Some of the most influential people in history kept detailed diaries or journals of their lives. Maybe you are no Anne Frank, Harry S Truman, or Andy Warhol, but you should not let that stop you. There are plenty of exciting benefits to keeping a journal.

First of all, journaling can help you meet your life goals, as writing something down signals to your brain “this is important”. The act of writing daily can help you become more disciplined which then leads to many other healthy habits.

According to Dr. James Pennebaker, author of Writing to Heal, “When we translate an experience into language we essentially make the experience graspable.” Writing expressively is a route to healing emotionally, physically, and psychologically.

An anonymous source stated that “writing in [her] diary every evening means making sense of all the ideas and experiences that roll around her head during the day.” She enjoys being able to “unload her racing thoughts without being judged by anyone.”

Indeed research suggests that writing about anger, sadness and other painful emotions helps to release the intensity of these feelings. This in turn can make you feel calmer and better able to stay in the present.

While typically we tend to problem solve from a left-brained, analytical perspective, journaling allows us to engage our right-brained creativity and intuition. Writing can help us come to new unexpected solutions to problems that may have seemed unsolvable just moments ago.

Self-reflection is a powerful tool so whether it means finding a spare notebook, opening a word document, a website, or an on-line writing app, journaling is something you may want to try. Just remember to commit to writing everyday and focus on substance rather than length.

Years from now, you may find that your diaries bring you back to the experiences of growing up, your thoughts and ambitions. I am sure that whether they make you cringe or just laugh, you will treasure them.

Antonina (Tosia) Lekawska