As a 23-year-old masters student, life can get really overwhelming and I’ve often looked for an outlet to clear my mind after the long days of studying. Typically, I enjoy going on long walks, listening to music, or playing with my dog to give my mind a break. Recently, I came across journaling as a helpful outlet for me. Journaling has offered me a secure environment for introspection and self-expression, greatly impacting my mental well-being. I started to journal when I noticed that my mind was filled with a million thoughts with nowhere for them to go. Having a place to write down my ideas and feelings has allowed me to control my stress levels and has made me significantly more emotionally aware. Through my experience, I have noticed that by journaling, I can explore a greater understanding of myself through the deeper exploration of my personal experiences.
Five ways journaling has improved my overall mental wellbeing:
- Stress Reduction
- Writing about my distressing experiences has lessened my emotional intensity, eased my anxiety and encouraged relaxation.
- Goal Setting
- Journaling has given me a space to document personal goals. Setting and monitoring my goals through journaling has inspired me and provided me with a sense of achievement as I evaluate my development.
- Emotional Regulation
- Journaling has enabled me to express my ideas and emotions, facilitating the processing of difficult feelings and the development of clarity on my personal experiences.
- Building Resilience
- I have strengthened my sense of resilience by reflecting on prior struggles and how I overcame them, giving me the confidence to confront problems in the future.
- Encouraging Routine
- Journaling regularly has provided me with stability and structure, giving me reassurance when things are unclear.
Journaling has given me a space to be my most vulnerable self. It has allowed me an opportunity to open up to my fullest extent and dive deeper into the thoughts and feelings that I am experiencing. Personally, I prefer to journal right before bedtime; I find it most beneficial at this time as it allows me to calm my brain and wind down for the night. After I finish documenting my thoughts and feelings, I often feel a great sense of relief, allowing me to go to sleep at ease and freeing my mind of all the busyness that the day has caused.
Written by Jordan Sinclair, MACP (IP)
About Jordan – Jordan is a 1st year master’s student at Yorkville University. She is working towards obtaining her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. In the future, she hopes to work as a youth counsellor, assisting the younger generation in their journey through counselling. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on long walks, and playing with her dog, Maggie!
Edited by Dr. Silvina Galperin, C. Psych
