Writing in a Journal—What if you hate to write?
There's no doubt about it, writing is hard work—but only if you're concerned with rules and neatness and being judged. None of that matters when writing in a journal. Write quickly and don't worry about messing up. No need to cross out or make corrections. The great thing about spilling your thoughts and pouring your heart out is that it's just for you. Rereading what you've written can help you understand recurring patterns and themes in your life—some good, some you don't ever want to repeat. Make sure you stash your journal in a safe place. Then discover how hearing your own voice, as distinctively unique as your fingerprint, can be an amazing confidence-building activity.
Writing in a Journal—How can writing to yourself be good for your health?
While it's not difficult to understand how writing in a journal is good for your emotional health, research has shown your body profits as well. Recording thoughts and feelings increases the number of our disease-fighting white blood cells, leading to a strengthened immune system. Another study revealed that those suffering from asthma showed significant improvement after writing about (and so releasing) the stresses in their lives.
Writing in a Journal—What if you haven't a clue what to write about?
Everyone who writes regularly gets stuck sometimes for ideas. Here are few suggestions to get you started:
Think of a situation that remains unresolved. It could be telling a friend who moved how much you miss her, a teacher from last semester how unfair you thought she was, a cute boy how cute he appears in your dreams. Then write him or her a letter you have no intention of mailing.
Write down the date exactly a year from today. Then describe your life as you would like it to be.
Detail a conversation between yourself and an inanimate thing: your favorite food, your worst habit, the body part you hate the worst.
Don't forget to write about the good things in life: a great movie, an amazing grade, a beautiful present.
Just commit the time. Doodle, write a poem, make a wish list, record your dreams. Don't be concerned with making sense. When you reread your entries later, you'll be surprised what you'll pick up that you didn't realize when you wrote it.
Make believe you are 30. Where are you? What have you accomplished? Write down some advice your teenage self might learn from.
