This is probably one of the most obvious benefits many people think of when they want to start journaling. In this digital age, we are able to capture any moment we want with our cell phones by taking photos and videos, but there is no better way to look at your old memories than reading your old journals. Being able to see your old handwriting from years ago makes you feel more connected to your younger self. In addition, you are able to read your intimate and private thoughts from years ago that you may have forgotten about. There will be old memories and moments that slip from your mind that will make you want to laugh and cry at the same time in a different way that photos and videos do. Reading your old journals may even make you realize how mature you have become or how much you have changed: a great indicator to reflect on your past and present self.

One of the reasons I love to journal so much is because you can express all your thoughts and emotions. It’s like being able to talk to a friend, but they never get sick of you talking on and on. Within the past year, journaling has helped me a lot through the pandemic. It allows me to express all my frustrations and concerns that I felt throughout the day. There’s something about being able to express all your thoughts on paper that is so refreshing and relieving. Your anxious or nervous thoughts are no longer just mere voices in your head. Writing them down helps validate what you are feeling inside. Another great thing about journaling is that you don’t have to share it with anyone. By keeping it private you can be as vulnerable and intimate with your journal as you are with yourself, which can help you clear all your thoughts and frustrations.

When I started journaling every day last year, I did not expect myself to appreciate everything more, but I did! No matter how mundane and plain the day may have been, it helps me realize there were a few good things that happened throughout the day. There have been days where I felt very pessimistic and that nothing positively impacted my day, but as I continue to write my thoughts down, it helps me realize there were actually a lot of things I can appreciate about that day. Whether it be a simple food you ate or a nice thing someone said to you, journaling makes you appreciate your surroundings more.

When many of us make it a goal to journal everyday, one of the reasons why it doesn’t end up working out is because we set our goals too high. Goals like “write at least one page a day” or “write only at night” can prevent us from wanting to journal everyday. These goals might be too difficult to achieve as many of us have busy schedules. When I started journaling everyday last year, the only goal I had was “write at least one sentence a day at any time of day.” I believe goals like this are achievable to anyone and help beginners ease into journaling. Also, goals like “write at least one page a day” may be difficult for beginners who are not sure what to write about. It is important to have smaller goals at first, and, as you begin to enjoy journaling more, set higher goals for yourself.

In this digital age, many of us like to use our phones and electronic devices to record everything. I know there are several high-rated journaling apps out there; however, I think paper is the best option for journaling. There is something about being able to write on paper that makes it easier to write your thoughts down on. I think with the role technology has in our lives, it is nice to have journaling as a different way to keep a record of things. Besides, when you accumulate more and more journals over the years, it makes it even cooler - you have stacks and stacks of notebooks of your own handwriting over the years!