Keeping a journal is like keeping a record of your life. But it can also be a lot more than that. You see, writing down your experiences is great and all but you only gain when you investigate what you have learnt from all these experiences.

These are the golden nuggets of your life, for if you journal you gain clarity over aspects of your life and over time you will begin to see a pattern take shape. You may begin to draw the dots on recurring issues you are not dealing with or a repetitive mood or reaction you have to a certain individual. You see more clearly where you’ve come from and added clarity means it can aid you in deciding where you’re going. Some key points:

• Journal frequently. A few times a week. It’s especially good for those moments when you feel good about yourself but also when you feel bad.
• Be honest. You’re not writing for a press conference, it’s a safe open space for you to be your true self. Write down things you cannot say to people. Go nuts!
• From personal experience, I’m familiar with the lightness that I feel once I’ve written something down that is bothering me, whether it’s a situation or a person. Journalling I find is good for dissipating negative emotions and having a more peaceful mind.
• The clarity you gain about yourself and your situations is everything. It’s empowering. But it only comes from sticking to it.
• What you do with the knowledge you gain from this technique is entirely up to you. Personally, it helped me figure out a lot of things, namely what I want.
• Over time, you can look back at how your life has been progressing so far. The highs and the lows. Which can offer you a fresh perspective on your past and how you got to where you are today, and where you’re going.
• Helps identify your fears.

You don’t have to be a great writer to keep a journal, and you don’t need a fancy notebook that cost you €20 from Easons. Just persistence and having an awareness that it is a resourceful tool during those testing moments in life. What have been your experiences so far with journalling? It’s always good to get insight and input from others!