Keeping a detailed writing of one’s life, whether meant for the writer’s eyes only or meant to be shared with the world, is a common hobby. It’s like a place to confess your struggles and mistakes to yourself without punishment or judgment. It feels good to get all of those thoughts and feelings out of your head and on paper.  You have probably tried writing in a journal at least once in your life. It may have been a phase, or you might have simply not enjoyed it. If you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety, it’s a great idea to start journaling. It can help you with many overwhelming emotions by finding a healthy way to let everything out.  There are many benefits to journaling: it helps you prioritize problems and fears, manage stress, anxiety, and depression, and provides a great opportunity for self-reflection.  Even if you are not focused on journaling for the benefit of the mind, there are also many other benefits to journaling. Organization, for starters. Journaling can help you organize your thoughts and ideas. It can become a daily recap, a habit and routine tracker, an event calendar, and a life guideline.

So how do you even start a journal? Well, the first step is to get a book, something you can carry around with you. The second is to find a comfortable pencil or pen. Try to write every day, but keep it relaxing and simple. You can even keep a journal on your laptop or phone.  Your journal doesn’t need to follow any certain structure–you can write however you like. Add drawing, doodles, make it colorful! It is your own private place, so write freely and don’t worry about mistakes. You don’t have to share your journal with anyone if you don’t want to.  Write in a place that’s relaxing and soothing, maybe with a cup of tea or hot cocoa. Look at your journal like it’s your own personal reflection book. Just know that you are doing something good for your mind and body.  Keeping a journal helps you organize your thoughts and keep things in order when your world feels like it’s in chaos. You can look back at your most private thoughts, fears, and feelings after a couple of years and see how far you’ve come. You’ll notice that the things that you thought were going to stay with you forever have left your mind and you forgot it even happened!