Real Words

I am someone who believes in the power of keeping a journal. I got my first diary when I was about ten years old and have kept one fairly steadily since that time. Although I’ve gone through bouts of not writing for awhile, I always return to keeping a journal because I believe that it benefits me immensely as both a writer and an individual.

Some of the top benefits that I’ve experienced as a result of keeping a journal:

• The many benefits of a daily routine. I believe that having daily rituals helps us to get up and get going in the morning. My morning routine starts my day off right and helps me feel like I’m on track with things. Journaling is one part of that routine for me.
• The power of self-reflection. I think that all people, particularly writers, need time to reflect on life and on themselves every single day. It’s hard to do that when we have so many obligations and distractions, Journaling returns us to ourselves day in and day out.
• Unjudged writing practice. I am trying to get in the habit of not judging any of my writing but rather just letting it happen. This isn’t always easy but I’m able to do it with my journal. As a writer, I think this daily period of unjudged writing time is important.
• A collection of my thoughts. It’s been important for me to have this collection of my thoughts. There are memories that I forget but can then access again in my journals. There are patterns of behavior that I only see when I re-read my journals. There are characters and projects that I thought of in passing that I revive when reminded of them by my journals.

I’m not the only one who believes that a journal offers many benefits. Take a look at some thoughts other people have posted on the benefits of journaling:

• 7 Benefits of Journaling. Thoughts on how journaling helps you to identify, preserve and explore your ideas.
• And another 7 benefits of journaling – this one as it specifically applies to writers.
• The Benefits of Journaling as outlined by two women who created their own powerful journal for others to use.
• Uses and benefits of journaling – this is an academic article on the topic.
• Health Benefits of Journaling (including the benefit of stress management)
• And the ultimate post on the topic – 100 benefits of journaling.

Surely we can all get something out of journaling. Do you journal? Does it help your writing? What has been the great benefit?