Dear diary, today I met the cutest boy in the lunch line. He was so handsome, and he even said “Hi” to me.
Think this is all there is to journaling? Maybe you think it’s just a way for giggly teenage girls to retell their fantasies of the day. Think again. Journaling is one of the most beneficial forms of writing on the planet, and if you don’t believe me, check out some of these quotes from avid journalers.
“Journaling allows my ideas, thoughts, and emotions to freely escape the confines of my mind. There’s no real structure, so I can follow each thought through to another without worrying about destination.” Age 22, A Creative Writing University student
“Journaling gives me a great perspective on who I am. It helps me to understand where my personal trials are, and how I can get through them so they don’t affect those around me.” Age 45, Manager of Printing Company
“Journaling helps my day attain the flow it needs. I write in my journal every morning after I workout, and it helps me organize my day and give my brain the wake-up call it needs to get moving.” Age 30, Copywriter.
While three quotes from unnamed sources may not convince you that journaling is actually beneficial, perhaps a study might. Psychologist James Pennebaker (University of Texas at Austin) and Psychologist Joshua Smyth (Syracuse University) have completed a study which, preliminarily, suggests that journaling can actually offer some level of physical benefit to those with a terminal illness. It boosts the immune system, thus offering patients a better quality of life.
Other studies are currently underway to look at some of these benefits that journaling can offer individuals.
- Lower stress levels
- Decreased emotional and physical healing time
- Improved cognitive function levels
- Promotion of problem solving skills
- Enhancement of creative thought levels
Think you have what it takes to get started? I’m certain you do. Whether you write best with a sharpened pencil and lined paper or the keyboard of your iMac helps get those words flowing out of your mind, find a spot where you can really think about things. As you start the journaling process, and particularly if you’re a reluctant writer, set a timer for fifteen minutes. Force yourself to write anything and everything that comes to your mind during those fifteen minutes. Try not to stop during that time period, and if you can’t think of something to write, try “I can’t think of anything to write.” It’s sure to lead to the memory of writing the rules on the chalkboard when you were being disciplined in the third grade or that great essay you wrote for your college newspaper.
As your skills develop, you won’t need the timer anymore. The words will simply come pouring out on the paper every time you sit down. As with any activity, though, if you don’t make time to journal, you won’t have the opportunity to do so. Schedule it on your daily planner, and you’ll surely begin to experience the positive benefits soon.
