To me, journalling was always something teenagers did on TV, that was, until about a year ago when I downloaded a journaling app called Day One.
Since then I’ve journaled on and off, when I’m journaling consistently I notice myself thinking clearer, more complete thoughts. Going through the day I’m constantly distracted and will always have fleeting thoughts which excite me, and usually ends up as a brief note which disappears into the void of my notes app. Journaling isn’t a solution to that problem, I dont journal for productivity per sè. I journal to improve my thought and mental health, it provides a platform to discuss my problems open and honestly with myself.
My brain uses the pen or keyboard as a mouthpiece for everything that is simmering, the low level stressors which sit below your level of consciousness. These issues arent any more noticeable than an uncomfortable chair; you shift positions unconsciously several times and next thing you know 5 hours has gone past and your back is in agony. You dont notice the effect that these low level stressors have on your life until its too late. Journalling is a chance for accessible introspection which allows you to draw these stressors into your consciousness, and problem solve them, every day, before they become a problem.
The beauty of a journal which doesnt get seen by anyone else is that it doesnt require any thought going into it, you dont need proper grammer, neat handwriting and most importantly, you can share your deepest thoughts in there, without judgement.
When I’m journalling, I like to get it done as quick as possible. Taking inspiration from Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones I have been using my journal to do morning pages, essentially a stream of consciousness for 5-10mins where you don’t stop to edit anything, you just let your brain go where it wants to. the beauty of this is three fold:
- Its quick
- Theres no pressure to produce something good, a common problem for perfectionists
- After some practice, your brain will go to the areas it needs to work out, and your problems will rise to the surface and you’ll often come up with an solution without even knowing it
I think a final very important point is that i’ve found you dont need to do it every day, but trying to do it a few times a week i’ve noticed a lot of benefit, and if i’m ever feeling stressed or have a problem i’m not sure how to fix, I’ll sit down and write it out, and more often than not i’ll leave that 10mins with much more clarity than I began with.
I’d definitely recommend giving it a try, even if you aren’t convinced it would help you, try doing it a few times a week for 2-3 weeks and I guarantee you’ll find yourself thinking through problems clearer and not letting those low level stressors affect your relationships, study or life more generally.
Harrison Hansford 