At one of my very first Scholastic Book Fairs, I begged and pleaded with my mother to get the Dear America package. It was one of my favorite book series growing up, and it even came with a hardcover journal that you could add pages to when you ran out. To my great joy, my mother said yes.
Every month, I would get a new book to devour along with paper to add to my special journal. I wrote in that journal every day. All my thoughts, feelings, and dreams poured into that journal. It became my confidant, my best secret-keeper.
Suddenly, it became “uncool” to keep a diary. It became something my classmates and older sister teased me for. It was dorky, she had told me. And because she was my big sister and the coolest person I knew, I took her word for it.
I didn’t want to be dorky, or uncool, so I stashed that journal in a box without a second thought.
Years went by. I went from middle school to high school, and from high school to the adult world. Can you believe that when I was moving out of my childhood home, I found that journal hidden at the bottom of a box of junk? I couldn’t even remember the last time I had written in it, and why I had kept it all those years instead of just throwing it away. I sat down and read it front to back, laughing at myself and being flooded with a ton of childhood memories that I was now grateful for recording.
And now, at age 30, I keep a journal again. I admit when I first picked up a journal at the store to try again, I felt embarrassed to be doing so. But, why? Who decided that self-reflection is dorky?
I shook off all preconceived notions of popularity and bought the journal anyway. Remember, you are the only person who can hold yourself back from doing anything.
I have absolutely zero regrets. I journal almost every single day, writing down my fears, my hopes, my random thoughts. I’ve even began adding a daily affirmation and space for gratitude. I also keep a Notes tab on my phone open for journaling if I’m unable to physically write it down. Keeping a journal is a wonderful way to vent and reflect, process your feelings and thoughts, and create new goals for yourself. It is one of my favorite parts of my self-care routine.
I highly suggest everyone give a try at journaling. And don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not cool — it’s self-care.
Feature Image by Ashlyn Ciara on Unsplash
