Writing in a Journal: Tips and Advice from BeingGirl

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Added November 21, 2011

Writing In A Journal

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When 15-year-old Kristin's parents divorced, she turned to her most trusted confidante for support: her journal. "I wasn't even sure how I felt until writing it in a journal," she remembers. "I was anxious and depressed, a lethal combination if you let it all hang out. Once I was able to hear myself think by writing it in a journal, I was able to decide more calmly how I wanted to act."

"My friend lied to me, embarrassed me, and betrayed me," explained Amy, "and I was so angry I thought I would explode. I knew if I just yelled at her, I'd be sorry for what came out of my mouth. Plus telling her I hated her wouldn't accomplish anything. Writing in a journal gave me a safe outlet that cleared my head enough to have a rational conversation and make her understand how devastated I was."

Ask Gwyenth Paltrow or Madonna what a nonjudgmental, forgiving activity writing in a journal can be! No matter the notebook, the spelling, or the writing instrument, whether you are writing in a journal every day, once a month, or twice a year, if you're under a tree, in bed, or at the computer, spending quiet private time writing your thoughts in a journal is always worthwhile. Honest reflection gives you a chance to cope with tragedy, solve love problems, make tough decisions, and become more creative all without risk. Scribbling down anything that's on your mind, including nonsense you make up, is liberating. Writing in a journal what you feel, not what you think someone else wants you to feel, brings comfort...and quite often the answers you never knew you knew.

Writing in a Journal—What if you hate to write?

There's no doubt about it, writing is hard work—but only if you're concerned with rules and neatness and being judged. None of that matters when writing in a journal. Write quickly and don't worry about messing up. No need to cross out or make corrections. The great thing about spilling your thoughts and pouring your heart out is that it's just for you. Rereading what you've written can help you understand recurring patterns and themes in your life—some good, some you don't ever want to repeat. Make sure you stash your journal in a safe place. Then discover how hearing your own voice, as distinctively unique as your fingerprint, can be an amazing confidence-building activity.

Writing in a Journal—How can writing to yourself be good for your health?

While it's not difficult to understand how writing in a journal is good for your emotional health, research has shown your body profits as well. Recording thoughts and feelings increases the number of our disease-fighting white blood cells, leading to a strengthened immune system. Another study revealed that those suffering from asthma showed significant improvement after writing about (and so releasing) the stresses in their lives.

Writing in a Journal—What if you haven't a clue what to write about?

Everyone who writes regularly gets stuck sometimes for ideas. Here are few suggestions to get you started:

Think of a situation that remains unresolved. It could be telling a friend who moved how much you miss her, a teacher from last semester how unfair you thought she was, a cute boy how cute he appears in your dreams. Then write him or her a letter you have no intention of mailing.

Write down the date exactly a year from today. Then describe your life as you would like it to be.

Detail a conversation between yourself and an inanimate thing: your favorite food, your worst habit, the body part you hate the worst.

Don't forget to write about the good things in life: a great movie, an amazing grade, a beautiful present.

Just commit the time. Doodle, write a poem, make a wish list, record your dreams. Don't be concerned with making sense. When you reread your entries later, you'll be surprised what you'll pick up that you didn't realize when you wrote it.

Make believe you are 30. Where are you? What have you accomplished? Write down some advice your teenage self might learn from.

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comments so far

sweetkitty14

Posted October 29, 2012

By the way, if you write in a diary, DO NOT tell any family member that you do, and hide it a super secret place that's hard to reach. I hide my two journals under the last drawer board (bottom of the drawer), and I've had my secret things there for years!

sweetkitty14

Posted October 29, 2012

I also recommend reading Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl, which shows such beautiful and strong writing from a 15 year old girl who lived thru the holocaust and died in the end. You'll cry as you read it, but your problems will definitely seem smaller.

0012crazykid190

Posted August 16, 2012

I write...but I'm not extremely organized, so I have random things written down all over the place....I would be horrified for anyone to read it. My stepmom cleans my stepsister and my room, and when she finds notebooks or papers she flips through them...eeeeesh! HELP!!!!!

Shanna Swagg

Posted July 25, 2012

I had a diary and wrote inside that I hated my father. But now as I was looking for my diary my dad came home,told me he read it and we didnt talk for almost a week. Im mad at him for reading my diary but should I be mad at myself for what I did?

girlygirl8903

Posted September 20, 2012

hey girls, another good idea if your parent or sibling or whoever reads your diary and won't stop: read their diary (if they have one). My sister kept on reading my diary and nothing anyone did stopped her, so I read her diary, and then she stopped reading mine! hahahaha!!!!! u should have seen the look on her face! xD

Christinebeetomboy26

Posted July 12, 2012

Right now my parents are getting a divorce, I am keeping a "family problem note book" I write down all the things that bother me about what is happening in my family, for people who dont like to talk its much better than bottling your feelings inside! it really does help!

hatsune_miku_XD

Posted July 12, 2012

Some people think it's childish and girly to have a diary. But it's great to have one with you cuz' you can secrets you can't tell! its awesome to have one with you at all times

Hellokitty555

Posted May 05, 2012

i try to write in journals but im not good at keeping up with them and my thoughts fly so fast its impossible for me to write many of them. but i like the idea of writing what i want my life to be in a year

Silver Moon Beam

Posted May 05, 2012

I always hide my diary. Some good places to hide it are: in your underwear drawer (just don't forget it there!), inside a piece of clothing in your closet, inside your pillowcase at night when you're sleeping, and under your mattress. I write in my diary every day, and I've really seen an improvement in my writing.