Your Journal Answers To No One But You

There are different reasons why some people do not journal. Apart from a belief that a journal is only meant for young kids, some actually feel that writing is not their cup of tea, so they never even attempt to journal.

Some may feel self-conscious; others can’t overcome writer’s block. Some people may feel intimidated by the blank pages in front of them or think that they could not be themselves. One big point of resistance for many is that they feel uncomfortable in revealing their hearts and minds in a readable form, thinking that others could easily read it and judge them for it.

Yet, here is the truth – your journal is no one else’s business except your own. It is meant to be written and read only by you. It is a deeply personal and private matter that can be likened to taking a bath. It is yours, and you are in no way obligated to share it with others (unless you freely choose to let someone read it).

A journal’s purpose can be many, but it can always simply be for your own self-care and self-expression. Release the belief that it has to be an obligation and one you will be judged for by others. You are free to express whatever your heart and mind want to let out in your journal. There are no other rules, except to use it for yourself. Writing a journal is a very personal thing, and that is what makes it so beautiful.

What Should You Write in Your Journal?

A journal can be many things. You can use it to express your most incoherent or unstructured thoughts and emotions. You can write in it mundane things about your day to document your life. Or you can use it as a free space to unleash your creativity.

Whether you choose to write a journal to make sense of your emotions and thoughts, or to start feeling more positive energy and creativity flow into your daily life, regular writing and use of your journal will often lead to more positive experiences within yourself and in your physically experienced life.

Should you start asking yourself what you need to write in your journal, rephrase the question by asking instead, “what do I want to write in it?” It’s all about you!

If you don’t know what you want, or feel confused as to your direction in different areas of your life, a journal can be a great starting point for providing focus, as well as a wonderful tool for self-discovery.

A Journal Ought to Be Private

A journal is mainly designed for an audience of one. It is designed to be a safe space for being yourself. It isn’t meant to be shared with everyone in your circle, unlike how a social media network is designed to publicize your life to all your connections.

Sadly, too many people no longer find time to sit alone with their thoughts and write their minds and hearts out in such a safe space, but instead, choose to publicize everything about their life and even their personal thoughts on social media.

People coming together in such a shared space, which is supposedly designed to connect, often instead go to social media to unleash their emotions in the form of fiery anger and hate speech. This is so common nowadays that social media has, for many, become an unsafe space for their mental wellbeing.

While it shouldn’t stop us from freely voicing our thoughts, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it helps to be reminded of its main purpose, which is ultimately to connect with others. In social media, you connect. However, it is not really the best place to unleash your mind, especially if you simply want a safe space for releasing your current and possibly temporary thoughts and emotions.

People will always have an opinion and will have something good or bad to say about you based on what they know or think they know about you. Judgment causes tension and stress. A difference of opinions will often inevitably lead to unhealthy confrontations and conflict. Evidently, social media has facilitated a lot of these unhealthy patterns, causing more comparisons and people questioning their own self-worth.

If you feel vulnerable to this pattern, it is a great sign to start going back to the basics and rekindle the art of journaling. In a journal, you are free to be yourself and also free to change your mind if you feel like it without anyone judging you. It is the safest place that you can be yourself!