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The practice of keeping a journal is one that has been around for hundreds of years, dating all the way back to 10th century Japan. Leaders have kept them to preserve information and experiences for future generations. Writers have kept them to record their reflections and hone their skills. Still others have kept them simply for the sake of getting to know themselves better or for recording ideas that they want to remember. There are as many different reasons for starting a journal as there are types of people in the world. Starting and keeping one of your own can benefit you in a variety of ways.

GET TO KNOW YOURSELF BETTER

Keeping a journal gives you a chance to get in touch with the real you by allowing you to express yourself in a way that is natural and uncensored. You're able to get to the root of your beliefs and explore what they mean to you. You're able to clarify your feelings in regards to your life and the people in it. Both the act of writing these things down in a journal, as well as the insight that comes from going back and reading older entries, can be a powerful tool for achieving true self awareness, teaching you things about yourself that you never quite realized before.

FIND SOLUTIONS TO YOUR PROBLEMS

Sometimes the simple act of writing about difficult situations, or even everyday problems, can help you find solutions that hadn't occurred to you previously. In our daily lives, we normally try to think our way out of life's little jams by tapping into our left brain, which is in charge of logical thinking. The creative act of writing stimulates the intuitive right side of your brain, allowing you to address problems in ways you normally wouldn't, unlocking the possibility to discover new solutions.

IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

We all know lashing out at a loved one in the heat of anger, or stewing over arguments, can do more harm than good. Since your journal is for your eyes only, it gives you a place to release that tension through writing about it in a candid, no-holds-barred manner. This process also helps you decide how you really feel about the people and relationships in your life. It helps you identify situations that may be toxic. It also helps you love with less judgment, as you will be better able to see things from someone else's point of view, ultimately making your relationship with that person stronger.

BECOME A BETTER WRITER

We've all been told before that practice makes perfect. This is no less true of writing. It isn't what you

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