Journaling is one of the things recommended by many people as a form of self-expression and mindfulness. Journaling is “simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.” It can help someone gain control of their emotions and improve their mental health. It is useful for those with anxiety, depression, and stress.
Benefits of Journaling
- Manage anxiety
- Reduce stress
- Cope with depression
- Identify negative thoughts and behaviors
- Opportunity with positive self-talk
- Prioritize problems and concerns
- Track symptoms and recognize triggers
How to Start
It may be hard to know where to start and how to continue the journaling process. Hence, we have gathered a few tips on where you can start –
- Where are you right now?
Talk about where you are now in terms of headspace, living, dreams, goals, and more. You can then go on with writing about where you want to be – where you aspire to go from here.
- Stream of Consciousness
For a couple of minutes, write absolutely everything on your mind – no filter and no censor.
- Gratitude
You can write a list of things you are grateful for every day. Another thing would also be adding inspirational quotes that resonate with you.
- Self-Portraits
Put in pictures and drawings into your journal. That way, you can channel your creativity and personalize your journaling process!
- Nature
You can help yourself by writing things you notice about the nature around you – the moon, the weather, the sky, and more.
- Successes
You can write all kinds of success here – whether they are big or small. Starting off with your daily achievements is a great idea!
- Music
Write down lyrics or lists of your favorite songs! You can also even write down how they make you feel.
- Struggles
Write about any situation or event that disturbed you. It can help you release some of what you are feeling.