There’s something magical that happens when you clear your mind and put pen to paper. Journaling is an activity that invokes multiple senses; from the smell of fresh paper to the sound of the pen as it glides across the page.

As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in, this is a time of introspection and long quiet evenings spent at home, so writing a journal is the perfect way to pass the time. 

Journaling isn’t just a way to organise your thoughts or write down important dates, it has proven positive effects on your wellbeing too. There are multiple benefits of journaling, from relieving stress, to sparking creativity and getting in touch with your inner self. We all need to be kind to ourselves after the events of the past 18 months, so if you want to know more about the benefits of journaling, read on. 

Relieve stress

Many of us hold stress and tension in our bodies, in ways that you may not even be aware of. Journaling is a great way to slow down, relieve stress and really get in touch with your body and mind, so it helps to pay attention to the sensations you feel when you’re writing. 

You could try writing in a ‘stream of consciousness’ style first thing in the morning (or before you go to bed) to offload any anxieties from the day. Focus on how you feel as you write, including your breathing, posture and any tension you may be holding in your back or shoulders. If you start to journal regularly, you should find that it helps to relieve any stress you may be carrying. 

Achieve your goals

What would you like to achieve in 2022? The pandemic may have left you feeling adrift but focusing on a goal - either big or small - is a great way to feel grounded. A journal is the perfect place to record your goals, ambitions and aspirations for the new year (or for any time!). 

Writing things down helps to track your progress and feel motivated to continue to that next milestone.

Get (and stay) organised

We understand - some days waking up and getting dressed feels like a mammoth task, let alone tackling everything on your to-do list. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life in general, journaling is an effective way to start getting organised and feeling more in control. 

Personally, I make lists for almost everything; from what I plan to cook that week, to outfits I’m going to wear and important dates/tasks to remember. Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t rigidly stick to the list either - it’s more a way of getting the tangle of thoughts out of your head and onto the page for some extra clarity. 

Inspire creativity 

If the past 18 months have left you feeling stressed and uninspired, don’t worry, it’s been an unbelievably tough time that has challenged even the most resilient of us. It’s important to be gentle with yourself, and don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t written that novel or perfected a new hobby. However, if you are looking to boost your creativity, journaling is a relaxed, easy way to spark your imagination and get into a creative headspace. 

Self-reflection 

The 17th century diarist Samuel Pepys was amongst the first to take journaling beyond business transactions and into the realm of the personal. In some ways it’s surprising that it took until the 1600s, as we all need a safe space to record our innermost thoughts and feelings. Journaling is a great tool for self-reflection and the physical act of writing things down can help you make sense of things if you’re feeling overwhelmed. 

Some people like to write first thing in the morning, or you may prefer to journal just before you go to bed, to help you organise your thoughts ready for a new day. 

How to write a journal

Not sure where to begin? There’s no ‘wrong’ way to journal but these tips can help you get started. 

• If you can’t think of what to write, start by simply describing your surroundings, an object in the room, or how you’re currently feeling.
• Try to write every day. You don’t need to dedicate a huge chunk of time either, even just five minutes a day can be highly effective. 
• Choose a notebook you love. You’ll be far more tempted to write if you have a beautiful notebook to record in. 

Forage Design Notebooks - The Perfect Gift (even to yourself!) 

Give a loved one (or yourself!) the gift of journaling with a beautiful notebook from Forage Design. Our leather bound notebooks are available in a range of sizes and designs, including embossed covers and stunning gemstone details. Our notebooks make the perfect gift, or why not browse our range of hand-crafted jewellery to make someone feel  extra special.