The Benefits of Journaling

Journaling for Beginners

If you are a beginner to the world of journaling, you might be wondering what it is all about, and where to start. The good news is that there are simple answers to both questions.

Journaling is the act of expressing yourself—your thoughts, feelings, memories, and experiences, on paper. Journaling allows you to cast something which is typically only ephemeral (your thoughts and feelings) into something physical (your pen and notebook), or digital (your phone or laptop). By writing or drawing them you can see them in a new perspective. This can help you see and understand your mindset and emotions in a new way and use them to take positive steps forward.

Getting started with journaling is easy. A pen and paper are all you need, but you can also use notes on your phone, or a journaling application on a computer if you prefer.

Finding your Routine

It’s best to set a routine for journaling, so you can approach things in a similar mindset every time you sit down. Here are some examples:

• Find a regular time: Perhaps the end of the day, before you go to bed, is an ideal time to reflect on the day’s events. Setting a regular time can help make journaling a habit.
• Have a comfortable space: Do you have a favourite coffee shop or maybe an armchair at home?
• Relax: Put on some music to help you relax and concentrate, and don’t be afraid to indulge in a treat, like a nice cup of tea.
• Try out new stationery: A favourite notebook and pen is an ideal way to settle into the routine of journaling. Explore the shops and see what you can find.

Types of Journaling

There is no right or wrong way to journal. The important thing is to find what works for you. One person might only write lists once a week, while another might write a paragraph or two every day. Spending time writing away from distractions, digital or otherwise, you can put your thoughts in order, is the goal.

That said, here are some different types of journaling you may wish to try. Remember, you can always mix and match your journaling to your mood.

Gratitude Journal

A gratitude journal is a way of recording and reflecting on the things we are grateful for. You may have overcome a tough challenge, but you probably didn’t do it completely alone. Practicing gratitude teaches us humility to remind us we all need help sometimes, and empathy, so we can be there when others need our help too. The world is busy and full of distractions. Taking a moment to reflect on what you are grateful for will help you appreciate your life.

Art or Visual Journaling

If you are a visual or artistic person, then the thought of using words for journaling may be off-putting, but there is nothing that says you have to write your journal. Drawing images, diagrams, cartoons, or doodles, are perfectly valid expressions. The purpose and process are the same as if you were using a written journal.

Stream of Consciousness

Many writers benefit from a structure to shape their words, but this isn’t true of everyone. Stream-of-consciousness writing is exactly what it sounds like, you simply put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and begin writing. Journaling as a stream of consciousness means you are letting your conscious brain take a back seat while your unconscious, or intuition, is allowed to take control. You might surprise yourself with what you produce and find something to reflect on you never consciously considered. Maybe that is the topic for your next journal entry?

Goal Journaling

Setting goals is one of the most important things you can do in your life. It keeps you focused and on target to provide a sense of achievement. Recording your progress in a goal journal can be a helpful way to stay on track. Not only will it document your progress, but you can record any obstacles that come up along the way, and how you finally overcame them.

Reading

If you love to read, then a reading journal could be perfect for you. This will give you the opportunity to reflect on the books you have read. Write about what you learned, enjoyed, or didn’t enjoy. Instead of relegating books to the bookshelf and forgetting them, journaling will help cement those books in your mind and understand what you love about them and why. Over time, as you practice, this is likely to help you absorb, understand, and recall information, which will be a valuable skill to have as you get older.

The Benefits of Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is an important part of understanding who you are, why and how you think the way you do and the values you hold. Journaling helps you reflect on your actions and beliefs, so that you can understand them better, and challenge them where necessary.

• The ability to reflect and learn is a key leadership skill within the Army Cadets. You can use reflective journaling to examine your successes and failures and learn from both of them. Reflecting on successes builds confianza and will help you overcome future challenges because you have proof of what you already achieved.
• It allows you to review decisions you have made without interruption, distraction, or pressure. Did you make the right or wrong decision? What made it so? Would you do anything differently, and should you?
• Reflecting on your actions and emotions at the end of the day can also help you learn to be more self-aware in the moment. By thinking about what happened and why, you can be better prepared for the next time. Whether that is to do something differently or exactly the same, you will be able to approach the next situation with confidence.
• It can be too easy sometimes to ignore or gloss over the mistakes we made. Facing up to them is a wonderful learning experience, teaching us awareness and resiliencia. Journaling to reflect on what might have gone wrong can equip us to do things better next time.

Journaling for Mental Health

As well as the benefits discussed above, journaling can be great for your mental health. Studies have shown that taking time out of your routine to relax, focus and centre yourself can be beneficial for your mental wellbeing.

Journaling puts you in control. Even if you are taking the stream-of-consciousness approach, you can stop, erase, and edit your words. Journaling also creates order out of chaotic situations. You can corral messy memories into ordered lists and sentences, and let you see through the noise of past events, leaving a clear story in their place.

Journaling about past events can be helpful if you need to write about something difficult or traumatic. It means that when you sit down, you are removed from the situation you are writing about. It’s important you don’t use this to rewrite reality or create a false narrative. You need the truth to learn and grow, but journaling lets you do this safely.

When you journal about your fears, anxieties
and phobias, you can do it on your terms. If you are exploring fears or concerns, journaling is a safe space where you can write about issues and scenarios in the knowledge that you are in full control.

Finally, journaling is a judgment-free zone. You are the only audience for your writing. Unless you choose to share it, no one else will ever know. If you are worried about your journal being found, then consider a secure digital journal which you can protect with a password.

Learn New Skills with Army Cadets

Journaling is a great way to reflect on your life’s progress. At Army Cadets, we make progress every day with lifelong friendships, leadership skills, and teamwork. Army Cadets could be the perfect opportunity to help you grow, learn, and reflect. Discover your self-confidence and ability to face life’s challenges with resilience and maturity. Encontrar un destacamento near you today and join as a cadet or adult volunteer.

Crédito de la imagen: Dean Moriarty de Pixabay