Everyone talks about journaling and how writing stuff down is key to having a clear mind and in being able to organise all of your thoughts. I was inspired to write this post after watching a recent interview with Noah Centineo (GQ), who talks about a journal he was given by his manager where he can just write out all of his thoughts and feelings as he has a tendency to bottle them up inside. I found this particularly interesting given that it does make sense, especially for someone in the limelight. It is essential for someone in that position, big or small, would need somewhere where they could just shut out the world and express themselves freely – without any fear of backlash from the media and just society in general.
On the other hand, whether you’ve starred in films or are starring in the movie that is your life, we all need a place to unleash our thoughts and feelings. We struggle with things every day to the point that airing stuff out and (how I like to say) emptying the jam jar is necessary!
Nevertheless, I never used to see myself as this person. I tried. I failed. I admit, I have fond memories of buying the secret message/ink diary where no one could see what you wrote to buying a diary with a lock and key and all of them ended up the same way…half-written and forgotten about. It seemed I would only write stuff down when something bad was happening and never when something positive happened so I would in a way end up with a book full of bad memories (which wasn’t necessary because my memory was already very skilled in that department).
This all happened before therapy. Therapy introduced me to creating my own way of journaling, where I make a list of all the positive things that happened in that day or since the last time I wrote in the diary and then after that, I have free rein to write about whatever is bothering me – no format whatsoever. I don’t need to write in it every day, I don’t need to schedule in time for it but I at least have two sides to my story so that when I do look back on it in the future and flick through, I don’t have this negative cloud hanging over me.
All of this now leads me onto my next point – the inspo for my blog posts and the reason why I started writing them. A place where after around 6 months or so, I would look back through my diary and see the things that were so significant to me that are no longer affecting me now. Topics, struggles, things that I can talk about freely because I am now able to distance myself a little bit (emotionally) and write about it clearly.
I felt like writing an appreciation post. A post that talks about journaling and how instrumental it can be in our lives. I hated writing difficult stuff down with a passion but it can actually make it easier for when you do decide to talk about them. The stuff you’ve been able to dissect yourself or with someone in your own space and time.
How many of you have tried journaling?
Do you find it beneficial or a complete waste of time?
The Anxious Portuguesa 