What if you could become a better writer by implementing one small, daily habit? Well, I’m here to give you four ways keeping a journal will help you do just that!
1. Keeping a Journal Gives Us Practice
Practice makes perfect, so they tell us. Well, in this case, they’re right. While keeping a journal won’t teach us everything we need to know about writing (research and outside input are essential for maturing as a writer), it will smoothen out the brain-to-paper process, which is invaluable. Expressing ourselves through written words has a different level of complexity to it than merely verbalizing them (and even this is a step up from just thinking thoughts).
2. Keeping a Journal Gives Us Understanding
Write well, understand well.
The better we understand ourselves, the better we will understand humanity and the way the world works. This understanding comes with maturity and experience, but we can enhance this growth when we process the world through the written word. Writing things out forces us to slow down, organize our thoughts and perceptions, and funnel them into precise ideas.
3. It Gives Us Privacy
We’re a lot less careful when we vent to a close friend than when we vent to a coworker or our boss, right? We share more, we allow more of our emotions to show, and we say what we really think, not what is “safe” to think.
Journals are the perfect place to express exactly how we feel, no sugar-coating, no trying to be someone we’re not. We can say whatever we want without fear of people’s judgement. There is always that nagging worry someone will read our journals after we’re gone, but I guess at that point, we won’t care, right?
4. It Gives Us Confidence
Because keeping a journal gives us practice, understanding, and privacy, we also gain confidence in our ability to write. The more we do something, the more familiar and comfortable it becomes. Public speaking or playing an instrument in front of others is terrifying at first. Well, it was for me, anyway (still can be!). But the more we do it, the more we get used to it and begin to enjoy it!
For some, writing is scary at first. Although I don’t fear the writing itself, I definitely struggle with the putting-it-out-there-for-other-people-to-see part. It’s a real fear—a definite obstacle—that has to be overcome.
The point is, journaling can help with that. It brings familiarity. Try it. Once you get past that initial “I can’t do this, no way!”, you’ll be surprised at all the eloquent thoughts you have.
This newsletter pairs well with 5 Reasons to Write Even if You’re Not a Writer, where we think more about journaling and its lasting impacts. Read it here for five more inspirations to pick up your mechanical pencil!
Keep a notebook. Travel with it, eat with it, sleep with it. Slap into it every stray thought that flutters up into your brain. Cheap paper is less perishable than gray matter, and lead pencil markings endure longer than memory.”
~ Jack London, from Getting Into Print
If you’ve been subscribed for a while and/or are familiar with my strong opinions on certain matters, you’re already aware of my love for mechanical pencils and their superiority as the ultimate writing device. If you’re new, however, have no fear! We’ll definitely talk about them again.
Do you keep a journal? Share how it has impacted your writing in the comments below!
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