3 Reasons Why Journaling And Keeping A Diary Is So Important
Write it out to work it out.
Photo by Trent Szmolnik on Unsplash Resisting the urge to add yet another cute, printed journal to your Target shopping cart is one of the strongest temptations of this world. Every time you pick up a new, freshly bound option, you are flooded with images of unfilled books you have at home, stacked in the corner of your room. “Yeah, but this time I’m really going to make it to the last page,” you tell yourself as you eye up some colored ink pens along the aisle.
We’ve all been there. Journaling has been popularized by Hollywood portrayals of a rom-com star meeting her soul mate in a coffee shop as she perfectly swirls her thoughts on the page. I mean, hello! Who wouldn’t want that!
Usually, fads blown up from the big screens run their course within a few weeks. They typically aren’t practical. But journaling has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, boost your mood, and keep your mind sharp!
Intermountain Healthcare reported both long-term and short-term health benefits of journaling. By writing out your thoughts every day, you can work to regulate your emotions in a way that is healthy and productive.
Think about the last time a major event threw you a life curveball. Our blood pressure spikes and our minds race a mile a minute. How can anyone be expected to figure out their next step with a hurricane of hormones throwing their decision-making process out of whack?
One of the major turn-offs of journaling is writer’s block. Sure you have plenty to say, but in the heat of the moment, nothing concrete comes to mind. Using different visual tools like mind maps and drawing out how you are feeling can get your creative juices flowing and take you one step closer to the peak of the emotional mountain.
You may feel silly at first, but trust me, you’ll be able to look back on the moments where you felt like your life was crashing down around you and see how far you’ve come.
My personal journey with writing out my thoughts every day came about a week after one of the most life-altering events of my life. In his early 50s, my dad, a seemingly perfect bill of health and life, was diagnosed with stage two colon cancer. I had just finished my freshman year at college in New York City and was planning on visiting home for a few weeks. Those weeks turned into months as his battle to beat cancer (which he did!) began. I learned a lot about the power of the organized chaos we call our minds.
1. Journaling serves as a reminder to slow down and appreciate life.
It’s almost too easy to race through life, jumping from one hoop to the next, in anticipation of what is next. We are bred to focus on and plan for our futures. But what about the here and now?
Journaling every day, even if it is just a few lines about what you had for breakfast or what you plan to wear, can bring you back down to reality and set a routine of self-awareness. After a few weeks of daily entries, you’ll be able to flip through the pages and see your emotional journey before your very eyes!
2. Writing in a diary is a blank canvas for problem-solving.
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Have a big promotion on the horizon? Confused about where to move to after you graduate? Nervous about an upcoming performance or obligation? Writing out the pros and cons of each possible course of action will offer you a clear path to the right decision for you. And once it is all said and done, you can look back on your entire thought process to see how you made it to where you are. Your chest will feel lighter and your head will feel clearer once you dedicate some time to your thoughts and well being.
3. Journaling helps keep your mind sharp and your emotional intelligence high.
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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that writing every day makes you a better writer. Even though this seems like such a menial task, we literally read and write every day of our lives without even trying, practice makes perfect.
Think about how much better at cartwheels you would be if you did it for five minutes straight every single morning. Or how flexible you would be if you stretched your splits every night before bed.
Journaling daily will make you a better communicator and more aware emotional being. You’ll be able to identify when certain triggers cause certain responses and adapt as needed to keep yourself cool, calm, and collected.
Madison Kerth is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.