Have something to say...? Write it down!
I remember in my high-school years, I kept a semi-regular diary. I would write down my thoughts, observations and other bits and bobs that came to mind.That writing helped me through some trying times as a teenager and helped me get through my awkward years.
Along the way, while doing this whole growing up thing, you know; getting married, having kids, work... I lost it. But when my little girls started going to school they helped me rediscover this awesome habit. My girls just love to read, write and do any kind of arts and crafts. Watching them do these activities and seeing how much joy it brought them I decided to read more pick up a journal and start writing again.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not writing a novel here or an autobiography, but as someone who suffers from anxiety, I find reading and writing to be extremely cleansing for the mind and soul.
Regular Writing has Mental Health Benefits
Writing really can do wonders for your health. Regular writing gets your creative juices flowing, helps you recall memories or events and also gives you a safe, purifying outlet for your day-to-day stresses.
Keeping a daily journal about how awesome you are can really do wonders for your self-esteem or maybe you can take up creative writing! Fiction or non-fiction they both will do wonders for you.
There is so much data out there about the mental and emotional benefits of journaling that even mental health professionals often encourage their patients to take it up. Feel free to check out the Center for Journal Therapy for more information on the topic.
Harness Your Creativity
I talked about some of the mental health benefits but the creative benefits are awesome as well! Regular writing can help you learn to process and communicate complex ideas more effectively. This is an important and often over looked skill that can really help you at work. Just like any skill you need to practice to get better at it and that's what regular writing does, it helps you practice those communications skills. It also helps with your memorization and makes you better at breaking down your complex experiences into useful, digestible and organized information.
I hope I have convinced you to start a journal, any journal, it just takes 15-20 minutes a few times a week, but once you start you will find yourself writing every day.
Please check out the shop for a journal to help get you started. We have plain journals and guided journals that can help get you started.
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