Journaling can be done in so many different types of ways – travel journals, dream journals, reading journals, personal journals. I have grown into the habit during my late teenage years to try and journal EVERYTHING. These are 10 reasons as to why I think it is important for everyone to have a journal of some sort:
1. Document your life
One of the coolest aspects journaling has to offer is that you document your life without even realizing it. You start a journal, and six months later you have a written record of every bit of life you’ve experienced. It’s great to see the way you’ve progressed and changed as a person – and it is super fun to read your old entries of when you had no idea of the things you would experience beyond that date!
2. Clear your mind
Journaling is a great tool when it comes to clearing your mind and thoughts. In some ways, you could consider it as a form of therapy. Writing down things that are bothering you helps you let it out, and this is especially beneficial when you have thoughts that you don’t want to share with another person.
3. Be creative
Creative people can benefit from journaling by having a safe space to practice and express their work, while keeping it all together. Writing journals and sketch journals allow artists to record their growth as creatives and store their ideas for future projects. Just like documenting your life, recording your progress as an artistic individual is always a good idea!
4. Keep Track
Whether you are a student in university or a full-time worker, you always have due dates and deadlines approaching. When work gets in the way of life’s duties, it’s easy to get flustered! But, having a daily journal of to-do lists and notes can help you keep track of your days and organize your life.
5. Get smarter
It is no secret that reading and writing frequently can help improve your intelligence. Literacy is an important skill to have, not only when searching for/ keeping a job, but to your overall presentation as a person in general! Journaling every day, or at least frequently, will get you in the habit of becoming a better speller, correcting your grammar, and will overall make you a smarter individual.
6. Be grateful
Looking back at things you have documented from time ago is a beautiful way to count your blessings. When life gets tough, you have access to remembering every good thing you’ve ever experienced, and that can remind you of the good things in store as well as the good things you’ve already been given.
7. Privacy
Your journal is personal – it’s like your very own best friend. It can be the place you go to when you need to vent, to tell your secrets, or to write something creative that you don’t prefer anyone to read. The privacy that journaling gives you and your thoughts is something you can’t find anywhere else.
8. Routine
Having a routine can help a person feel that they are being productive, and they’ve got things in order. A set time to journal will have you making sure you are being productive throughout your days while also giving you a break from responsibilities to focus strictly on yourself.
9. Keepsake
As mentioned, a journal is a great thing to keep along with being a great thing to write! Down the road, you can show your partner or children all of the (appropriate) things you experienced when you were young. The best part is that you forever have a story book of your own containing a collection of thoughts and experiences written by and about YOU!
10. Know yourself
Overall, the best reason to journal is because through it, you learn more about yourself than you ever knew possible, and that’s a really great thing.
