Why You Should Start Writing A Daily Mindfulness Journal

Thomas Potter
Writer @ Sit. Breathe. Love.

Modern day life is hectic. We are in constant communication with each other. But how often do we have a conversation with ourselves? How often do we check in with our emotions and see if everything is okay? We are so caught up in satisfying others needs that we often forget that we should answer to our own needs first. Writing a daily journal does exactly that. By dedicating 5 or 10 minutes each evening - yes, that’s all it takes - we can start to answer some of the questions we have about life, love and what the hell Laura was wearing at work today.

We don’t learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience

This is true, especially in our busy lifestyles. Often when something happens we don’t have to to fully evaluate the effect it had on us. By writing a journal you can dig a lot deeper and ask yourself how it made you feel or what can you do differently next time. Then next time the situation arises, act upon it.

You can get creative

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get an itch, the itch to create. And if your job doesn’t allow you to be all that creative, you need to find a time each day where you let those creative juices flow. A journal doesn’t have to be words. It can be pictures, videos, a scrap book, a poem or song. Whatever YOU want it to be. 

It’s great writing practice

Again, many of us might not get the chance to write and let our mind and wrist flow with words and ideas. Writing is a great way to expand and maintain your vocabulary, which can in turn be used in conversations and in work. You might even find writing is a hidden talent of yours.

You’ll be much, much happier

Many of us bottle up our emotions and let them overflow from time to time, even for the smallest of things. And a lot of the time it’s the straw that broke the camel's back that sets us off. Writing a daily journal can help you release some of those emotions and it’s a great way of venting your stresses. By doing this daily, you will start to realise that the time in-between writing your journal becomes a lot less stressful.

You’ll sleep better

Writing a journal in the evening can become an important part of your bedtime routine. By writing down you problems you will find that you are relieving your mind of the anxiety that may be keeping you awake at night. Writing in a journal cleanses your mind and can even leave you feeling a lot more positive in the morning.

Daily planning

As part of my daily journal, I like to write down what I’m going to do tomorrow. This can be anything from what you need to do for work, chores you need to complete, presents you need to by or friends you want to go and see. By writing them down and reading them over in the morning, there’s a good chance you’ll get them done.

So pick up a pen, paper and your spirits and start writing a daily journal. I like to ask myself three questions every night - What made you happy today? What are you grateful for? And what made you feel calm today? I often find that there are answers that come up again and again and whenever I am feeling blue, I know I can turn to any of these things for an uplift in my mood. But you can write about anything and everything. There are many different formats for journalling. Find out which one suits you and start reflecting.

Want to know how to write the perfect travel journal? Read here.