Most of us, at some point in our childhood, kept a journal of sorts- something we would write our dreams in (or the middle school drama highlight of the week).We were even sometimes forced to do this in school as an assignment, writing down anything we wanted, just to get the creative juices flowing.

I’ve recently picked up daily journaling this semester, making a few changes from when I had tried it in the past. I don’t try to follow a specific template anymore, such as a bullet journal or daily prompt. It turns out that having that structure actually just stressed me out, and made journaling feel more like a chore. Now, I write whatever comes to mind at the end of every day. Sometimes I write down things that I need to get done for that week, or even long-term goals. I’ll write about how I was feeling, specific interactions I had with people, or about how stressed I am about my next test. Yes, some days it feels like something I have to do, but then I think about how a few years down the road, I’ll be able to look back on this journal, see how I was feeling and what my hopes and dreams were, and how they’ve changed.

A journal is your own personal time capsule. One day you’ll open it and hopefully, it takes you back to some great memories, amazing experiences, or important life lessons. Journaling has so many benefits, a major one being that you can make it completely your own, using it as an outlet for your thoughts. Here are some of the benefits that I’ve experienced so far, and hope you do as well!

Being able to write down your goals and track your progress

Writing down your goals is a proven way to increase your chances of achieving them. It is a way to hold yourself accountable for what you say you’re going to do. I have so many moments where I’ve said I’m going to do something, such as “stop procrastinating,” but never follow through. Journaling has allowed me to write out exactly what I want to accomplish, and track my progress in achieving the goals that I set. I’m able to see what I was feeling that day or what happened that caused my setback.

“…once you get started, the words will flow.”

Another benefit of daily journaling is simply having a place to get your thoughts down. With all of the school work that we do, it’s nice to let your mind take a break. Just write down anything you’re thinking, and once you get started, the words will flow. At times, the stress of school and just life in general can be overwhelming. Journaling allows you to clear your mind and approach any obstacle from a new angle. Sometimes, writing out how something makes you feel allows you to see things from the outside, and could help with understanding and managing your emotional or mental stress.

Improve your communication skills and awareness of how other people feel.

Writing down something that happened to you that day can help you to see it from a different perspective. This can not only help you understand your emotions better, it can also show you how other people feel and react to what you are saying. These benefits can directly translate into your daily conversations, and improve your empathy and awareness towards others.

These benefits are just a glimpse into what journaling can do for you. It’s really about giving it a try, and seeing how this daily habit can affect your own life. Again, journaling is all about making it your own and putting your personal twist on it, doing whatever works best for you.