Journaling, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is simply “a record of experiences, ideas, or reflections kept regularly for private use”. In this day and age, journaling has lost its value due to technology and digital functionality. However, people often fail to recognize that keeping a daily journal has played a vital role in the lives of prolific and successful people. Although extremely simple, journaling has been used by the most brilliant inventors and writers. Did you know that Thomas Edison, George Washington, and Mark Twain were few among the countless influential persons that decided to utilize the art of journaling? Even famous Olympians, including Katie Ledecky and Eluid Kipchoge, dedicated their time into a daily journal. With these facts in mind comes the question: What makes journaling so important? Why have the world’s greatest thinkers decided to integrate journaling into their lives?
While there are several benefits to journaling, specific points support the idea that this little activity, if done once a day, may change one’s life. Here are the 4 best effects that journaling can have on you:
- Journaling is a method of releasing any stress, anxiety, and emotions. It allows you to write down your thoughts and feelings. Being able to clear your mind, even on paper, works wonders on your mental health.
- Journaling encourages positivity. When someone is writing, it comes naturally to want to add a good moment of the day. Even after a horrible day, sitting down and reminiscing over daily events can open your eyes to the unnoticed good that occurred. If each morning one reminds themselves that they need to journal about something positive, it encourages them to detect the happy times and make the most of their day.
- Journaling is good for the memory. As a person develops, their thoughts change, along with their beliefs and memories. Looking back at journal entries serves as a reminder of who you were and who you are becoming.
- Journaling teaches and reveals growth. Being able to write down one or two thoughts and aiming to add at least one positive feeling can work wonders over time. While your journaling skills begin to blossom, so does the inner state of the mind. When you are having a bad day, glancing at previous entries presents an opportunity to be motivated by progress and learn from the “past” you.
Amidst the busyness of school, work, or important activities, journaling seems fun, yet not a priority. It is difficult to take time for oneself to write on and on about the thoughts they already know. Nevertheless, journaling does not have to be so deep and complicated. To soak in the potential goodness that journalism brings, all you need is one sentence. ONE SENTENCE A DAY. Thus, journalism becomes easy and fun. It is not a task, rather a time to recognize the success, the emotions, and the blessings that happened all within a day.
The power that comes from one sentence is profoundly meaningful.
