Journaling: Why it Matters

Isn’t it so quick how the year has passed by? In just a week, a new year has begun. If you have not started thinking about new year resolutions, perhaps journaling should be one of yours this year!

In the spirit of self-care and mindfulness, journaling has become a rising trend among people nowadays, with many opting to journal whenever they have the time. But when it comes down to it, not many actually do it or discontinue to do so after a period of time.

However, did you know that journaling can be good for both your mental and physical health? Psychotherapist F Diane Bath writes how processing your emotions can boost your immune system. Hopefully through this blog post, you will begin to see how journaling might change your life in more ways than one and start by trying to journal consistently.

1. Organization

Perhaps the most striking reason to journal is organization. Writing helps to keep your thoughts organized and articulates feelings and emotions. If you’re having a difficult time and don’t know who to turn to, journaling can help you to express your feelings freely and as much as you want to, without judgment from others. If you’re having a hectic time at work or school, journaling keeps your thoughts organized and takes your mind off things. It is also a healthy record to let your past self know what you’ve been through and how strong you were during those tough times.

2. Stress-Relief

Complimenting the art of organization, journaling can be a total stress reliever. I recommend playing some piano or lo-fi tunes to accompany your journaling time, and maybe light a candle or two if you’re journaling at night to set the mood. Place your worries and doubts right on the page. As the saying goes, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself”, and journaling can help you do just that.

3. Self-Reflection

When the pandemic first hit, I’m sure many of us did not expect ourselves to spend so much time at home, trying out new recipes and learning new skills to fill our time. But how many of us actually reflected? Well, not to worry if we did not find time to reflect in 2020 as 2021 can be the year to do so! With journaling, you are not only able to organize and articulate your thoughts, you become more aware of why you were feeling them in the first place. Ask yourself questions and ponder - what could you have done differently? Doing this every day not only helps with self-development, but it also makes you more self-aware and confident to face tomorrow.

How do I start?

Journaling might seem simple, but it is difficult especially since many drop out of the routine after some time. To ensure that you get the most out of journaling, consistency is key. Here are some tips for you to follow:

• Set a time daily for journaling

We recommend doing this at night after your day has ended, preferably before you turn in. This helps you to reflect on the day’s happenings and encourages a quiet mental state before sleeping. On days when you feel too exhausted, schedule your journaling time right after dinner or anytime in the evening when you are more rested.

• You don’t have to write

Who says that journaling ought to be filled with words and nothing else? Everyone has different ways of journaling and expressing their thoughts. Instead of writing, you can opt to draw or colour to describe your day. Pick a song or a favourite verse if you don’t have anything to describe!

• There is no structure

Seriously, journaling is not an assignment and it should not be treated like one! Write literally anything that comes into your mind. For those who really need a structure, we recommend starting by journaling how your day went, how you felt, and what you would have done differently. But seriously, it’s up to you to decide.

• Set the mood

We recommend playing some soft tunes in the background while you’re journaling. If you would like for us to recommend a playlist, let us know in the comment section below and we might just grant you one!

Other great resources for Journaling!

Still lost and not sure where to begin? Not to worry, for CNMTypes has got you covered. Here are some apps and websites which we think are amazing for journaling.

• Notion (The journaling page keeps you super organized! Read here for our previous post on Notetaking with Notion)

• Day One

• Momento

• Evernote

• Penzu

Journaling doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, it can be man’s best friend (apart from your dog). It’s never too late to start journaling, you never know how much it will bring by the end of the year!

From our CNMTypes family to you, we hope that this 2021 will bring you great joy and happiness.

Happy New Year! :-)