5 Reasons Why Journal Writing Needs to Be at the Top of Your To-Do List

Journal writing is the modern version of keeping a diary.  So, do you remember keeping a diary as a child? And, do you remember that some diaries had a little lock to keep nosy siblings and mom from reading your hopes, dreams, and frustrations?

I kept a diary during high school but moved up to a “big girl” journal in college.  And, I have kept a journal on and off since freshman year in college.  Yes, there was a time that I stopped journaling because someone read my journal and was dumb enough to tell me all that I wrote.  Obviously, that person is no longer my friend.  And, you guessed it—the violation of my privacy kept me from journaling for a long time. 

Why I Journal Write

Even though my privacy was violated, journal writing was too much a part of me for me to give it up.  When I stopped writing in my journal, I wasn’t as effective in many areas of my life as I know I could be.  And, these beautiful words of William Wordsworth would haunt me when I slacked off, “Fill your paper with the breathing of your heart.”

“Fill your paper with the breathing of your heart.” –William Wordsworth

Isn’t that a powerful quote? 

So, I continue to journal write.  For a while, I used my computer for easy reference and to save paper.  And, yeah, to keep prying eyes away.  However, here’s an interesting thing.  I am back to pen and paper journal writing primarily to regain recognizable handwriting.  But more importantly, I can enjoy the ways that handwriting positively affects my brain even if I only do it for 20 minutes a day. 

So, here are the reasons why I journal and I think you should too:

One: Journal Writing Helps to Record My Important Life Events

So, I think that we can all agree that making history a mandatory class is a good idea.  Well, journal writing documents many of my important life events.  Essentially, my journal writing is the History of Dee.  Many of my important life events include:

• Graduating from high school
• Moving away from a nice warm St Thomas to a very cold Ohio to go to college
• Getting married
• Graduating from college
• Filing for divorce
• Moving to a new state for a first job, and
• Being at the gym when the events of 9/11 unfolded on the TV

You get this, right?  And, there are pages and pages of all of those events.  So, our lives are filled with joys, disappointments, lessons, and people we meet along this journey called life.  And, what is the best way to capture those events and lessons learned?

Journal writing, of course.

Two: Journal Writing Helps Me to Chart My Goals and Progress

So, many people keep their goals and plans in their heads.  However, writing down your goals in your journal reminds you of what you want to achieve and what you need to do to get there. 

And, here is another reason why this is important.  We get many great ideas but they vanish almost immediately because we did not write them down.  One of my favorite Bible verses that helps me to assess how well I’m doing with my goals is, “You have gone around this hill country long enough; now turn north.” Deuteronomy 2:2,3; New International Version. 

I use this as a journal prompt to help me sort through the mental clutter as to why I’m not making progress and what I need to reset.

“You have gone around this hill country long enough; now turn north.” Deuteronomy 2:2,3; New International Version.

Three: Journal Writing Clears My Mind and Improves My Focus

This is probably one of the best reasons for journal writing!  So, how does this work? Well, there are two ways that work really well. 

First, you can do a brain dump.  A brain dump is simple way to get all of your thoughts, ideas, and feelings out of your head.  If you don’t get them out of your head, they will keep replaying in your head and haunt you.

For example, I do a major brain dump of all the things I want or need to do once a week.  Then, I do a mini brain dump every morning. 

Major Categories for Brain Dumping

I make a list of major categories like:

• Writing
• Classes
• Meetings
• Emails & phone calls
• Home chores
• Errands
• Personal
• Miscellaneous

Then, I write a list of things that need to be done in each category,

Second, you can clear your mind with journal prompts.  A journal prompt is a question or statement that helps you to describe, explain, or process an idea or feeling.  It’s also a great way to get you writing when you don’t know where to start.

So, how does a journal prompt work?  Well, you write the question or statement down and then you respond. For example, some of my favorite journal prompts are:

• What are you afraid might happen if you don’t get what you want?
• How might your emotions work against you today?
• Today, I am thankful for . . .

In future posts, I will give you some awesome journal prompts to help you deal with different situations!

Four: Journal Writing is Good for My Mental Health

Journal writing is great for my mental health because it gives me insights about me.  Essentially, as I write, I am having a conversation with myself.  Yes, you are familiar with the voices in your head, but journal writing also listens to the voices in your heart, soul, and spirit.

So, do you want to be really honest with yourself?  Then, journal writing is a must.  You can wear a mask around others and give them a fake smile, but you can’t do that with journal writing.  Oh, no. 

Let me break this down a little more.  When I don’t write in my journal for a while, I know that I am avoiding a heart-to-heart talk with myself. And, when I get back to writing, I bring all of me and I am vulnerable. The bottom line is that I show up to face myself and Dee and Coco work together to get insights about things like:

• Why am I procrastinating?
• What’s causing my late-night eating?
• How can I take better care of myself?
• Why do I say yes when I really should say no?
• What needs to come off of my really long to-do list? And, why?

Answering these questions are going to be tough without self-reflection (or therapy).  And, because you want to live your best life and show up for the battles, journal writing becomes a necessity rather than an option.

Five: Journal Writing Tracks My Personal Growth and Development

As you know, time flies and life comes at you fast.  And, if you don’t stop to process some of these events, you can remain anxious, frustrated, angry, and disappointed.  Additionally, journal writing helps you to go back and see the progress you have made. 

So, why is this important?  Well, we tend to focus more on what didn’t work rather than the awesome things that did work.  So, go back and read about the times that you crushed it, nailed it, and kicked ass!  However, you can’t go back and read about those great times if you did not write them down. 

And, I’m not stopping here.  There are times that your journal writing should be about gratitude.  So, even on a tough day, find the time to record at least 5 things that you are thankful for. 

Now, It’s Your Turn

So, I hope that you will make journal writing an important part of your day.  I usually do it in the morning as a part of my devotion, prayer, and meditation practice.  And, this really helps me to focus and prioritize what I need to target that day. 

Additionally, I am trying to journal write before bed so that I can process where I felt stuck during the day.  But more importantly, I use it to celebrate my big and small wins.  I am grateful for the practice of journal writing.

Please don’t wait to buy a fancy journal to get started.  You can write in any notebook.  And, journal writing on your computer, phone, or tablet can also work for well.  Just get started!

1. How do you think journal writing can help you?
2. What prevents you from journal writing or doing it consistently?
3. When will you start journal writing?

We look forward to hearing about your experience with journal writing.  And, you can join the conversation on the Keep It Tight Sisters Facebook Page.

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