Long ago in days now passed, journaling used to be a hobby that nearly every literate person would partake in. Now it has gone by the wayside in favor of social media and the internet. However, journaling can still be an extremely beneficial hobby.
According to healthline.com, keeping a journal can benefit your mental health in several ways. These include reducing stress, boosting well-being, emotional processing, future moves and self-discovery.
Many people view keeping a journal as just writing down their feelings, but it can be much more than that.
You can draw in your journal, write out plans for the day, keep track of things you need to do, draft creative stories, and many more potential ideas. It can also be used when traveling, writing down your dreams and goals, and what you are thankful for.
It’s your space to do what you want to do. You decide everything that happens within those covers.
Tips for effective journaling include setting aside a certain time of day when you are able to reflect in writing.
Also make sure to not overthink journaling too much, just write. Other ways to journal are by choosing a notebook that makes you feel the most creative and to try different styles of writing.
If you are interested but don’t know where to start, there are plenty of tips online and on social media. You can start with a writing prompt, just writing about your day, facts about your interests such as sports or a good book you’ve read, or maybe even something cool you found on the ground while walking between classes.
Other ideas may also include writing about things you would like to know more about or telling short stories.
It can also be used as a form of therapy, as many licensed therapists recommend journaling about your feelings to become more self-aware.
Years down the road, you can revisit a completed journal and look through the pages as a screenshot of your life at the time you wrote it. Relive the memories that you experience while writing that journal. The choices are endless, what will you do?
Gibson is an aspiring journalist with a variety of roles under his belt including his role as News Editor for the Communique. Once he earns his associate degree from Kirkwood, he plans on transferring to a four-year university to major in Mass Communications and Journalism. Once earning his bachelor’s degree, he intends to follow his dream of becoming a sportswriter.
Categories: Opinion
