First of all, journaling is simply a more stylish way of saying: keeping a diary .
This habit provides access to a database of memories and reference points that will always be useful and important for our present and future.
The beauty of journaling lies in its personalization .
You make the rules.
Everything from the topic to the writing style, from the time you devote to it to how you do it, is entirely up to you.
In the next few days, I'll write a post about how to start writing and some ideas for what you might write about.
There are five main reasons why I think you should try writing:
1. SELF-REFLECTION
The diary is yours and yours alone. That's why you can write about whatever you want, however you want.
No one will be able to read it if you don't want them to.
This luxury allows us to be completely honest, to truly question ourselves, to challenge ourselves, to see the changes, there in black and white.
Have you ever wondered what makes you... you? Well, write it down.
2. PERSONAL GROWTH
I recognize that starting to put your thoughts on paper and develop an internal dialogue is not always easy, but as always, practice, doing and trying again makes everything gradually easier.
Your handwriting speaks volumes; you can learn to notice moments of anger, happiness, and worry through your writing.
For this reason, leave computers and phones alone, a diary has always been written on paper.
Furthermore, keeping a journal over time will allow you to track and examine your growth as an individual, allowing you to step back and see how you've addressed past challenges or whether you're repeating mistakes. It could also provide a burst of inspiration when you need it most.
3. SET AND ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
This is a topic that is very close to my heart (it is no coincidence that you can find a dedicated post here on the blog: a guide to setting goals ).
Do you have a new work project you've been entrusted with? Are you thinking about starting your own business? Would you like to do something completely different with your life? Great, write it down.
Don't underestimate the power of commitment and self-realization. Writing down your goals, free from opinions and judgments, can be the perfect impetus to get started.
Write down everything: scattered ideas, steps to take, how you imagine it will be, lists, and anything else you might need. It's all there, ready to be reread, edited, and thought about again.
You will find that you will have a clearer picture of how to achieve your goals, after all writing is drawing with words .
4. RELIEVE STRESS
Keeping a journal during difficult times in your life allows you to transfer part of the burden onto the diary, allows you to let go, to break off little pieces.
At the same time, reserving our writing for the positive experiences that happen to us and what we are grateful for allows us to focus on our good fortunes, our successes and to revive our happy memories, simply by rereading the pages.
Writing releases energy, relaxes you, reduces the strain on your eyes like they would on a screen, and trains your mind. Another post I recommend on this topic is about the benefits of handwriting, here .
5. PRESERVE MEMORIES
Writing is taking your time, highlighting what matters to you, and, for example, keeping track of a special trip. Just like flipping through a photo album and rediscovering memories, rereading will allow you to relive your past in your own words, sometimes even more so than photos can convey.
To help you build your journaling habit, here are some tips:
- There are no strict deadlines for writing; you will write when inspiration and time allow.
- Always carry your journal and pen (in my case, pencil) with you, so that if that inspiration or that time comes, you will have everything you need.
- You'll be the only reader of your journal. If you want, of course.
- Be honest, there is no benefit in lying to yourself.
What do you need to get started? A notebook and a pen or pencil. Choose something you like, that's a pleasure to handle, that represents you.
Above all, take the utmost care of your diary because it will hold precious memories and thoughts.
Happy writing!
Cecilia
1 comment
Perfettamente d’accordo, è una pratica che ora mai è stata archiviata e sostituita da quelle poche righe che si scrivono sui social, estremamente attrattivi per le foto, le immagini e la possibilità di interagire. Ma scrivere ha un altro spirito…permettere di sfogliare pagine che hanno accolto riflessioni personali e ricordi che potranno facilmente riaffiorare leggendo e consegnare un presente destinato a diventare passato ad un oggetto che potrà essere conservato a futura memoria.