What is Journaling?
Journaling is known as a personal record of occurrences, experiences, or reflections that is kept on a regular basis; also known as a diary.
Journaling can be a book in which you keep a personal record of daily activities, things you're grateful for, events in your life, different relationships, your feelings about things – or your search to find out who you are.
Journal entries are private unless intentionally shared, and thus expression of thoughts and feelings can occur without concern for the judgment of others.
There is no correct or incorrect way to journal.
Why Journal?
Journaling has shown to provide relief from grief and anger, reduce depression, improve self-care, and enhance relationships when used with adults in mental healthcare settings.
Research also suggests that reflective writing on meaningful topics significantly improves physical and emotional well-being.
In addition, a journal with dated entries can be used to foster remembering of what was experienced on past dates; as well as to exercise your brain.
Journaling helps to establish self-expression and can be done on your time and in your way.
If you choose to share with family and friends, your journal can be a great way to preserve precious memories as well as a way for family members to connect with each other.
Writing a Journal
The greatest obstacle to journaling is the process of getting started. Especially for anyone with memory loss the best strategy is to pick a time of day that allows for 10 minutes uninterrupted and use that time to journal.
The format you use is completely up to you. Some people prefer it unstructured. You may title a page and include date and time. Either way, try to do the same things each day to create an enjoyable habit.
Writing about life and experiences can seem daunting. Posing questions can help get you started. For example? What 3 things stand out about the Thanksgiving meal? What I liked best and worst about the movie
One does not need to be an experienced writer to express their thoughts and feelings.
The strength and versatility of journaling lies in its simplicity. Journaling can take many forms and little is required beyond the ability to express one’s thoughts.
Journaling can be an effective strategy whether done longitudinally, or briefly and episodically.
Journal writing for as little as 10 – 15 minutes is fine.
Things to add to your Journal
You may be as creative in constructing your journal as you would like. You may include:
Photographs
Music lyrics
Poetry
Cards and letters
Illustrations
Comics
Art work
Pictures from magazines, newspapers
Other mementos that are important to you
The most important thing to remember is that a journal is your own personal account of days and events. Therefore, it can be written to include whatever you want.
