by Linda L Kinyon

Created on: April 06, 2009   Last Updated: June 17, 2009

Journaling can be very beneficial for a myriad of reasons. In the story of Anne Frank for example, journaling (also known as writing in a diary) provided young Anne with a way to as an outlet for her feelings during their time when they were hidden from the Germans. Many have read her journal over the years. Crying about her plight and fondly admiring and remembering the young Anne.

Journaling is a great outlet for someone in jail to express their feelings. Perhaps they can think about why they are there and write out reasons to not start into a life of crime. Sharing ones personal story can often prevent the youth of today from falling prey to the temptations of drugs, alcohol and a life of crime. If a criminals story saves one young person from a life of crime and drug or alcohol addiction, the story was worth being written.

Young teens often have an excess of hormones and journaling is a great outlet for them to vent their feelings. A few years later many of them look back and realize that life was not as bad as they really thought it was. Perhaps they can even go further and help another youth in the same situation and reassure them that things will get better.

Keeping a journal regarding family events is a great legacy for our children. Often the old stories are lost over the years. If they are jotted down in a journal the family legacy can be passed on to our children and their children and their children's children.

Scrap bookers often use journaling to augment a picture. Writing a short clip about the person, place or event will remind them of the picture years later. Other family members will treasure the scrap book long after the scrap booker is gone, knowing that the scrap booker saved a part of their heritage also.

Writers often start out by journaling everything. Sometimes they get an idea and jot it down on the nearest piece of paper and eventually those ideas wind up as a book or article.

The classic movie The Notebook is another prime example of journaling. This woman knew she was going into Alzheimer's disease and her husband faithfully read to her everyday out of a journal. Imagine what a legacy that would leave behind for ones offspring.

Journaling can be a great form of relaxation. It can be stress reducing and a great form of self expression. There are many great benefits to journaling that one can appreciate and enjoy.

Carving out time to journal can often be another challenge. For some they might write in a journal or diary right before bed. For others it might be over their morning coffee or through out the day. Whatever your goals or reasons for journaling, setting aside a time to journal on a daily basis will help keep your momentum going.

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