7 Ways Keeping a Journal Can Make You a Better Human

I'm one of those people who always kept a journal.

It started with a Disney diary in elementary school, then morphed into the heart lock kind in high school. Later, my college roommates and I even kept a journal where we took turns writing in it as sort of memory book. Through all the twists and turns of my adult life, marriage, being a mom, stepmom and now empty nester, the journal has been the constant place to chart my days.

What I love most is that the journal never gets mad at me, never gets tired of me and is always patiently waiting to know what I think, every single day. It has served as a therapist, dumping grounds, vessel for heartfelt prayers, whispered longings and triumphant celebrations. Capturing the ramblings of my heart on paper has given me a space to know what it means to be fully me.

I know not everyone loves the idea of a journal. "What if someone reads it?" my friends ask (they would be bored, I say). Or "what if I don't know what to write?" (keep going, I tell them). If you're someone that rolls your eyes at journaling, I understand - but bear with me as I hope to change your mind.

Here's my invitation to consider how it might transform your life with the simple, beautiful act of recording your days.

How Keeping a Journal Makes Me a Better Human

1. What's Really Going on Here?

   Many days I wake up, look at the blank page and have nothing to say. I ask myself, "what's really going on in my heart today?" It always starts off with ordinary stuff like, "today is Tuesday and I slept terrible because I can't stop ruminating about taxes." But when I keep going, that's when the gold shows up. The journal can be an honest place to look at the daily landscape of your heart.

   
   

2. Dare to Dream, On Paper.

   Its so fun to dream on paper in a journal. To "try on" new versions of yourself and ask yourself curious things. Questions like, "if I could wake up and pursue what I truly love, what would I do first?" It's space for you to reinvent yourself, dream up plans, new personal inspirations. Recently I noticed that I keep dreaming on paper about being a fiction novelist, even though that idea terrifies me. But what a joy to explore a new possibility. The journal reveals the deep desires and curious hopes of the heart.

   
   

3. Transform Your Mind.

   When I'm struggling, here's what it looks like on paper: "poor me, poor me, this is awful." When I write that enough times, I ultimately become sick of yourself and tired of writing it. That's when I know it's time to change the narrative to something better. When I'm complaining about my husband repeatedly, I begin to rewrite the script by saying, "How am I caring for him? What if this is exactly what is needed to strenthen your marriage?" The journal reveals the truth and invites my wise self to change the narrative.

   
   

4. A Deep Think.

   Sometimes I hear something and it feels h-e-a-v-y. Once someone told me I was a highly complex person (not in a good way). Another person casually asked me, "Is God enough for you?" Statements like that felt like a skillet to the forehead and required me to sit with them for awhile. I use my journal to have a "deep think" on what those words mean. This is not prizewinning writing. This is a place to practice surrendering ego and pride and considering what parts are helpful, harmful, or equipping. (all of it) The journal is a rich vessel to process hard and beautiful things.

   
   

5. Junk Removal.

   The best part of keeping a journal is that you can dump all sorts of junky thoughts down to remove them from your heart. A virtual cleaning of the mind. You can be brutally honest, you can be cruel, you can be just plain mean if you want. And it doesn't hurt anyone. I call those "junk journals" where I just need to get it off my heart and clear away all the terrible things. Those journals are best shredded or thrown away once complete. The journal can handle your biggest fears, angry ruminations or meanest thoughts. In the wise words of Shrek, "better out than in."

   
   

6. A Life Raft For the Heart.

   When my mom was dying, I wrote down every scripture I could find about God's abundant love. I didn't write about what I thought about those things, I only wrote down the scripture, copying it in my own hand to make it personal for me. I carried that little journal around with me as I grieved and continue to turn to it when I miss her. During that season of deep loss it became something good to hold on to. When I need it's heartfelt care, I turn to the words - from the Father - but written personally to me. Whatever you are going through, find healing words that remind you of goodness, and use them as balm for your heart.

   
   

7. Capturing the Good Stuff.

   There is one journal I keep called the "Good Things Journal." Many years ago, I was noticing a pattern that my journals were truly the ugliest parts of me. I wondered if my family would find those and think I was the saddest person alive. Not that everything needed to be sunshine and roses, but I wanted to have at least one journal that captured, "only the good stuff." In this journal, I have filled it with beautiful things I find in books, scripture, life, cool quotes, recipes, and sweet memories from holidays, family gatherings and various seasons of life. When I'm feeling blue, I open the Good Things Journal and it reminds me of all of the gratitude, blesssings and abundant love I have experienced in my lifetime. If my home were ever on fire, the Good Things Journal would be one of my top things to rescue. It is full of so much beauty and is overflowing with reminders of goodness in my life. The journal can be a place to capture the most lovely parts of your life.

   
   

   What About You?

   Whether you have kept a journal all of your life or are considering it for the first time, I invite you to find a way to make it a part of the daily rhythm. If you don't know where to begin, start in the simplest way you know how, with a dimestore notebook and listing three things you are grateful for today. If you're already a vast journaler, consider going deeper with a journal that inspires you for what you need most right now in this season.

   
   

   My invitation is to allow the journal to be a beautiful enrichment for your life - capturing and savoring a life well lived.

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