Discover the Joys of Journaling...

Most women can recall capturing their school-girl crushes and adolescent woes between the pages of a pretty diary growing up.
Some with pastel colors, pretty patterns, and lock and key.

It was the one place we could be “heard” and not feel judged.
But just because we’ve outgrown our teenage turmoil and awkward stages, doesn’t mean that we should “close the book” to keeping a journal.

In fact, writing in a journal can be therapeutic and beneficial, no matter what your age or stage.

Here’s why:

• It’s a way to think on paper, purge feelings, and pent up anger.
• It helps to enhance creativity, (poetry, essays, books).
• It helps us to chronicle our past and learn from former mistakes.
• It allows us to measure our growth and set goals for the future.
• It helps us to capture those “Kodak” moments worth remembering in the future.
• Depending upon what we pen between the pages, it can even be left for our kids and grand kids to know more about us, when we “transition” on.

 
Now that we know "why," here are some examples of “what” types of diaries to consider:

A BLESSINGS JOURNAL-can be used everyday to record things that we are thankful for. Did you get a raise? Leave a bad relationship safely? Find a new place? These are worth noting here.
A TRAVEL JOURNAL--is a great way to write about interesting places you’ve traveled, the culture, and “hot spots” to visit in the future. You can even take photos and place them in your journal to enhance the experience, and provide visuals.
A CREATIVITY JOURNAL---
many writers will attest that some of their best writing evolved originally from journal entries. Go with the flow.
A DAILY JOURNAL----These are typically used to record the good, the bad, and the ugly of daily living. Use it everyday, or just when the mood hits you. There’s no right or wrong approach here. If you include a lot of personal details, be sure to keep it in a safe place, under lock and key.

　
　
Consider picking up a pretty diary that reflects your personality at your local stationery store, or local Dollar Store. With the holidays and the new school year approaching soon, no doubt there will be much to write and reflect on!

How about you?
Do you still keep a diary? Do you find it helps you to deal with the pressures of life?

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net