Why You Need to Start a Journal

By Sheryl | March 10, 2014 |

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If you don’t already, you have likely thought about establishing a personal journal. However, you may be one of the many that feels like you have failed if you do not write everyday or if you feel like you have nothing to say. Today I want to give you an introduction to my version of journal writing.

Notice I said MY version of journal writing. Your journal style does not have to be like mine – or anyone else’s. There is no right or wrong way to journal write – you just need to write. 

I have been a journal writer for most of my life and there have been years in my life when I barely filled up a journal. There have been other years when I have completed more than one journal. I share with people that your journal is your friend/therapist/companion at 2:00 in the morning or 2:00 in the afternoon.

Research continues to show the benefit journal writing has upon health. It has been shown to increase t-cell production along with assist with improving overall mood in as short amount of time as 3-4 days of writing for only 20 minutes. Much cheaper than medication or a physician appointment.

As I mentioned on Friday, the first thing is to find what you would like to write in. It doesn’t matter if it is a spiral notebook, bound leather journal or even your computer. Simply make sure it is something that you enjoy.

I encourage people to leave the first page blank on a journal and when you begin  an entry to date it with the day of the week, date and time of day (it helps if you decide to reread at a later time). 

Here are a few guidelines I share with others when we discuss How to Journal…..

  • Don’t worry about spelling or grammar
  • You can write everyday, once a week or once a  month
  • Use your favorite pencil, pen, crayon or marker (or all of them)
  • Tell the story of a particular day or certain moment 
  • List some of your fears and worries
  • List things you are proud of
  • Write letters to friends and family (they don’t have to read them)
  • Write out your prayers 
  • Draw pictures of how you feel or a place you have visited
  • Place pictures or other objects you want to keep 
  • Remember THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY to journal!!! 
Most of us journal in some form already – our daily calendars, bank account statements,and social media postings. A personal journal simply allows you a place to put your emotions and thoughts without judgement of others (which sometimes happens when you put that rant out on Facebook).
If you are still uncertain, I encourage you to try nothing more than starting a daily gratitude journal. Each day, list 3 things you are grateful for on that day. If you are having a difficult time handwriting things, I suggest you try Happy Rambles. Register with this (free) site and each day it will send you an e-mail (at your chosen time) and ask you what you are happy/grateful for that day. All you need to do is reply with your list and it is saved under your profile. You can respond from your phone or computer just like any other e-mail. There are also various other apps for your phone to try.
Give yourself a week of beginning to journal on a simple basis and you may find you want to do more. Let me know about your own journal practice.
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Posted in Journaling, life, thoughts

11 Comments

  1. Janice P. on March 10, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    Sheryl, this is wonderful! I’m starting a new journal just because the sun is shining and I want to! You are an inspiration to me.



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on March 10, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Thanks Janice, I so appreciate you! The sun gives us inspiration to do many things. Enjoy the new journal.



  2. Jennifer Durham on March 12, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    I used to keep a gratitude journal and it really does help change your frame of mind. Maybe I need to start one again!



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on March 13, 2014 at 2:15 am

      Jenny, you need to start your gratitude journal again. Just the other day (which wasn’t a great day) I realized that I wasn’t focusing upon any of the bad stuff and was only thinking of the positive. I credit to my gratitude journal.



  3. Paige on March 13, 2014 at 2:09 am

    I LOVE to journal!!!!! My favorite thing to write in my journal is my prayers. You are so right – there is no wrong way to journal!



  4. Aimee W on March 13, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    I really want to start keeping a journal but I criticize it too much! If my handwriting is sloppy or my thoughts are scattered I want to start all over. I really need to send the perfectionist in me packing to accomplish this! I have a beautiful journal that Codi from The Art of Balance bought me back in October and I haven’t touched a page yet!



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on March 13, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Aimee, I totally understand. It’s so easy to want everything to be perfect but your journal is the place where you can simply place everything and not judge. I always encourage people to choose a pretty journal that makes them happy and that way, it doesn’t matter what is on the inside because the outside is beautiful to you. Just remember to leave the first page blank – i find that softens the look. Start with something small like gratuities or a list.



  5. stephanie a. orefice on March 13, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    journaling is something i think EVERYONE should do! i actually use it often as a comeback. i say “you really need to go journal” more often than i probably should. i don’t journal as much as i need to.



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on March 14, 2014 at 12:12 am

      I would like to journal more than I do but I feel good in knowing that it is there when I really need to! Thanks for stopping by!



  6. Holly Higgins on March 14, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    I used to have a real, paper journal that I would write in when I was really upset and I kept one when I studied abroad. However, I haven’t done that in a long time. I do, however write out my thoughts on just random pieces of paper when I’m upset and have no other outlet for it. I guess that’s journaling too even if it isn’t bound.



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on March 15, 2014 at 1:27 pm

      You are so correct that is jounaling! We each have to find what fits best for each of us. What matters is that you feel better after you do it! I also say that blogging is a form of journal writing – but most of us don’t share all of our “true” emotions and they need to go somewhere.