6 Science-Based Reasons to Start Journaling Now

Learn to crush stress, become more self-aware, and improve Creativity.

Photo by The Creative Exchange on Unsplash

Being a writer, I have kept many journals throughout the years. When I was sixteen and wanted to be just like Stevie Nicks, I kept a songwriting journal. I’ve kept dream journals where I would jot down my nighttime dreams and poetry journals.

When I first started journaling, I only wrote about cheerful things. I thought if anyone reads this, they’ll see how happy I am. I would sit and tap my pen, searching my mind for long, sophisticated sentences, as well. Onlookers might think — wow, she’s a brilliant writer. Neither strategy served me, and nobody has ever read my journals. So there’s that. They’re not that interesting to anyone else, so I told myself to drop all the pretenses and just free-write. Jot down whatever comes to mind. Don’t edit. Don’t judge. It took me a while. I had to put my editor in a timeout which helped.

“Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind.” — Natalie Goldberg, Author and Speaker

Journaling involves the practice of keeping a journal that explores thoughts and feelings surrounding the events of your life. There are several ways to do this…