Journaling is one of my favorite activities. I have been journaling for almost 18 years. The act of putting my thoughts onto paper helps me keep the clutter in my mind at bay.
I don’t always know what to write in my journal. But when I sit down to fill the page with my thoughts, words appear on the page, surprising me.
I’ve had significant revelations unfold on these pages during such journaling sessions, unbeknownst to me. To me, journaling is like talking to a dear friend with whom I can be myself without the fear of judgment.
I have learned to trust my intuitions and stay true to myself through journaling.
But there were times when I couldn’t write a word either. Times when I thought I had lost my touch with journaling. I would wait for words to appear, but a blank page would stare back at me.
It still happens. However, years of journaling have taught me that it’s okay when I find it difficult to write down my thoughts. Some days, or weeks, are like that. It’s okay.
So journaling or the lack of it always leaves behind these insights for me to ponder.
Nevertheless, I show up to journal every day.
It’s more like being in tune with oneself, without forcing oneself to appear a certain way, but just being. The pages where I have written only one sentence or one word show that I was not in the right state of mind to write. I accept that. If I can’t accept my state of mind and force myself to write, then how’s it fair to expect someone else to understand me? See, the kind of nuggets of wisdom that journaling has led me to?
When I look back at the old entries, instead of judging myself for being lazy and not writing longer entries, I remind myself to be kind.
So, yes, journaling helps me more than I realize. I don’t always feel like carrying around this heavy baggage of unwanted thoughts because my journal does the heavy lifting and helps me feel lighter.
Joining Esha and Shilpa for #SoulfulSunday this week.
This post is written in response to the one hundred and sixty eighth edition of Fiction Monday inspired by the word prompt – WAIT hosted at Reflections by yours truly. Do join in if you have a tale to tell.
Void Thoughts 
I used to journal some time ago, then stopped. I started again a couple of days back and it feels so good to be able to pour your heart out without the fear of being judged. I have been making art for quite some time now and writing had taken a back seat. In fact, I panicked when I couldn’t write a single word for the latest BAR prompt! That’s when I realised I needed to get things out of my head, to exercise my writing muscles even if it meant writing junk. And it’s worked like a charm! Today, I finally wrote that fiction piece and all in one sitting! I knew journaling helps us articulate our thoughts better and get into the writing groove, but this is the first time I have seen the miracles of journaling. 🙂
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Journalling is wonderful. Thank you for reminding me of that. I’ve been working on making regular journal entries, because I also find that it helps relieve stress and provides an outlet to express myself in a form that no one else will read or judge. I’ve fallen off track for a while, but this post has prompted me to get back to it!
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I love the self-compassion that you practise through the journalling habit, Vinitha! Can totally relate to the days like that when not a word comes out and yet, those days are needed too…Showing up is very important for the mental clarity and for the unburdening, even on the days when writing looks impossibly difficult. Glad you’re doing it and inspiring others too, whether or not you intended it that way. I’m at a stage when journalling is feeling like a chore but I’m putting myself through it anyway. After the recent round of illness that I’m going through, the lack of energy and motivation has been a real issue. Reading your post, I’m keeping myself hopeful that i will eventually come back feeling lighter and better soon.
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