this is really great! i came back to journaling this year and the difference it makes in my every day life is incredible, a clear mind is a sane mind. loved this article!
Thank you for this article, it made me want to grab my journal asap. Journaling is a precious date with yourself and an opportunity to fall in love with your authentic self.
this is such a timely post for me! i recently got into substack and been reading a lot of good quotes/essays. and im writing it to my planner everyday (im on my 3rd day!)
I want to start journaling, I have so many thoughts and conversations in my head that I’d love to get down on paper however I’m also anxious that some of my more personal thoughts are out there, like a diary that someone else could come across and read or find. I’m curious to know, once you have completed a journal do you keep them for reading again or discard?
I’ve thought of destroying mine but am so grateful I haven’t. I’ve been keeping a journal since I was 8 so there’s a lot of…crap. However, it’s fun to go back and see what was importantly to me at that time, “I love Jimmy” one day then “I love Bobby” the next. It’s funny.
With the more sensitive topics that I need to get out of my head but I don’t want anyone to stumble upon them I use an encrypted file on my computer than only I have access to. I don’t have to worry if someone destroys it for me or not. It gives me peace to know no one will be reading these thoughts after I’m gone.
Thanks for your comment Tiffany, really helpful. I hadn’t thought of encryption! I also had a couple of diary’s when I was around 10-12 years of age. I read them again when I was probably in my 20’s and had to destroy them I was so embarrassed 🙈. In a funny way..I couldn’t believe some of the things I’d written 🤣
I’m wondering if anyone else shares the experience that I have when journaling. I have the need for it to look a perfect way, but it never quite looks how I envisioned so then I feel defeated by the whole thing even when I know the sole purpose is not about the aesthetics of it but I can’t help it.
Such wise words! I think I still often struggle with the “performing” aspect of it. How do I stop myself from doing it? Someone on a tiktok comment once put it very accurately, it’s like there’s this “pressure to be your personal historian”. Does someone else feel the same way?
"now i know it’s more like a soft return—to yourself. a way to slow down the spinning wheel inside your head and notice what’s actually there. a place to feel without performing."
Thank you. I have just returned to my version of morning pages, which is stream of consciousness writing for 2-3 pages.
I let it slide a few years ago but have realised how good for my mental health it is.
My husband calls it my sleepy writing, I have been known to doze off half way through, but writing while still in an almost dream state has helped me find some things that worry me and give me an opportunity to unpack them consciously.
Thank you! I think that people deserve to know about the journaling benefits. This year Im writting in my fourth notebook and I really notice many changes about the way that I see the world and myself
this is really great! i came back to journaling this year and the difference it makes in my every day life is incredible, a clear mind is a sane mind. loved this article!
Thank you for this article, it made me want to grab my journal asap. Journaling is a precious date with yourself and an opportunity to fall in love with your authentic self.
this is such a timely post for me! i recently got into substack and been reading a lot of good quotes/essays. and im writing it to my planner everyday (im on my 3rd day!)
(oops i pressed send button too early lol) i also keep a junk journal ! it helps me remember simple small things from how each day / week went :))
I want to start journaling, I have so many thoughts and conversations in my head that I’d love to get down on paper however I’m also anxious that some of my more personal thoughts are out there, like a diary that someone else could come across and read or find. I’m curious to know, once you have completed a journal do you keep them for reading again or discard?
I’ve thought of destroying mine but am so grateful I haven’t. I’ve been keeping a journal since I was 8 so there’s a lot of…crap. However, it’s fun to go back and see what was importantly to me at that time, “I love Jimmy” one day then “I love Bobby” the next. It’s funny.
With the more sensitive topics that I need to get out of my head but I don’t want anyone to stumble upon them I use an encrypted file on my computer than only I have access to. I don’t have to worry if someone destroys it for me or not. It gives me peace to know no one will be reading these thoughts after I’m gone.
Thanks for your comment Tiffany, really helpful. I hadn’t thought of encryption! I also had a couple of diary’s when I was around 10-12 years of age. I read them again when I was probably in my 20’s and had to destroy them I was so embarrassed 🙈. In a funny way..I couldn’t believe some of the things I’d written 🤣
As a lifelong journaler, I’ve really been struggling with it recently. Thanks for this 💖
Thank you for this, I returned to write in my journal since 2023 and I cried while I wrote only two pages. it was like a train wreck
Honestly I always have so much trouble starting because I feel like everything I write needs to be perfect — so I needed this, thank you
Love it :)
I’m wondering if anyone else shares the experience that I have when journaling. I have the need for it to look a perfect way, but it never quite looks how I envisioned so then I feel defeated by the whole thing even when I know the sole purpose is not about the aesthetics of it but I can’t help it.
Reading your writing makes me want to write...hehe🌹
Such wise words! I think I still often struggle with the “performing” aspect of it. How do I stop myself from doing it? Someone on a tiktok comment once put it very accurately, it’s like there’s this “pressure to be your personal historian”. Does someone else feel the same way?
"now i know it’s more like a soft return—to yourself. a way to slow down the spinning wheel inside your head and notice what’s actually there. a place to feel without performing."
Loved this! 🧡
Thank you. I have just returned to my version of morning pages, which is stream of consciousness writing for 2-3 pages.
I let it slide a few years ago but have realised how good for my mental health it is.
My husband calls it my sleepy writing, I have been known to doze off half way through, but writing while still in an almost dream state has helped me find some things that worry me and give me an opportunity to unpack them consciously.
Thanks again for sharing. Really great read
you capture the quiet power of journaling so beautifully! thank you for your words :)
Thank you! I think that people deserve to know about the journaling benefits. This year Im writting in my fourth notebook and I really notice many changes about the way that I see the world and myself
I love list journaling!