The Importance of Journaling
Do you keep a journal? Why is journaling an important self-care practice?
I do! It is one of my favourite activities. I have filled the pages of multiple journals over my lifetime with stories, quotes, and pictures.
Other than talking them out, writing has been the way I release my thoughts. I love keeping journals; this has been a habit since I was a young girl. Perhaps it is why I love blogging so much, as I love sharing the lessons I have learned through keeping a journal.
Last weekend, I found old journals from my youth. Reading them made me remember earlier times which had faded from memory. The pages of the old journals were filled with my thoughts and emotions about daily life. Writing the words on the page is like expressing your innermost thoughts with a trusted friend.
Reading those entries more than ten years after I first jotted them down was fascinating. It gave me a glimpse of how far I have come in the intervening years. Back then, I was so nervous about my future and what it would bring.
Now I am here in the present moment, ten years later. In this moment, I may tend to not see what I’ve accomplished nor how far I have stretched beyond my earlier personal limits. I could focus on my doubts, insecurities, and small failings. But through going back to my old journals, I can see first-hand how I’ve grown. Like most interviewees from the Speaking from the Heartseries agree, I have found that journaling is fundamental to the writing life and to personal growth!
Journaling is an empowering teaching tool which helps you learn so much about yourself. By not holding your thoughts in and releasing the words onto the page, the inner processing begins.
You gain clarity through thinking things out. You can express your fears and insecurities. You can write down the deep questions that have been on your heart.
Documenting your life in a journal helps you gain a better understanding of yourself and your relationship with others. Therefore, I encourage you to start speaking from the heart and express your thoughts. Get out the pen and paper, or your computer, and put the words on the page! You never know what you will create!
Do you keep a journal? How has journaling helped you in your life?
Thank you for reading and your presence at this beach retreat. You Rock! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section below.
See you at the beach!
