I was 10 years old when I saw Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. One thing that stuck with me was how Tom Riddle’s diary played a major role in the plot (if you know, you know). That kickstarted my interest in journaling. As I got older, life happened and often, I came back to the pages to sort and dump my thoughts and emotions.
I did not realise that journaling is such an important part of my life until a few months ago. I am not a regular journaler. In fact, I saw that when it comes to my hobbies, my interests depend on my mood. For instance, one month I could go without reading a single book and the other month, I would be reading 7 books back to back. It’s the same with journaling. One week, I could journal multiple times a day, and then leave and come back weeks later.
I have found that I function better this way. And so, I decided to stick to it for the time being.
Now the real question is: Why do I journal?
Well, let’s dive into the reasons:
🧠 Greater Mental Clarity
I believe all of us can accept the fact that journaling helps with mental clarity. Most of us journal to pen down our feelings for emotional release and thought organisation. It is a very powerful and effective act and results in greater mental clarity and understanding of certain stuff we might be struggling with. Journaling is a great way to not only pen down your emotions and thoughts but also keep logs of your days. As days go by, certain experiences get covered up with newer ones. By writing about your days, you would have records of all your experiences to refer to, at a later time.
🤫 Cathartic Privacy
Being a private person, journaling plays a cathartic role in my life while keeping my privacy intact. There are certain things in my life that I like keeping private, but that also means that it decreases the amount of cathartic outlets. So, journaling comes as a feasible solution in this case. There are many unspoken discourses in our lives. Journaling is there to save you. As stated in the previous point, it is a great way to put down your thoughts and emotions. Catharsis is important for self-growth. Doing so while keeping my privacy intact is phenomenal, all thanks to journaling.
💭 Reflecting Back
This is no secret. Journaling is a great way to keep records of your experiences and thought processes. Just recently, I was going through my previous journals and I came across entries that I have even forgotten the experience. The act of recording these reflections not only preserves memories but also provides a unique opportunity for introspection and personal growth.
🙂 Enhancing Expression
Journaling invariably aids in enhancing self-expression. By consistently writing down your thoughts and feelings, you develop a deeper understanding of them, which in turn can lead to improved articulation of your emotions and ideas. This process can greatly improve your ability to express yourself in your daily life and interactions with others.
👀 Building Blocks of Self-Awareness
Journaling can significantly contribute to the building blocks of self-awareness. As you journal, you are essentially having a conversation with yourself. It provides an opportunity to introspect and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and actions. This process encourages you to confront truths about yourself, including your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Over time, you start to recognize patterns in your behaviour and thinking. Recognizing these patterns can give you a better understanding of yourself and your reactions to different situations. Ultimately, this heightened self-awareness can lead to personal growth and better decision-making.
Final Take
Journaling is more than just a hobby or a pastime for me. It’s a tool for self-discovery, emotional release, and personal growth. The process of putting pen to paper and translating thoughts into words offers a unique form of therapy and a way to explore the inner workings of my mind. I’ve found that it enhances my mental clarity, provides a private platform for catharsis, allows me to reflect on my past experiences, enhances my ability to express myself, and contributes significantly to my self-awareness. I may not journal every day, but I know that it will always be a part of my life, a safe and comforting space where I can confront, celebrate, and understand myself better.
Anwesha RC 