Keeping a journal or a diary sounds a bit cheesy but there are numerous benefits. It is a great way to express yourself and to learn more about yourself.
Writing a diary has a therapeutic effect; it helps you cope up with anxiety and allows your thoughts to get a new shape. If sharing problems with others can make you feel relieved, so does writing them in a diary.
How and Why Do You Need to Start Writing a Diary?
All you need is a paper or laptop and a pen. It’s that simple. So what’s stopping you? Your writing isn’t good enough? You have no idea how to start? That’s why we’ here. To help and encourage you to start writing down your thoughts and collecting them into a diary or journal.
“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.” – Oscar Wilde
How to Start Writing a Diary
You have your notebook, so now what? Do you start with dear diary? Does it feel like talking to you? It doesn’t matter at all. This is not about your writing style. You are not going to be graded on this and no one needs to know that you keep a diary. It’s personal, so just write whatever is on your mind.
Finding the Time and Space
You can write anywhere, but in order to make yourself more organized and learn more about discipline, start by taking 20 minutes every day to be alone with your thoughts. Make some tea and write. Feel the enjoyment while all your worries are getting a new shape and form.
What to Write About
There’s more to writing than just your problems and issues. You can start with your day, who did you see, where did you go, and even what you wore. Did you skip your Pilates class? Or you feel extra energized because you had a lovely day at the park? Start with your day and see where it leads you.
Ask Questions
Pretend you are someone you met on the street; someone you like. What would you ask them? If it helps, you can close your eyes and visualize the situation. Ask if you are okay, how was your day, there’s no right or wrong question because this is personal. It’s all about you.
Write Naturally and Quickly
In order to avoid overthinking, just write. You may experience writer’s block but push through it. Even if sentences don’t make too much sense, keep writing. You can always go back and gather your thoughts.
Be honest. That is the most important thing because you want this diary to have meaning and you can only achieve that if you are honest with yourself.
Write a Letter
Say goodbye to the people from your past with a letter. Write one for your beloved pet in heaven. Write an angry letter to your annoying boss. Get the negativity and sadness out in open. Of course, you can write letters to the people who made your day, but always be 100% honest because you are writing letters you will never send.
Go Wild
You can always make structure, but you don’t have to do it now. Learn to be present; that you don’t need any motive, direction and structure. You are in the now and you are writing down whatever is happening at this very second.
The Benefits of Keeping a Diary
As we said, it helps you clear your mind. With that, you are learning to let go and de-stress. But that’s not all.
Keeping a diary can help you cope with illness; it improves memory and self-growth. It is such a simple thing to do yet people avoid it, simply because they don’t know where to start. You start with “I feel” or “I am thinking” and then just go wild.
