What is Journaling?

In today’s fast-paced world where everything and everyone is in a rush, how many of us can slow down a little and take some truly healthy and quiet time for ourselves? How much can we turn inward at a time when we are constantly rushing and speeding through even the most basic activities of walking, eating, etc.? I want to share a current journaling trend that I have also participated in to slow down my body and thoughts even a little bit and speed up my pen.

Before you start journaling, you may think to yourself and say, What could I even write about? But believe me, there are many things hidden and trapped in the depths of your mind. Journaling helps you externalize your fears, sorrow, or any other overwhelming emotions and allows you to organize your thoughts. Thus, it makes you gain emotional awareness and resilience.

One of the most important tips about journaling is being fully honest and open about what you write. When you start writing down things that you are afraid to express, even to yourself, you will see that your mind will open up even more and the words will come out of the notebook. Hereby, you may unleash the thoughts that disturb you inside.

Another thing I like about journaling is that you can track your own growth. Even though reading back on past journals gives a bittersweet sense of bygone, seeing how far you have come makes you proud of yourself. You may realize the shifts over time in your goals, habits, and mindset. Remember that journaling is not a process that gives immediate results in a short time but a step-by-step process, so consistency is important.

There are different types of journaling methods you may want to try. For a while, I have been freewriting journaling. In this method, you let your thoughts flow without paying attention to grammar rules, structure, or coherence. You are free to write whatever comes to your mind at that moment. This is one of the best ways to relax a little when you feel overwhelmed and lost. Another type of journaling is prompt-based journals, which is something new for me as well. Journal prompts encourage you to reflect on a topic or any other aspect of your life by asking provoking questions. You may ask questions to yourself like “What is the most important lesson you learned this year?” or “What are your core values?” etc. There are various question types you may find on the Internet. A few years ago, I also tried another type of journaling called a dream journal, where I noted down the dreams that I thought were gripping and impressed me. I found interesting connections between my dreams and realized the fascinating insights of my subconscious mind.

Journaling is a transformative experience and practice, so I suggest you not tire your mind even more with the perception of perfection in writing. You may allow yourself to see how good it is for you with a few minutes during the day, and you can embark on a journey into your inner world. Let your mind speak, and let your pen and notebook be your best friends. I want to end my words with the following words from one of my favorite poets, William Wordsworth: “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”