by Betty Castleberry

Created on: July 15, 2008   Last Updated: January 07, 2011

Journaling is more than a hobby. It has a variety of purposes and can be as simple as writing in a notebook. Some people prefer to keep fancier journals or work on a computer. Regardless of the style of the journal, they all have the same functions.

Keeping a record of your daily activities is one reason to keep a journal. Pick a certain time of day to make entries, and stick to it. Most people find making entries at the end of the day works best. Writing at a set time will help journaling become a habit. Adding even a few lines each day can be very rewarding, and you will also be creating a record of the past.

Journaling is great therapy. Get your thoughts and feelings down on paper. Focusing on your actions and reactions will allow you to clearly see how you might do something differently next time. It is also a great emotional release, and it's possible you will gain a whole new perspective on the situation you are writing about. It's not uncommon to feel a sense of empowerment when journaling about conflicts or difficult situations that have come up during the day.

If you enjoy creative writing, there is no better way to stretch your imagination than by keeping a journal. You may find that future story or book ideas reside in the pages of your journal. Write with abandon, because the end result is only for your eyes to see. Break a few writing rules and go wild. Nobody will tell you it's wrong and, in the meantime, you've explored your creative side and hopefully had some fun, too.

Building self confidence is another reason to keep a journal. Write down your accomplishments for the day, and don't forget things that seem insignificant. If you picked up the dry cleaning, write it down. Actually seeing how many things you got done in a day is a great self-esteem booster.

Organization skills can be improved by journaling. Analyze how your day could have gone more smoothly and put it in writing, Make prioritized lists in your journal for the following day.

There are countless reasons to keep a journal, but I keep one because it simply makes me feel good. My journal is something that is totally and completely mine, and I look forward to writing in it. In short, journaling is fun.

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