Journaling to Improve Mental Health
Two recent articles were a reminder about the therapeutic power of journaling:
I have written Morning Pages for years. For those of you not familiar with the concept, see Julia Cameron’s web site or read her book The Artist’s Way.
Journaling is powerful for multiple reasons. First, it’s a way of releasing emotions, getting your feelings out of your head and onto a page clears your mind, giving space to deal with other things, like problem-solving. Second, journaling is a tool for greater self-awareness. The most effective journaling includes writing about both feelings and reflections. Writing puts structure to the events gnawing at us, and by doing so, lends greater insight into our inner workings. Other benefits of journaling include practice writing, improved storytelling, and greater creativity.
There is disagreement about which medium to use. When I started, I followed the recommendation to write in longhand, using an Apple Pencil. I’ve since transitioned solely to typing. As with the building of any habit, the difference between doing it consistently or not is the amount of friction (the barriers) standing between you and completion. I found using an Apple Pencil was far less convenient than typing. Digital journals make my writing more appealing by accepting all media formats, improving legibility, and allowing me to search and locate written passages. I made the switch about a year and a half ago and have not looked back.
I use (and love) Day One. For more information on the technology side take a look at my friend David Spark's website, and this Automator podcast episode with Rosemary Orchard.