Journaling is a word that is used often these days. But what is journaling, exactly? How is it different than keeping a traditional diary?

Journaling is the consistent practice of writing down your experiences, emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a notebook or even in a digital format. It is an excellent tool for self-discovery, for diving deep into your own psyche, for releasing difficult emotions and reducing anxiety, and for tapping into your creative core.

The primary key to effective journaling is first to establish a consistent habit. The majority of journalers write every day, even for 10 minutes.

There are many forms of journaling, and you may want to try them all to find one (or more) that resonates with you best. Here are a few journaling styles to get you started.

• Stream-of-consciousness journaling: This form is the easiest to start with on a daily basis. Simply establish a time every day to write down whatever comes to mind. Leave the critic at the door, forget about grammar and punctuation, and just let your writing flow.
• Gratitude journaling: This form is quite popular right now. Writing down what you are thankful for every day has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood.
• Dream journaling: Capturing your dreams can be fun and illustrative. It takes a bit of planning and dedication, but the main idea is to keep a pen and notebook at your bedside where you write down what you remember immediately upon awakening.
• Art journaling: You do not have to be a professional artist to benefit from this form of journaling! It can be anything you want including using tools such as colored pencils or pens, gluing ephemera, drawing, watercolor, anything at all.

What is the difference between journaling and keeping a traditional diary?

Simply put, a diary is usually a record of daily events without much deep reflection. For example, one might write, “Today we had ice cream at Magill’s Ice Cream Parlor and then we went to O’Brien Park.”

A journal is deeper and far more reflective, used as a tool for self-discovery, stress relief, and personal growth. It goes into the joys and challenges of what it’s like to live as a human in this world!

Do you have a daily journaling practice?

Watch for my upcoming online journaling workshop series, or if you live in Grand Junction, Colorado, I often host in-person workshops! Check the main website page for my latest offerings.