Life is overwhelming. You’re not alone if your overflowing emotions sometimes disrupt your wellness. Have you ever thought of using a journal to transfer your mental tornado onto paper? It’s a great way to vent and release your inner tension caused by anxiety or stress whilst simultaneously creating something beautiful.

There are no rules to journaling, however, here are some tips and potential prompts to ensure you make the most out of the journey to better your wellbeing.

Aesthetics 

Start the process by finding a theme that you love. Incorporate patterns, materials and artwork that reflect your personality and make you feel at peace. Insert your own pictures and depict your thoughts in whatever creative way suits you best.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the budget to buy extra supplies! You can create a gorgeous spread by using things you may have at home such as old magazine cut outs, tickets and random materials. 

Benefits

There’s certainly a connection between beauty and happiness, if you make your journal look great, you’ll feel better when working on it. Similarly, according to colour psychologists, different hues evoke different emotions. For example, colours such as red are stimulating whilst cooler tones such as blue are soothing, perhaps keep this in mind when creating.

Time Out

Whether you spend 2 minutes or 2 hours working on the journal, taking time out of your day to focus entirely on yourself is important. Light a candle, make a cup of tea, play some music and grab your pen.

Benefits

Spending time alone has been proven to increase empathy, aid mental strength and help you become more comfortable in your own skin. In a world so obsessed with technology and social media, it is a very healthy habit to shut off your phone for a while and dedicate time to indulge in yourself, another reason why journaling may help improve your mental wellbeing.

Expression

The ‘dear diary’ narrative is often associated with children but the process of journaling is beneficial for those of all ages, especially as life becomes more hectic. Writing things down will not only keep certain memories alive but also help you manifest, rationalise and de-stress.

Benefits

Expressive journaling can benefit your mental wellness as you explore the depth of your being. Sometimes it can be difficult to communicate your internal dialogue with other people due to fear of judgement or insecurity. A journal to write and reflect on will help you come to terms with how you are feeling and take a weight off your shoulders each time you convert a bad thought into a positive reflection.

You don’t have to wait for a new year to start a diary, now is a great time to begin your journaling journey. Not only will you have a stunning method of self expression, you will also be dedicating time to focus on yourself and your wellbeing. Self care is a form of productivity and hopefully you will feel a sense of pride as a result of your creation. Enjoy!

There are plenty other ways to improve your wellbeing, read about podcasts here. 

Additionally, visit Mind for mental health resources.

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Written by Grace Tobias

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