How Journaling Makes You a Better Writer
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The 8 ways journaling improves your writing.
1. Journaling clears your mind of clutter. The clutter that can lead to writer’s block. When you put thoughts on paper you create more space in your head. Try writing for a bit every morning and see what happens.
2. Journaling improves your health. Writing about good and bad feelings strengthens your immune system. And reduces stress. You learn about yourself when you journal. It allows the release of bottled up emotions which increases confidence and feelings of well-being.
3. Journaling flushes out the bad stuff. It allows us to write about the crappy stuff and then get down to the business of writing about the good stuff.
4. Journaling gives us the freedom to be less than perfect. We have the permission to write without fear, without judgement and without fierce editing. We can write with abandon, creativity and joy.
5. Journaling cultivates a huge personal archive. Some of the gems in your diary could lead to future stories and articles. They act as inspiration. Remember to create some kind of index to keep track of your stories.
6. Journaling brings you closer to excellence. The more hours you invest in writing the better you become. The hours you spend journaling count. If can be fun to keep track of your journaling time.
7. Journaling can save relationships. Instead of venting your anger at a loved one or colleague, write your feelings in your journal. You won’t have to retract what you said at a later date. It is very cathartic to express your feelings.
8. Journaling helps you to cultivate better writing habits. You don’t have to wait for an important reason to write. Just start writing and writing and writing. The more you write the more you will write.
Some journaling prompts to help you get started:
Describe a location where you have felt the happiest.
Describe one thing that you would like to change about yourself.
Write a thank you letter to someone.
What is your greatest fear?
Describe a time when you were courageous.
How do you want to feel at the end of your day?
Name three things you are grateful for.
What did you do well today?
As you journal, you are improving the practice of writing. Journaling helps you achieve your goals, gain writing confidence, reduce anxiety and stress, increases inspiration, and strengthens your memory.
All excellent reasons for you to start journaling today!
