Jasmin Terrany, a renowned mental health counsellor once said that, “When you write, you are pausing your life from all other activities and taking time to look within. It can be a very powerful tool to help you understand what is going on inside you.” Notably, studies have consistently shown that journal therapy or journaling, also known as expressive writing, improves aspects of our physical and mental health. The journal often may also act as a place where one could repeatedly assure themselves that they were safe regardless of their mental turmoil. It is also found that over time, the same journal can also be a tool to delve into the deeper sides of one’s mental space.
People who journal on a daily basis have reported that the habit of jotting their thoughts down has made them feel less anxious of their recurring thought processes waiting under the surface. It has also allowed them to be no longer feel afraid to be with themselves and extend compassion and acceptance. The journaling process may look different from person to person. Some may journal before going to bed while some may prefer to write in the morning. Some may even journal their dreams in as they wake up in the middle of the night, also called as dream journaling. No matter the pattern, what matters most is that we allot time for delving into our minds and uncovering important thoughts and feelings.
To start with, one can set a timer for a little longer than usual and then try writing down the free flow of thoughts until the timer sounds. This is called as the stream of consciousness or writing in a continuous flow. Writing without giving it much deliberate thought will help to unveil our feelings we didn’t even realize we had. Once we get it all on paper, we can also re-read our own journal and underline points that stand out and pose further questions. By doing so, we develop a habit of digging deeper into our own feelings, recognize them and develop a profound sense of awareness for ourselves. We may also develop a habit of appreciating both our happy thoughts as well as introspect on the negative ones.
The whole point of journaling is not only express your emotions, but to understand them better. It is to enjoy the journey of accepting and uncovering the origins and complexities within ourselves. When we realize we may never finish discovering ourselves, we naturally develop immense sense of love and admiration towards ourselves and for the world around us.