SMALL as you can and just build from it. Here are three questions you can use to achieve emotional release, self-reflection, gratitude, and mindfulness with journaling:

How am I feeling today, and what may have contributed to these emotions?
What are three things I am grateful for today, and why are they important to me?
What can I do today to be more present and mindful in my interactions with others and the world around me?

Questions to Journal About

If you’d like to use journaling for a general deep dive, here are some questions you can ask yourself to start.

What are my current goals, and what steps can I take to achieve them?
What am I grateful for in my life right now?
What are some things that bring me joy, and how can I incorporate them into my daily routine?
What are some patterns or habits in my life that I would like to change?
What are some of my fears, and how can I work to overcome them?
What are some important decisions I need to make, and what are the pros and cons of each option?
What are some things that I would like to learn or explore further, and how can I incorporate them into my life?
What are some ways in which I can better take care of my physical, mental, and emotional health?
What are some challenges I have faced recently, and what have I learned from them?
What are some ways in which I can give back to my community or help others in need?