If you can’t tell from the title of this post, I think there are SO many benefits of journaling that I want to shout it from the rooftops!!!

I started journaling when I was twelve, and it’s been one of the most beneficial things in my life for over a decade now. It’s helped me deal with seasons of anxiety and depression, overcome challenges, and make difficult life decisions. Basically it’s like free therapy, but better!

3 Benefits of Journaling

I truly believe journaling can be life changing for everyone. That’s why today I’m sharing three amazing benefits of journaling regularly, so you can see why you should add it to your routine too if you haven’t already!

1. Processing

Journaling is an amazing stress reliever. It helps you think more calmly and rationally. Writing forces you to channel your feelings constructively rather than avoiding them, which can just lead to more stress.

Instead of keeping your thoughts jumbled in your mind, journaling is dedicating time to think intentionally. It takes effort to put your feelings into words, and your brain processes things more fully when you write them out by hand.

While you journal, your mind doesn’t have time to wander. The slowness allows you to focus on every word as it’s written. You’ll be amazed at how you uncover the answers to your own questions as you go.

A journal is a safe place to dive deep into your emotions. It helps you face things you otherwise don’t want to think about. Like talking to a trusted friend, you’ll feel lighter and more refreshed after you spend time journaling.

2. Purpose

Journaling gives you a powerful sense of purpose. Having a grip on your feelings and the ability to solve your own problems makes you feel confident and in control. And when you can go back and read what you just wrote, you’ll have peace and security knowing that your thoughts aren’t lost.

Not only are you able to process things in the moment, but you can also go back and see what you’ve worked through in the past. If you need to, you can re-read what you just wrote tomorrow, or next week, or in a year when you’re feeling lost and need a reminder of what you’ve already overcome.

You’ll start to see your life as a storyline. From a bird’s eye view, the path that God has you on will come into focus. You’ll see so much progress and growth, and you can move forward confidently knowing you’re going in the right direction.

3. Prayer

If you want to improve your prayer life, journaling is a great place to start. When you keep your conversations with God only in your head, your thoughts may wander off track. And praying out loud can sometimes be a challenge if you can’t get alone in a quiet place.

If there was one thing I could point to that’s helped my relationship with God grow over the years, it would be journaling. Since I started writing twelve years ago, my journal entries have been mostly prayers. They’re like a collection of letters to God that continues to grow.

As you write, you’ll connect with God on a deeper level than you ever thought possible. And over the years you’ll be able to see how He’s answered, as well as how He’s changed your heart to align with His more and more.

I hope you invite God into your deepest thoughts, feelings, worries, and dreams. Fill your pages with words to Him, and watch how He uses it to draw you closer than ever.

Thank you Shannon Dudley for the photos!

If you already keep a journal, how has it impacted you? What would you say are the biggest benefits of journaling that you’ve gotten? I’d love to hear what it’s done for you!

Xo,

Becka

P.S. – Here’s some simple self-care habits for more peace and joy, and how to plant a potted succulent garden!