Siapa dulu masa kecil-kecil hid their diary under their pillow, or mattress, or a secret hiding place? Mestilah kita sorok our diary, kan? It’s where we express our feelings, and worries without any fear. We probably felt relieved writing all of those emotions, ideas and inspirations down. (I know I did, hehe).
In fact, I know some of us had a lock on our diaries! Ala, you know! Yang ada 3-digit number code tu? And let’s not pretend that we didn’t put on our Sherlock Holmes hat whenever we found our friend’s diary, trying to figure out how to unlock theirs diary. Kelakar kan?
But, as we reach adulthood, responsibilities, and commitments take a hold on us. Before we knew it, we quit journaling, because let’s face it, adulting is hard, and exhausting. .
Well, my dear friends, it’s because of that, I strongly encourage you to pick up the habit of journaling in 2023.
“But I Don’t Have The Time!”
I hear you. And here’s the beauty of journaling: it’s fluid.
No, I don’t mean fluid macam air. What I’m trying to say is that journaling is flexible as there’s no right or wrong practice to journaling. Check it:
- Medium? You can opt for a physical journal, or a digital journal. Guna application notes on your iPhone pun boleh je.
- Time? That’s your call. You can schedule a journaling session on your calendar, or you can even do it whenever life overwhelms you, or before you end or start your day.
- Format? Ala, bukan nak bagi J. K Rowling baca pun kan? So, whatever works for you! Whether it’s in point form, or a series of paragraphs, the important thing is that it’s convenient for you.
- Language? As long as it’s coherent to you, that’s what matters. You can even create your own language, or write in riddles if you’re feeling creative!
It truly is a unique sensation that comes in many forms. So, the question is: what’s YOUR journaling style?
“But Why Should I Do It?”
Hey, it’s only fair for you to know what’s in it for you kan.
Well, according to this research, journaling helps hasten the healing of those who are dealing with different mood disorders. (Woah!) Repetitive, bothersome thoughts can be challenging to understand. Tapi bila you tulis your thoughts and feelings, you may be able to properly process them, and eventually learn to let them go, and move on.
**Side note: if you’re experiencing any mild or severe symptoms of any disorders, please check in with your doctor to receive proper diagnosis, and treatment.
Bukan itu je, journaling increases your level of self-expression, and productivity.
In fact, journaling has been proven to be efficient in processing high emotions, and as a coping mechanism during challenging, and uncertain times. It has also been demonstrated that keeping a journal can improve mental health, and lessen the symptoms of despair and anxiety.
Tak percaya? Well, participants in a 2018 Cambridge University study were asked to write about their most stressful or distressing incidents in their lives. The study found that those who spent 15 minutes a day writing about their experiences reported fewer doctor visits, and fewer sick days four months later.
Seeing how journaling offers many benefits to your mental health, why not add it to your 2023 New Year’s resolution?
“Tapi Macam Mana Nak Start?”
Right off the bat, you must find out which method suits you best. For instance, do you find more relief journaling on your laptop, or by writing in a book? And if you’re more of a tech enthusiast, there is a list of journaling applications for you to consider.
Again, there’s no right or wrong answer.
Even on days where you’re feeling blue, sticking to a writing habit, and scheduling a time for journaling can help boost your mood, and encourage discipline.
I’m going to be straight with you: it might be awkward sikit in the beginning. But jangan risau. That’s what makes journaling fun! The freedom of self-expression is truly liberating. So, don’t hold back – give your journal entries a personal touch (scribbles, doodles, stickers, and sketches), and let it reflect who you are.
And if you’re like me, who gets annoyed at her chicken-scratch handwriting, chill je. You’re probably just out of practice. Overtime, your handwriting will improve, and you might find yourself feeling proud seeing how much better your handwriting has gotten.
Kalau you need a little inspiration: Pinterest if your best friend. But thread this water carefully. Pinterest, and Instagram should serve as a source of inspiration, and motivation. Don’t let wobbly cursives, or mismatched colours, or that it’s not insta-worthy deter you. At the end of the day, your journal is a tool for you to express yourself, a creative outlet – it’s not about creating aesthetically-pleasing content for your Instragm feed.
Sekarang you dah faham the art of journaling, make journaling our joint commitment for 2023! May it help improve our happiness, mental health, and improve our sense of appreciation for ourselves, and for life.
Seronok baca? Jom get instant alerts on how you can take charge of your health by subscribing to our newsletter. All the T’s (topics, trends, tips and tricks, and tidbits) conveniently in your inbox!
Disclaimer: Our content is strictly for educational and informational purposes only. Healthlah.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
