Journaling: the Benefits that I Found

I remember well the day I started journaling. I was in my early 30s. I was miserable and felt that my life was going nowhere. On that night, I was babysitting and was so upset that I felt like crying. I had a notebook and pen with me.

I started to write a letter to a minister whom I had been thinking of going to see for some advice. I wasn't sure if I was going to send the letter or not. Back in those days, I would often start things and not follow through. I thought the letter might turn out to be another one of those things that I might not follow through on.

As I wrote that letter, I found my own answers within me. By the time I was done, I knew that I didn't need to send it. I was on to something that could help me, something that I could do easily and at almost any time and any place.

After that night, I wrote in my journal frequently. I was pretty broke at the time so my journal was nothing more than a thick spiral notebook. I went through five of those notebooks over the next few years. I found that the more I wrote, the more answers and healing I received and the better I felt.

I purchased a few journaling books and tried some of the different writing exercises which were suggested. I journaled conversations between people I had problems with and myself. I wrote letters to people I didn't like or was angry with. I asked questions regarding problems I was struggling with and received insights. I found that the best way to do this was to write a question and then continue writing whatever answer popped into my head.

Journaling helped me to grow, to find myself and to learn to appreciate who I am. If journaling is something that sounds appealing to you, then I would suggest giving it a try. I recommend using paper and pen as opposed to keyboard. For some reason the experience seems to be more meaningful when using a pen and paper.