The Joys of Pen and Paper: Keeping a Journal
Keeping a journal is simple and it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself. In the second part of this series, The Joys of Pen and Paper looks at how you can create a sacred personal space for yourself through the habit of journalling. (Read Part 1)
Dear Reader,
When I was child, I used to write in a journal every now and then. The habit of writing regularly in a journal only came about in recent years when I started keeping a journal again. Even though the accounts of my childhood are few, I’m glad I made an attempt to keep a record of my life back then.
My childhood journals mostly contained random, short accounts of what happened on a particular day. Reading musings and thoughts from more than a decade ago brings back a lot of emotions. In the last few pages of one of my journals, I even found a cliffhanger:
It’s nice to write everything out and see the pages fill up with words and scribbles. But, why keep a journal?
I didn’t think much about the reason until I picked up journalling again. A few years ago, I found my way back when a friend gave me a blank notebook and fountain pen. It was during a challenging period of my life when having someone (or something) to confide in was what I needed most.
With a book and pen in hand, I opened the first page and poured out my thoughts and feelings. I didn’t think much about what I was doing except that I had a lot to get out of my mind. It was a great moment of catharsis. As the pen moved along the page, my heavy feelings lifted. And so, that marked my return to keeping a journal.
Your Very Own Space
A journal is unique to the person keeping it. Everyone expresses themselves differently. You don’t always have to write long, wordy journal entries. It’s just one way to keep a journal. There are other approaches to journalling. For example, the Bullet Journal method has seen interest from people from all walks of life. This method combines record-keeping with productivity.
The Therapeutic Feeling of “Dear Diary…”
During tough times, it’s comforting when someone offers a listening ear. But what if you don’t have anyone to talk to, or perhaps you are uncomfortable with sharing sensitive thoughts or experiences with someone else?
Like speaking with a friend, journalling can help you reframe and process your thoughts. I find that when I take the time to sit down and write in my journal, I can keep calm and carry on with life.
According to psychotherapist Dr Lucy Beresford, journalling is one way to pay attention to what is going on in your life:
“Life is so busy and it can go in a blur. Spending a few minutes taking a note of the little things can be very therapeutic.”
For instance, I’ve found that writing in my journal helps me manage stressful situations. As the importance of mental health and well-being grows, journalling has returned to the spotlight as one of the most affordable and accessible forms of self-care. All you need is time, pen, paper and somewhere to write.
Making it a habit to write down little details about your day can also be good for your emotional health, given how journalling can be adapted to complement various aspects of your life. As part of self-care, keeping a journal also helps improve productivity, personal development and fosters creativity and a sense of self-satisfaction.
A Sanctuary for Your Thoughts and Feelings
Tucked away and kept for your eyes only, you can express yourself without having to worry about being judged in your journal. Within the pages of a notebook, you can create a personal space where you can be authentically yourself.
Traditional journals require pen and paper. But you don’t have to limit yourself to that. With the many thoughtfully-designed journalling apps available, you can express yourself in a digital journal, attach photos, voice recordings, videos and more. If you haven’t kept a diary before, it’s simple to begin one. You can even print a free diary to have a taste of the journalling experience.
Regardless of how you write your journal, remember that it is a safe space where you can embrace your clumsiness and little quirks. Recording your silly moments can help you see how you’ve grown over the years. Years later, returning to these moments will be like sitting down to a bonus feature viewing of your past.
Let your imagination open up new ways to incorporate journalling into your life. The possibilities are endless! If you want to find out more, here are some interesting titles from NLB’s eBook collection:
From left to right:
Heart, Sass & Soul — Greta Solomon | eBook
Beyond Bullets — Megan Rutell | eBook
Make Anything Happen — Carrie Lindsey | Physical Copy, eBook
Design the Life You Love — Ayse Birsel | eBook
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Text by
Giselle Lim
National Library Board
