Why You Need “Dear Diary.”
The Secret to Sanity.
September 27, 2024
Hey there, wonderful community!
Journaling is something my sisters and I swear by. It has helped us take the load off our minds, process our emotions, and make sense of situations.
When I say "journaling," I’m NOT talking about jotting down five things you’re grateful for or writing daily mantras. I mean getting everything out—going wild with your writing. You know those thoughts you wouldn’t even share with your closest friend? The ones you wish you didn’t have? Those are the ones you need to put on paper. Let your whiny, grumpy, petty, and angry sides spill out.
Honestly, I used to hold back in my journals because I thought it was wrong to think certain way. I couldn’t accept those thoughts, even though it was just between me and the pages. But I always felt a sense of unease, like there was more to say.
That's when I learned about the Morning Pages by Julia Cameron.
She describes the morning pages is like "Taking your shadow out for a cup of coffee" and getting to know the darker corners of your psyche. I love that!
Julia emphasizes doing this first thing in the morning when your mind is fresh, writing before you’re influenced by the outside world. It helps clear your mind and keeps you more conscious throughout the day. However, I journal at various times, whenever I can sit down with my thoughts, which is usually in the evenings. Time is not a major factor here.
Here are some tips for your Journaling Journey.
Be Fearless- Don't hold back when writing in your journal. Let go of any fear of judgment and write down whatever comes to mind, no matter how petty, silly, whiny, or outrageous it may seem. You need to be able to spill all of your thoughts onto paper.
Be Real- Never censor yourself in your journal entries. It's all about boosting self-awareness and feeling lighter. If you're worried about someone stumbling upon your journals, you can always get rid of them.
Don’t Let Anybody Read It- I’m serious! Do not let ANYONE touch your journal, not even a peek. Even you shouldn’t read it – at least for a while. If you have the slightest fear that someone is going to read it, you will not be honest with the pages and honesty is key to the magic of journaling. If you’re afraid of prying eyes, hide it or you can shred/ burn your pages after writing.
There is No Wrong Way- Your journal is your space. There are no rules, right or wrong way to do them. So feel free to write, doodle, or jot down whatever comes to mind.
Forget the Writing Rules- When Journaling you are not trying to write a bestseller. Don't stress about style or grammar. Just let your raw emotions and thoughts flow onto the pages.
Write in Longhand- It is important that you do this with pen and paper. Do not type it on your phone or laptop (unless u want to slam ur keyboard and throw it across the room, lol jk). But no seriously, grab a pen and paper to really connect with your thoughts. Writing by hand allows you to truly process your feelings without editing as you go.
Get Comfortable- Find a peaceful spot, minimize distractions, and focus on your writing. Try to make it a habit to write every day or at least once a week.
Trust me, when you let out all your raw thoughts, you will find yourself giggling a little by the end of it. Without judgment, you gain a better perspective, and whatever you've expressed is just between you and your paper.
But most importantly remember, “You are Not your Thoughts, You are the Observer of Your Thoughts.”
Happy writing!
With Love,
Safaa.