The demands of keeping up in today’s world versus even just a few years ago have dramatically changed. Technology, innovation, and businesses have driven the service industry to be available to customers 24/7. And that includes sharing our personal lives on social media with our following.
But, trying to keep up in this fast-paced 24.7 has personal growth inhibitors that ultimately can burn us out. Journaling not only can help avoid that but also brings a world of benefits to us.
Want better news? It doesn’t need to be complicated. Even buying a spiral notebook by Erin Condren can jumpstart the process.
Ready to start taking advantage of the benefits? Let’s take a look.
First, What Is Journaling?
The amazing thing is that you can journal any way you want. While there are many types of journaling styles, finding something that you enjoy is the best path to take. Need some inspiration? Here are a few examples of different journaling styles.
Freestyle
Freestyle is journaling any way that you want. Whatever comes to mind is what goes down on the paper.
Guided Prompts
Guided prompts help those who don’t know what to write about. Through a question or prompt, writers will respond to it through writing.
Reflections
Reflecting on your day, month, or situation can be a very powerful way to journal. This just helps get our thoughts and feelings down on paper.
Gratitude
Expressing thanks is one of the most rewarding ways to journal. Appreciating things and getting them out on paper has incredible benefits.
Organizational
Planning your day and organizing your goals is a common way everyone journals without realizing it.
Word Art
Not all journaling has to be strictly words. Doodles can be a part of the process too!
Benefits of Journaling
Now that we understand our options let’s talk about how journaling can make a major impact on our day-to-day as well as in years to come. Some of them you may have gathered from their type of journaling.
Self-Awareness
It can be hard to keep up with ourselves in a busy world. Have you ever been on auto-pilot and suddenly realized you were run down before it was too late? A cold crept in, and you forgot to take a self-care day for the last few months. Journaling, no matter what kind, has a natural way of making us self-aware. It helps us discover our feelings while also giving us time to reflect.
When we get things down on paper, it’s easier to elaborate on an idea or thought. When we try to self-analyze in our head, it’s easy to lose track and get caught down a rabbit hole.
Being self-aware helps translate into several other areas, like being in a good mental space.
Positive For Our Mental Health
A 2006 study looked at the effects of mental health after journaling. It was notable that by journaling consistently, it has the ability to reduce anxiety, curb depression symptoms, and help regulate emotion.
The study also said that journaling provided similar benefits to cognitive-based therapy. This was particularly evident based on expressive writing, where that journaling reflected on their emotions.
Increases Productivity
Journaling puts us into routines by brainstorming and putting our to-do lists into action plans. While scheduling activities and tasks are an important part of the process, simply writing down thoughts, ideas, and feelings can lead to better planning outcomes. This goes for both our professional and personal lives and schedules.
It also helps you achieve your goals. Road mapping or brainstorming your wants and desires helps you think about all the ways you can get there.
Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
Creativity plays an important role in how inspired we are and our mental health. You may feel stuck and uncreative when you first look at a blank page. But once you start the process and get into a flow, journaling can unlock ideas and passions that make us feel purpose.
Self Confidence
When you start to feel all the above, your self-esteem and self-confidence improve. Your thinking is much more clear because you have structure and inspiration at the same time. With reduced anxiety and better preparedness, you also will feel more assured in what you are doing.
Tip: Writing positive affirmations and quotes in your notebook can make a major difference in your focus for the day and mood.
Start Small
When you start journaling, it’s important to be consistent, and for most people, starting small is great. Burning yourself by journaling for hours can lead to quitting the habit too soon. Setting time for journaling is one of the best ways you can monitor it while also improving consistency.
If it doesn’t come naturally right away, prompts are the best place to start. This may lead to expressive journaling. If you are someone who struggles with organization, it may feel stress-inducing at first. That’s why using guided tips and prompts and journals that have structure can be great.
