Why journaling is good for you

Journaling has become quite a trend lately and it's time to understand why people are loving getting into this habit. Let's make it simple and as always leaving space for you to be creative and do it your way.

Journaling is not just one thing and there is not just one way to do it. It's anything like having a bullet journal, a diary, or the habit of writing out your thoughts. It's having a space to write down your feelings to understand them more clearly. This is why journaling is actually something healthy.

- Track progress and growth
- Gain self-confidence
- Improve writing and communication skills
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Find inspiration
- Strengthen memory
- Boost your mood

One of the ways to deal with any overwhelming emotion is to find a healthy way to express yourself. When you have a problem and you're stressed, writing can help you identify what’s causing it. And when you know what is cause it you can feel the relief of knowing where to start.

You get to know yourself by revealing your fears, thoughts, feelings, dreams, and ideas. Look at your writing time as personal relaxation time. It's a time when you can de-stress and wind down. This is why you can create a space for yourself to be alone, to have a cup of tea and play some soft music.

There are different ways of journaling according to what you feel comfortable with.

- Dream journal: If you're the type of person that dreams your feelings or you just love remembering and analyzing your dreams this is for you.
- Gratitude journal: Make a list of the things you are grateful for! You'll see how it boosts your energy.
- Sketch journal: An image can say a million things, some people feel better drawing out their thoughts.
- Day's events journal: Whether it's like an agenda or bullet journal you can express your day to day thoughts, ideas and occurrences. 
- Fitness journal: Working out can really help your mood so registering it, keeping track can help you see your improvement.
- Food journal: You can start adding healthy items into your day to day, or if you're working on your relationship with food write out your progress.
- Morning pages: To start the day off write what's on your mind, there's no prompt, it's just allowing yourself to flow.

Set aside a few minutes every day to write. To start off it can be right before bed or when you wake up in the morning. No matter at what moment it is, whether you feel the urge to write or you have to make yourself wind down and do it, lead yourself to have that space.

Have a journal selected for just this purpose. Have your phone ready in case you don't have your journal with you. Make it easy and accessible for yourself to minimize any type of excuse to not do it.

Your journal doesn't need to follow any structure. It's your own place to discuss and create whatever you want to express your feelings. Sometimes it does not make sense nor is it organized and that is alright, let it be your brain dump.

You don't have to share your journal with anyone. It does not have to be posted anywhere. It does not have to be artistic. Just be yourself! Each persons journal is going to be different because each person is different so don't copy but instead create. Have a journal where you allow yourself to be messy.

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The journey to journaling is a beautiful thing and we hope you allow yourself to create the time for your mental health.