4 Reasons to Journal
Recently I read an article about a Bennington College professor, Claude Fredericks, who daily journaled. His diary is considered the longest ever at approximately 75,000 pages! He began when he was 8 and continued until his death at 89.
Fredericks wasn’t alone (although likely the most prolific.) People write all kinds of things for all sorts of reasons. Think little poems, observations, musings, even funny quips they’ve heard. Sound intriguing?
As the days get darker and the weather cooler, why not curl up with a cup of tea and a blank notebook?
Here Are My Top 4 Reasons for Journaling
1. ID those feelings
It’s a common phenomenon that people aren’t exactly sure what they’re feeling until they write. Has that ever happened to you? Have you been in a situation that you’re still processing so you pick up a pen and before you know it, you’re reliving the entire experience? While you’re writing, you feel into it and then are able to understand what happened.
2. Process the Experience
Perhaps you already know what you’re feeling (anger, frustration, excitement, joy.) Now you want to go deeper, you want to understand exactly what happened and why. This is a great use of journaling. This is the number one reason I journal. It’s a way to digest information, have more clarity, and get perspective.
3. Catharsis
No matter what you write about – if it’s the events of your day, the rantings from your frustrations, a short poem or a love note -I guarantee you’ll feel lighter, more relaxed and less stressed.
4. Inspiration
And what if your daily musings turned into something else? Like one day you’re writing about a traffic jam and you suddenly get a great idea for a short story, or the solution to a problem you’ve been having at work! Look at the book (and Netflix series) Maid. That began as her personal journal.
It’s funny how our minds work. Free writing allows us to be in a stream of consciousness place, and while there, anything can bubble up!
So grab that pen and get started!