Did anyone else have a journal when they were growing up? I know I did, well I actually had a lot of journals, like a lot. I don’t remember who got me started journaling, probably my dad or my old babysitter, Courtney, but my first memory of wanting to journal was after a family vacation in 4th grade. And I’ve kept one ever since.
I used to write every night, as I’ve gotten older that’s changed, while there are still times I write every day (or almost every day), I also go through long periods without writing at all, but it’s definitely something that’s still a big part of my life. I credit my love for writing to whoever gave me my first journal, but aside from learning to love writing, there are so many reasons why I still keep a journal.
Meditation // There’s something extremely meditative about sitting down with a pen and a journal and actually writing. It’s an excellent way to clear your mind, almost like you’re sharing your thoughts with someone else. When there’s a lot going on in my life, or I’m feeling overwhelmed, stressed or upset about something I find that grabbing a pen and writing it out is the only way to get it off my mind.
Reflection // Every time I pack/unpack from moving or go through old stuff at my parents house I inevitably find a journal and I love looking back through them. There are so many memories in them and I love being able to reflect on what I was going through when I sat down to write that day. My favorite journals are from my travels. I find that trips often turn into a blur in my memory, with the highlights sticking out, but when I journal during a trip I am as detailed as possible so going back through these and remembering everything from what I ate to what I saw that day is so enjoyable for me.
Unplug // this one is huge for me, my journals have always been hand written, so when I sit down to write it’s a time that I can completely unplug and wind down before going to sleep. Not only does it help me get into a better mindset before bed but it also, gets my eyes away from a screen and gives me a little break from social media, checking emails or texting and helps me relax at the end of the day.
Dream // One of the biggest reasons why I still keep a journal, especially during the past couple of years, is to track my dreams and goals. Journaling doesn’t have to be all about the past and your feelings. For me a huge part of journaling has been looking at the future, keeping inspiration and motivation nearby and helping me to set and reach my goals.
What about you, do you still keep a journal?
