Why do coaches, mentors, and counselors often start with journaling as their go to self-help tool? I’ve researched dozens of reasons and have paired down the list to my top 10 reasons!
10. Progress Tracking
When you journal, you can look back and see the progress you are making!
9. Stationary & Pens
Yep! There has never been a better time purchase Journals! Go shopping for the best paper and the best binding for you! Try a bunch of different styles, shapes, and paper weights. Also, try out a bunch of different pens! This is a very enjoyable part of journaling.
8. Improved Handwriting
I wrestled with the fact that this would be on the list, but I’ve noticed that everyone I know that journals starts out hating their handwriting. After a few months of writing regularly the thing they hate starts to become something they practice and enjoy improving! Relax and practice your cursive!
7. Improved Writing!
You might not think this is a benefit, but the more you write the better you get at writing! This improvement will be seen in your email correspondence, letter writing, even birthday cards!
6. Improved Self-Discipline
Research shows that when you journal regularly you improve your self discipline! This is such a wonderful benefit! We could all use a little self-discipline, no?
5. Improved Mindfulness
Again! Research shows that when you write about whats going on in your life you start to recognize more and more trends and triggers. Being more mindful will benefit every relationship you have!
4. Antidote for Busyness
An amazing thing happens when you write expressively (about your feelings and what’s going on). You start to prioritize what you care about and things that you don’t care about become less and less important. You become less “busy” and more productive!
3. Mental Toughness
Research shows that when we write about negative experiences we start to recognize our emotional triggers! This allows us to see things more objectively.
2. More Working Memory
Again, more research (I secretly love it!). When we write about stressful situations our brains are rewired to “dump” the bad stuff and make room for more current stuff! We can process more things at once, remember more important things, as well as process faster! Stronger, better, faster!
1. Relationship With Our Minds
There is a gap between the way we act and what we think. Just think about all those time when you did something and thought… did I just do that? Peer pressure, stress, whatever the issue it happens all the time. When we write about what we think and what we feel and what is going on… We start to close the gap between how we think, feel, and act!
This takes time, but the benefits are enormous!
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