Six benefits of Daily Journaling

You have probably noticed that there are a few things we can do to maximize the opportunities on any given day.

This could mean sleeping the recommended number of hours so we are well-rested. It could also mean creating and keeping to a to-do list, prioritizing our actions and tasks, amongst others.

In recent years, I have learned that our level of productivity is often determined by the state of our minds. That’s probably why mindfulness and meditation practices are so popular. It speaks to a need to be self-aware, introspective and reflective. 

I definitely believe in the power of examining our thoughts and how they affect our words and actions. 

One of my favourite Bible verses on this is Romans 12:2:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It speaks to a continuous renewal of our minds and checking of our thoughts so they are aligned to God’s will and purpose for us.

One thing that has helped me do this, over the past year, has been daily journaling.

To begin with, I was a sceptic. I didn’t understand the journaling craze. It reminded me of high school days where people kept diaries and were so secretive about them. Many of them spent more time guarding those little books than they did reading their school books. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating but I just knew it wasn’t for me.

Then there was the obvious problem of figuring out what to write.  

My life was pretty average and even when out of the ordinary things happened, I would often not want to remember or re-live them.

What was there to talk about? My life was pretty average and even when out of the ordinary things happened, I would often not want to remember or re-live them.

I revisited my stance on journaling in December 2018 (during a New Year goal planning session). Earlier that year, a friend had mentioned that she had been journaling for years and it had helped her. I, of course, nodded half-heartedly but did not plan to change my ways.

But something must have changed in December 2018. I’m not sure I remember what exactly did but I realized that a journal could help me process the many things jumbling through my mind.

And it did!

Why journal?

We all have different reasons for the things we do. Some of which we are conscious of while some others just happen…it’s the way we are.

Journaling didn’t come easy. The first few days were oozing with doubt at this new “thing” and a boot load of cynicism. But somehow I stuck it out.

I started journaling on the first day of January 2019 and I have been at it since then. There have, of course, been days and even weeks when I wasn’t able to journal.

However, it has been an incredible experience of vulnerability, clarity and hope. It was especially helpful during the earlier stages of the pandemic and even now, it has allowed me process work projects and some unexpected challenges.

Journaling has been a gateway into my inner life. 

 

Six reasons why I journal

Here are six reasons why I journal and how it has helped me over the past year and a half. I hope they help you, too.

It helps me process my thoughts

This seems obvious but I didn’t fully understand or accept this. The whole point of journaling is to document certain areas of our lives. I would point out that there are different types of journal. For some, it is to write down particulars plans or processes.

But for me, it was about writing out daily (memorable) experiences and documenting my feelings about these. Many times, it is written as a letter to God. Telling him my thoughts about what I was going through or doing.

I have come out from a few of these writing sessions, feeling lighter and with better clarity.

It acts as a record for my mind

This is one of the biggest benefits for me. Recently, I went through my journal, reading past entries and I was amazed at the state of my heart and my thoughts throughout the past eighteen months. My first entry started off with a dash of scepticism, as I kept writing, it was obvious that I was getting into the practice of putting pen to paper and giving room for my thoughts to see the ‘cool light of day’.

It helps me plan for the future

I also include my plans for the future in my journal. It serves as the first place before I write in my planner or create a to-do list. I get a chance to ruminate on the things I want as against the things I need and should be focusing on.

Writing down my hopes and dreams in a journal provides a holistic view of what truly matters is I can look at past entries to understand my current trajectory.

It gives me a chance to know the state of my mind and heart

Journaling provides an incredible opportunity to remained attuned to my heart and the things that affect me. Jesus in Matthew 15, reminded the people that it is not what enters a man that defiles him but what is within him.

It’s easy to go about our lives looking for external reasons to our issues and our challenges when the real culprits could be hiding inside of us – fear, anger, bad attitude, laziness, greed etc.

I get to be truly honest with myself

Effective journaling is about honesty and openness. At least, it has been for me. Imagine if we couldn’t be honest with ourselves, wouldn’t that be a terrible tragedy?

I believe growth and change are only a few steps from honesty. We are able to learn and develop ourselves when we can shine light at the areas that need change.

It gives room for gratitude

Journaling gives me a chance to list the many things I’m grateful for. At the end of each month, I write out all the memorable things for that month and note God’s many blessings.

How can I start journaling?

Perhaps, you have been thinking of journaling or you are also a sceptic like I once was. I would encourage you to try it out. I will share some ideas on how you can start below, but remember that you don’t need to do it my way or any other person’s way. Do what works for you and what you can sustain.

Resources you need

I started out the old fashioned way – with a paper journal and a pen – and I don’t intend to stop. There are a few journaling apps out there if you prefer a digital option.

I never tried this option as I felt more emotionally connected writing with a pen and paper. I’m currently on my second book, for my first book, I used a normal A4 exercise book. I had wanted a beautiful leather-bound journal but my budget didn’t allow it. Lol

Rather than waste time looking for the perfect book, I started with what I had.

Right now, I’m using a smaller book with rope binding…love it!

Journal content

What do I write about in my journal?

That will be an obvious question for anyone starting out. There is no hard and fast rule. You decide what you write. But before then, maybe you could to determine why you need a journal as that will influence what you write about. As I mentioned earlier, I write about my daily experiences, how I handled these and any lessons from these experiences.

I also get to include the wins from the day and what I’m grateful for. For more ideas, this post has 50 journaling ideas.

Time to journal

When do I write or journal?

Again, you decide but for many people I know, they usually journal first thing in the morning. I do this too. I like to think doing it early gives me a fresh perspective on the day before and the plans for the new day.

There are others who journal at the end of the day. You can try out both times and see what works for you. The important thing is that you write, it doesn’t matter when you do it!

Length of a journal entry

How long should my journal entry be?

Another great question. And my answer remains the same – it depends. My longest journal entry was about three,’ lined’, A4 pages and the shortest was one line…Lol.

In my defence, I think I was distracted when I wrote that line and forgot to go back to it. ??‍♀️

I heard about Morning pages recently, practised by a few people including Lavendaire,

The idea is to write three pages every morning. It must be three pages, even if you have to repeat the same things every day.

I don’t subscribe to this as I don’t believe in forcing myself to write a certain amount each day.

Life is fluid and dynamic.

There will be days where the words will pour out of us and there will be days where we are a dry well in a desert. Make room for these seasons.

Conclusion – the Journey to journaling

That was probably more information than you expected but I hope you’ve found it useful.

Do you currently journal, do you want to start or did you used to journal? How has it worked for you? Please share in the comments, I would love to know.