In our ongoing series on self-care, today we explore the transformative practice of journaling—a powerful tool for clarity, self-discovery, and healing. As someone who loves journaling but struggles with consistency, I’ve found that adapting my approach helps me harness its benefits while accommodating my changing needs and preferences.

Journaling has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, though I confess that I am consistently inconsistent. Some days, I pour my heart out, writing about my goals, dreams, and aspirations, even using different colors to track how my thoughts and priorities shift over time. Other days, the thought of writing by hand feels too time-consuming, especially given that I can type at 90 words per minute. This inconsistency is something I’ve come to accept and even embrace, recognizing that the medium and method can be as fluid as my thoughts.

Recently, I’ve begun a new approach to journaling, combining it with blogging to discuss the perils of pro se litigation. This hybrid method allows me to reflect on my experiences from a hindsight perspective, blending the personal insights of journaling with the structure and reach of blogging. Writing digitally offers the flexibility to edit and refine my thoughts easily—an advantage over the sometimes messy process of crossing out handwritten text.

The Benefits of Journaling

Journaling offers a multitude of benefits, from bringing clarity to thoughts and order to chaos, to activating both sides of the brain. This dual activation is particularly important for cognitive function, yet it can be challenging amidst daily migraines and headaches. Despite these challenges, I find that journaling helps reinforce both short-term and long-term objectives within my subconscious. Experts agree that writing out goals and aspirations by hand significantly increases the likelihood of achieving them compared to merely typing or thinking about them​​​​​​.

While public journaling in the form of a blog isn’t for everyone, I’ve found it to be a powerful tool for connection and reinforcement of my own concepts. We often worry about being judged, but with the exception of narcissistic stalkers, I’ve discovered that many people appreciate my openness and authenticity. Sharing my thoughts and feelings or lessons learned not only helps reinforce those concepts within my own mind but also fosters connections with others. This process has led to reconnecting with old friends and making new ones, demonstrating the unexpected benefits of sharing one’s journey.

Dr. Nicole LePera, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that journaling can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. In her book, How to Do the Work, she discusses how writing can help individuals process emotions and gain insights into their behaviors and patterns. Additionally, the practice of writing longhand, as noted in Kaizen, encourages mindfulness and intentionality, fostering a deeper connection with one’s thoughts and goals.

(In my opinion, it encourages mindfulness and intentionality because if you are like me, you are doing everything you can to avoid messing up your paper with ugly cross outs through words. But I digress.)

Finding the right medium for journaling is a personal journey. While writing by hand may feel more intimate and reflective, typing offers speed and efficiency. For me, a combination of both works best. Digital journaling provides the convenience and flexibility to capture thoughts quickly, while handwritten entries allow for a more tactile and mindful experience. The key is to find what works for you, adapting your approach as needed to fit your lifestyle and preferences.

Journaling is a versatile and powerful tool for self-care, offering numerous benefits for mental and emotional well-being. Whether you prefer writing by hand, typing, or a combination of both, the important thing is to find a method that works for you and to embrace the journey of self-discovery and healing.