The Benefits of Keeping a Journal

Yesterday, I bought my daughter her very first journal (or diary, whichever you prefer). Her entire life she has watched me write in journal after journal, sometimes she'll ask about what I'm writing, other times it doesn't even phase her. Then one day she decided she wanted one of her own, and now that she's able to write simple sentences I thought it would be a great time to buy one.

I received my first journal when I was in grade one, too. Who knew it would become a lifelong habit? I keep it with me at all times, and anytime an idea strikes me, or I hear someone say something interesting, come across a website or artist I want to look into or maybe I just need to get my feelings out, I grab my book and pen and write it down.
 

There are many great reasons for keeping a journal, whether it's filled with writing, collages or drawings, and here's why:

1. Keep track of your goals:

I often write down all of my goals in my journal. It helps me decide what's most important. Also, you can keep track of them much easier when they're written down. You can read over your progress as you continue to work through your goals, and figure out what's working and what isn't.

2. Get your feelings out:

Sometimes we have emotions that can be difficult to deal with. Writing them down can help clarify what's going on. I noticed for myself, once I write down what's bothering me I realize that it's really not as big of a deal as I thought it was inside my head. Or maybe you don't have anyone you can talk to comfortably and so writing it down in a journal is a great way to do that.

3. Your autobiography:

Maybe your journal won't be quite like the one written by Anne Frank, but it's a great way to be able to look back at your life and read from your own thoughts. For example, I find a lot of humor in my journals from high school and when I was pregnant (which was really the same time...) If you're comfortable with it, it might be interesting for your children to read when they're older. Or, maybe you'll become famous and someone might want to publish it like Nikki Sixx's Heroine Diaries!

4. Jot Down Ideas:

A journal is a great place to quickly jot down ideas that pop in your head whether it's for a work presentation, a new painting you'd like to start or a story idea.

Well, those are my top reasons.

Do you keep a journal? When did you start? And why do you continue to write in a journal?

 

Thanks,
Cole

 

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