Why you should (maybe) have a journal

Since last week’s post was about doing a self check-in, it’s fitting that this week I extol the virtues of keeping a journal.

You should probably have a journal of some kind. Keeping a journal can be a great way to help you think through things and process your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, articulating your thoughts and ideas in a tangible way can be helpful in your life’s journey.

Journals will also help you keep a record of your life. One thing that's been unexpectedly rewarding is to read my old journals and see how much I've grown, and also, how I've managed to work through the things that weighed heavily on me in a particular season. My journals serve as a testament to that fact that I can do hard things and get through hard seasons. They also remind me of the things that are important to me (or were important to me) and how those things change (or don't) as I continue to grow. It’s been amazing to me to see the wisdom of 23-year-old me that has held true for more than a decade.

What should you write in your journal? Literally anything you want. Here are some things I've recorded in my journals over the years: prayers, red flags/deal-breakers in relationships, fears, joys, plans for things I want to write about, thoughts on random topics, goals, dreams, lists. I also sometimes will find points to reflect on in podcast episodes, which can be a great source of inspiration to write. If you’d like to, a guided journal can be a wonderful resource as well, such as a five-year journal, or a topical reflection journal that provides writing prompts to help get you started.

And finally, while my orientation is towards writing, your journal doesn’t have to be written. You can make videos or voice recordings, or even art that expresses your feelings. My only advice is that your method of journaling is something that is low effort for you to do consistently, since the consistency is what is really important.