I’ve never kept a diary. So the concept of journaling felt a little ‘Bridget Jones' to me. All she did was ponder her desperate love life and whilst I can relate to some of her issues, I didn’t want to write an essay every day about life and my feelings.
But journaling is not the same as keeping a diary. For me, it’s more of an intimate scrapbook. Journaling to me is like a photo album but for my thoughts.
You can journal about anything you want — events in your life, problems in your life, maybe some ideas for solutions, too. It doesn’t just have to focus on the negative, though, and that’s exactly what I’ve tried to not let into my journal — negativity.
If I read or hear about an inspiring story, I’ll note it down. Then, if I’m low, I’ll read it back and it lifts me and injects some perspective into my dark, cloudy moment.
It’s also helped with ideas for writing and for DIY projects. Jotting them down and writing out crocheting patterns helps me keep a focus on what it is I love to do in my spare time, it consumes me. I’ve written a book list, including books I’ve always wanted to read, of course, but also books I’ve read and want to re-read.
It’s always satisfying ticking items of a list— it feels like I’m getting stuff done.
I would also recommend treating yourself to a fancy journal because, why not? Then it feels special when you write in it. Like that first day of school with a blank page in your workbook. Ah, memories.
I’m usually so tied to my phone. It’s so easy to fall down that Facebook/Instagram/YouTube rabbit hole. And don’t get me wrong, I still note my shopping lists in Google docs but there’s something about physically writing in a book that makes you feel so disconnected from today’s digital world — and it’s great.
However frequently or infrequently you write in your journal, even if it’s just 30 minutes a week, I find, even in that short amount of time, that it soothes me. And in this 30-minute window, it’s just nice to sit in silence and take in your surroundings, I feel like I can think clearly about everything just at that moment.
