Let’s Talk About Journaling 

Write It, Say It, Draw It Out- it’s all about YOU 

Have you ever felt extremely overwhelmed with your thoughts and not sure who to talk to? 

Whether it is a diary, journal or even your notes app on your phone- writing down your thoughts can provide a sense of order and comfort when life seems a bit chaotic.  

There is no right or wrong way to journal- it truly depends on what YOU need from it. This article will go into detail how writing down your thoughts can benefit your mental health. 

One of the main benefits to journaling is Emotional Expression. Journaling provides a safe and private space to express your thoughts, feelings and emotions without judgment. While it is always good to turn to loved ones, journaling provides you with an opportunity to freely talk through any situations. In addition, journaling is a great form of Stress Reduction. Pouring out all of your feelings into words can be extremely relieving. This can also help you to gain perspectives and make sense of challenges, which leads into Self-Reflection. Regularly writing about your thoughts and experiences, can help you to develop a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and your goals.

Healing is another consistent benefit to journaling. Writing down traumatic, stressful or frustrating experiences may seem daunting at first, but it truly can facilitate the healing process. It is often a form of comfort and a way to cope with the past at your own pace. Everyone is on a different healing journey. There is no timeline when it comes to emotional processing, however, you may find that journaling can help. 

Journaling also does not always have to be linked to hardship. On the daily, journaling can help you in terms of Personal Growth. As you document your experiences, challenges, and triumphs, you’ll witness your own growth and progress, building a sense of accomplishment and resilience. This can look like Goal Setting or even Gratitude Practice. When Goal Setting, it is important to track your progress. Journaling provides an outlet for you to motivate yourself and be proud of how far you’ve come. This does amazing things for your self-esteem. If you are looking to shift into a more positive mindset, Gratitude Practice can help shift your focus away from negativity- leading to improvements to your overall mental well-being.  

For those going through a transitional point in your life, journaling can help to Reduced Rumination. Rumination, or obsessive overthinking, can contribute to anxiety and depression. Journaling helps externalize thoughts, preventing them from cycling endlessly in your mind. Journaling can also assist in overall Mood Regulation. Through tracking your mood over time, you may be able to identify patterns in your emotions and behavior that can help you recognize triggers and develop strategies for managing mood fluctuations.

Lastly, journaling is a wonderful way to take a step back from the busyness of life. It creates Time for Yourself. Carving out time for regular journaling provides a peaceful and intentional moment for self-care and reflection. Journaling regularly often Increases your Self-Awareness and Creativity. Doodling for five minutes a day may seem like nothing, however, you’re subconsciously building a healthy habit of taking time for you. 

So once again, whether it is a diary, journal, sketch book or even your notes app on your phone- taking the time for YOU is what is most important. 

We hope that Journaling may help you on your Pathway to Joy. 

We are happy you exist. 

Here are some online resources to begin your Journaling Journey: 

• Penzu: An online journaling platform that allows you to create private, secure digital journals.

Website: https://penzu.com/

• Journey: A cross-platform journaling app that lets you create journal entries with text, photos, and location tags.

Website: https://journey.cloud/

• The Five Minute Journal: A physical journal designed to promote gratitude and positivity with prompts for morning and evening reflections.

Website: https://www.intelligentchange.com/products/the-five-minute-journal

• Gratitude Journaling: The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley offers a guide on gratitude journaling and its benefits.

Website: https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf