I started journaling at the beginning of 2017 because it was a grade requirement for a creative writing class I was enrolled in. Among the many writing and reading assignments, my professor required all her students to buy a journal, write in it every day for the entirety of the semester, and turn it in on the last day of class. We were allowed to fill our journals with whatever we pleased, the purpose of the assignment was to encourage us to write daily. So whether the pages of our journals were filled cover to cover with in-depth and well thought out observations about society and the world around us, or something as irrelevant as an absent thought that crossed one’s mind, she just wanted us to write. There was one rule, however, our journals were not to be treated as a diary. Because she would be reading our journals, we were encouraged to not get too personal or in depth on the details of our lives; there’s just some stuff your professor doesn’t need to know about you.
I ended up having so much fun with the project; not only was I writing regularly, I was creating. Everything from poetry, to short stories, to visual art, and picture collages. In a way, finding a medium to express myself was helping tremendously with my mental health and all the chaos that came with approaching high school graduation and college decision.
By the end of the semester I had a tangible piece of it all. A time capsule for my last moments in high school that not only had many memories, but held almost every emotion. I was so pleased with everything I had gained from journaling, that I immediately went out and bought a new journal to fill cover to cover all over again, this time having the freedom to get as raw and personal as I pleased.
Throughout the process I had a friend who was once very close to me, try to shame me for journaling. They told me, that writing in a journal was “little kid stuff," they said. "Keeping a diary past middle school is a little ridiculous…” Not only could I not disagree with them more, but I’m glad I never listened, and continued cultivating my new found hobby. Everything I’ve gained from journaling has been nothing but positive.
I write more than I ever have
I create more
And I’m inspired more.
Now, in the second half of 2018, I’m working on my third journal. This simple, cathartic ritual is something I hope to continue well into my adult years, and maybe even for the rest of my life. There’s just something about having a personal space to let go of everything going on in your head, and I recommend it to everyone. No matter your age, whether you’re a writer or not, and no matter what you use it for.
To anyone reading this, I challenge you to keep a journal and write every day for a week, set a daily reminder on your phone if you have to. Write about how you feel, make never ending lists about your goals for the short and long-term future, write about love, write about hate. And don’t limit yourself to writing either; paint, doodle, make collages, print out your favorite pictures on your phone and fill a page with your own photography, pick flowers and press them on to your blank pages; the options are literally endless.
For those of you look for more inspiration, I have a regularly updated Pinterest board with tons of journaling inspiration, that you can find HERE.
Go into an empty room or sit outside alone, play your favorite music, and create.
Happy Journaling :)
