Journaling has been around for centuries. The Romans used it to write down their thoughts and feelings, and people still use them today. But is journaling beneficial? Is it a waste of time? Many experts claim that journaling is one of the most helpful practices a person can do. They say that it can be an excellent way for people to get to know themselves and reflect on their lives. Others say that these benefits cannot be proven because there have not been enough scientific studies.
Journaling is not a waste of time; it can help you plan the future and remember the past, track your habits, and keep you on track of your goals. Journaling is the least waste of time when you make a habit of maintaining it.
We have all heard the saying, “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well”. But is journaling really worth doing?
What is a Journal?
Journals can be a place for you to write down your memoir, a place for you to keep important information, or a place for you to jot down your personal thoughts and feelings. Some people like to use journals for all three purposes, while others write whatever comes to mind. Some people have one journal, while others have many.
What is journaling?
When people talk about journaling, they usually mean writing down their feelings and thoughts on paper. It can help include the date and time of the writing and the location to give it more context. Journals can be written with pen and paper or with a computer, as long as it is a place where you can freely express your thoughts.
It is common for people to keep a private journal and a public journal. Personal journals are usually physical and kept in a safe place. Public journals are online and typically have privacy settings.
The benefits of journaling
Is journaling worth it? That’s a question you may have asked yourself, especially if you’ve tried to keep a journal before and quickly abandoned it. But, believe it or not, there are many benefits to journaling that have nothing to do with writing itself. It has been proven that thinking about the future makes you less likely to engage in risky behavior; for example, it makes you want to save more money. And it also helps you document memories of the good times you’ve had.
Journaling can help you stay on top of things. It helps with planning and gives structure to your life. Whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, or just a busy person, time is probably the most limited resource you have. This is especially true for students who are expected to balance school, work, and social life while keeping up with their personal commitments.
When you’re short on time, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, making it difficult to accomplish anything. When you’re stressed and overwhelmed, it’s easy to fall into the habit of neglecting essential things that need to be done, like paying bills, keeping in touch with friends, and making plans for the future. This is where journaling can be helpful.
The cons of journaling
It seems like the benefits of journaling are endless. Studies have shown that it’s an effective way to manage stress, reduce pain, improve sleep, boost creativity, and more, making it a widespread practice in therapy and self-help communities. However, like most things in life, there is always a downside, and journaling is no exception.
In the case of journaling, the biggest negative is that it can take a lot of time. A 10-week study found that journaling for only 20 minutes a day led to a 20 percent improvement in mood, but it also noted that participants were also more likely to feel frustrated and guilty about their lack of time.
As the name suggests, journaling is a form of writing that allows you to document your day-to-day activities. Some people can get overwhelmed by writing something every day, but it shouldn’t. If you have nothing to write then do it some other time, although it is a good habit to do daily it should be something that comes to you, don’t think of it as a chore you have to do.
Many people have found that keeping a journal can be quick and easy to do. Once you’re in the habit, you will find it the same. Understanding that you only need to keep a journal for a few minutes every day can help you feel more motivated to start writing. You will get better every day you journal.
How to get started with journaling
While journaling can be as simple as writing down your thoughts in a notebook, there are many other intricate ways to get the most out of keeping a journal. Here are some suggestions on how to get started with journaling:
- Establish a regular routine—Nothing will kill your journaling habit faster than forgetting to do it regularly. Set aside the same time and place every day, and choose the same writing utensil. That way, it is easier to pick up where you left off if you are running late or have to miss a few days.
- Keep it simple, don’t get overwhelmed with the pictures of the artwork some people make of their journals. Stick to the basics of planning out your month, week, and day. If this works out, add a goal and habit tracking section. The art part can come when you feel like it and when you are into the habit of journaling daily.
How to Maintain a Journal
Anyone can start journaling: it doesn’t take any special skills, and you don’t need an expensive journal or pen. The important thing is to start writing; even if you start by just listing your daily activities or writing about your day or feelings, you’re on the right track. Keeping a journal is a great way to express your feelings, reflect on your life, find your inner voice, and learn more about yourself.
When it comes to journaling, it’s crucial to find a method that works with your schedule while still helping you reach your goals.
Alternative to Journaling
Unfortunately, journaling isn’t for everybody. This becomes painfully clear when you see a blank notebook, and you feel a sense of dread—or when you’re already struggling to stick to your existing journaling plan. One way to break the journaling habit and start a behavior that will help you achieve your goals is to replace journaling with a physical act requiring time, effort, and attention.
Alternatives you can think of are things like to-do lists, a calender, or keeping your notes on the fridge is a time proven way.
conclusion
keeping a journal is a very personal thing, and it’s not a skill that everyone has or that they even want to have. But if you’re going to keep a journal, there’s nothing stopping you. All you need is a notebook, a pen, and a bit of time every day. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but one thing we can say for sure is that it’s definitely worth doing.
I hope this blog post has given you some reasons why you should pick up a notebook and pen and start writing.