The practice of journaling is seen by many people as a therapeutic tool to pen down one’s inner thoughts and emotions. But, there's a belief in some quarters that giving a diary account of one's day-to-day life events can exhibit traits of narcissism. Self-reflection through journaling can indeed be beneficial in emotional processing and navigating challenging experiences. However, there exists a potential risk of succumbing too much into our consciousness, draining the truly enlightening experience that self-reflection offers.
What Is Narcissism?
Oftentimes, the terms narcissism and self-love are used synonymously. However, in the realm of clinical psychology, narcissism isn’t merely about self-love. It's classified as a personality disorder defined by entrenched patterns of grandiose self-image, intense desire for admiration and an evident deficit of empathy.
Those diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder typically display signs of entitlement, exaggerated self-worth, and an extreme sensitivity to critiques. Narcissism diagnosis is primarily observed in adults, with a notable prevalence among individuals who have undergone traumatic experiences ranging from physical or sexual abuses, desertion to severe negligence.
Evidence from various research indicates that the intensity of abuse endured by an individual serves as a risk factor for the onset of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
. Essentially, the harsher the abuse, the more they are susceptible to developing NPD.
What's the Connection Between Journaling and Narcissism?
The topic of journaling and narcissism invites much discussion. While some argue that journaling fosters narcissistic traits, others advocate for its therapeutic merits. The question if journaling can indeed be termed selfish remains inconclusive. But, it is crucial to delve into the subject to appreciate the intricate link between narcissism and the art of journaling.
A faction of people posit that journaling could pave the path to narcissism as it inflates the sense of uniqueness and significance. As a medium of self-expression, journaling could potentially inflate one's sense of self-worth. However, on the flip side, some suffer from narcissistic personality disorder which echoes an excessive sense of self-importance, deeply rooted in vanity or egotism.
It's a common presumption that journaling either fulfills one's need for attention or serves as a feel-good factor. But, is that really the reality? Numerous motivations to journal exist that are entirely detached from the concept of narcissism.
Five Indicators of Narcissism in Journaling
Journalling is typically regarded as a medium to enhance mental wellness, however, it stirs concern among some about its potential role as a catalyst for narcissism. Recent research findings hint at a possible correlation between journaling and egocentrism, suggesting that narcissists are more inclined to keep journals.
A number of behavioral patterns could possibly taint journaling with traits of narcissism, such as, using it as a platform to boast about achievements, to ponder upon physical appearance and nutrition, and to negatively pour out thoughts on relationships.
The five ways journaling can be narcissistic are:
- obsessing over personal details
- using journaling to seek validation from others
- bragging about accomplishments
- using journaling to manipulate others
- using journaling to avoid dealing with problems
1 Obsessing Over Personal Details
There is a big difference between keeping a journal for personal reflection and obsessively logging every detail of your life. The former can be healthy, while the latter may signify narcissistic tendencies.
If you find yourself constantly logging your activities, thoughts, and feelings, take a step back and ask yourself why. Are you doing it to gain control over your life or seek validation from others? If the answer is the latter, you may be dealing with narcissism.
People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are often obsessed with their own personal appearance, achievements, and relationships. They may also be preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited power, success, or attractiveness.
As a result, they often have an inflated sense of self-importance and a deep need for admiration, which takes us to the next point, using journaling to seek validation from others.
2 Using Journaling to Seek Validation from Others
Journaling can be a healthy way to process your thoughts and work through your emotions, but when you start using it as a way to seek validation from others, it can become narcissistic.
Making your journal into a public blog or sharing every detail of your life with others can be a need for admiration. You’re looking for other people to tell you that you’re doing a good job, that you’re worth their time, and that you’re attractive.
But the truth is, no one is interested in all the mundane details of your life. And even if they are, that doesn’t mean they think you’re amazing. Most people are just trying to live their own lives and don’t have time to listen to your long-winded stories.
3 Bragging About Accomplishments
It’s important to remember that journaling is about exploring your thoughts and feelings, not putting on a show for others. If you find yourself constantly bragging about your achievements in your journal, it might be time to re-evaluate why you’re keeping a journal in the first place.
Journaling can be a healthy way to process your thoughts and feelings, but it can also become a tool for self-promotion and narcissism if you’re not careful.
Journaling should be a space where you can be honest with yourself without worrying about what other people might think. If you’re constantly bragging about your accomplishments, then you’re not really allowing yourself to reflect on them critically. In addition, always bragging can make you appear arrogant and unapproachable.
Ultimately, whether or not you choose to brag about your accomplishments in your journal is up to you.
4 Using Journaling to Manipulate Others
When used to manipulate others, journaling can become a narcissistic tool.
Narcissists use journaling to build up their image as perfect and infallible. They may write about their many accomplishments or how wonderful they are as people, making other people look up to them and even envy them.
Narcissists may also use journaling to make themselves feel better when doing something wrong. They may write about how sorry they are for what they did and how much they regret it. This makes them feel like good people who made a mistake instead of evil people who do bad things on purpose.
5 Using Journaling to Avoid Dealing with Problems
When used to avoid dealing with problems, journaling can be a form of narcissism. Journaling can become a way to avoid taking personal responsibility for our lives and instead focus on our thoughts and feelings. This can be harmful because it keeps us from dealing with the real issues in our lives.
It is important to remember that journaling is not a replacement for therapy or other forms of professional help. If we are struggling with mental health issues, journaling may not be enough to help us address and solve these problems.
Is Self-Reflection Narcissistic?
Self-reflection is a powerful tool that can help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings. It can also allow us to identify patterns in our behavior and understand why we do the things we do. While self-reflection can be beneficial, there is a risk that it can become narcissistic.
When we focus too much on ourselves, we can lose sight of the bigger picture and begin to think that we are the center of the universe. Self-reflection can also become a tool to avoid taking responsibility for our actions. Instead of taking responsibility, we can blame others, deny our feelings and behaviors, or even blame ourselves.
Conclusion
People have long believed that journaling has mental health benefits. But a recent study suggests that there may be a link between journaling and narcissism. The study, published in the journal Self and Identity, found that people who are high in narcissism are more likely to keep a daily journal.
If you think you might be dealing with narcissism, it’s essential to get help. The first step is to admit that there’s a problem and seek out professional counseling. This can be an extremely difficult process, but it can ultimately lead to a better quality of life. Narcissism is a complex disorder that requires treatment from a professional who understands these issues.
