Journaling is Your New Best Friend
Dear Diary…
by WAVERLY BRANNIGAN ★ JANUARY 9, 2023
It’s no secret that it can be challenging to communicate emotion. Maybe you’ve had a long day and want to tell your roommate that you need time to yourself but can’t figure out how to tell her without sounding mean. Or, you could have the burning desire to tell your crush how much you like them but don’t want to sound obsessive. Fortunately, there’s one surefire way to pour your emotions out in an unfiltered, personal environment to set yourself up for success in any scenario. What is it? Journaling!
The first step to journaling is also one of the most fun—shopping for supplies. Of course, you will need a notebook or journal, along with colorful pens and pencils. There are endless brands and styles to choose from, but Papier is an all-time favorite. Their products are very high quality and have the coolest designs for all aesthetics. You can also make a Target run or place a quick Amazon order, where they have a full-price range of options and plenty of pens and pencils to choose from. However, always make sure you choose a journal design that best exemplifies you and your personality. The more you like your journal, the more you will want to use it.
Next, you have to get used to writing in your journal. Start by setting a loose schedule for when you will actually write and find a space that you feel comfortable in, whether it's a comfy beanbag chair or your desk. Devote a certain amount of time to writing, which can even be just a few minutes a day. Then, break out your brand-new writing supplies and design a cool cover page inside your journal to better personalize it. This can be as simple as your name written in bubble letters, or you can showcase your artistic side and fill the page with doodles. After this, you should turn to a clean page and try to start writing. You don’t even have to get right into your feelings, but start by writing what you did during your day. As you get into the groove, your emotions will eventually flow onto the pages.
Credit: Pinterest
Once you are used to writing in your journal and have established it as a habit, you can explore different things to write about. Instead of simply talking about your day, flip to a later page and write a note to your future self. Say something positive or funny that will make you smile when you find it a few weeks later. If you don’t feel like writing anything at all, that’s totally okay. Fill a page up with stickers, or devote a few to making a collage with photos or polaroids.
You can even write things that aren’t necessarily for yourself. You can write a love letter or a set of poems (it’s completely up to you if you ever want to send said letter, but getting it on paper can be very therapeutic). Making a bulleted list of your likes and dislikes can also remind you about the positives to focus on in your life. One of the easiest ways to get yourself writing is by ranting—whatever is on your mind, spill! Your journal won’t tell. The most important thing is to work toward using your journal at least once daily to maintain the habit.
Putting pen to paper can be one of the best ways to get your emotions out. Writing about how you’re feeling allows for more thoughts to flow until you have a better grasp on how to handle them. With journaling as part of your daily routine, you can track your progress and goals, gain self-confidence, relieve stress and anxiety, and even gain communication skills and find inspiration, among so much more. You might be left with messy, scribble-filled pages, but if you learn how to tune in to your thought process, figuring out your feelings will be easier than ever imagined. So, start writing, and your growth may just surprise you.
Cover Photo Credit: Pinterest