Journaling is a written record of your thoughts, ideas, experiences, and observations. It can be done in words or drawings. There are no rules to journaling. Journaling can serve a range of purposes. Because I like lists and the number 10, I will use the rest of this blog to inform you about journaling in lists of 10! Lists are one way to journal.
10 Benefits of Journaling
- Clarify your thoughts and feelings so you can better understand your emotions.
- Helps you know yourself better including what you value in life.
- Helps you feel calmer and reduce stress as you let go of intense feelings.
- Solve problems more effectively
- Helps you understand another point of view so you can empathize with others and resolve you disagreements better.
- Helps you manage anxiety and depression.
- Improves your own self worth
- Encourages positive thinking
- Stimulates mindfulness
- Increases your creativity
10 Techniques for Journaling
- Free Writing: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write whatever comes to your mind
- Letter Writing(unsent):
- Art: Combine art & words to express yourself
- Gratitude: Write what you are grateful for
- Prose & Poetry
- Writing Prompts: Use a prompt to get you started writing
- Mind Mapping: A graphical way to show ideas and thoughts similar to a writing organizer web you may have done in English class growing up.
- Character Sketch
- Captured Moment
- List Making
10 Writing Prompts
- Write about a dream vacation you wish you could take.
- Write about what your life looks like in 5 years.
- Describe a place that makes you happy.
- Write about someone you miss.
- Write about something you enjoyed this past week.
- Describe what a perfect day would be for you.
- Write about how you think others see you.
- Describe the good qualities you have.
- Describe your favorite season and what makes it special.
- Write about an amazing moment from your past.
10 Lists to Create
(For list you can challenge yourself by picking a number of items you want to list . Some common numbers used are 3, 5, 10, and 100.)
- Things you are grateful for
- Things that make you happy
- Things you want to do
- Things you love
- Things you’ld like to change about your life
- Self Care activities you want to do
- Things you have overcome in your life
- Favorite books
- Music you find inspiring
- Favorite things to smell
With so many ways to journal, there is likely to be a way that fits your style and personality. There is no right or wrong way to journal. I encourage you to pick an idea and give it a try!
Here is a link to my maven board with supply ideas for journaling. This is an affiliate link where I receive compensation for your purchase. Thank you for helping to support me.
