Journaling has been one of the most helpful things I’ve ever done. Journals give you a place to write down your honest thoughts and emotions without being afraid of how people will react or think of you. Through journaling I’ve not only learned a lot about myself, but also gotten rid of a lot of obsessive thoughts by writing them down and reflecting on them and where they came from.

Some ideas for journaling:

• A list of things you are proud of (always a good confidence booster when you need it)
• Goals: daily and long-term
• Make a pro/con list when you’re trying to make a decision: most of the time the decision will start to be clearer afterwards
• Quotes or phrases: motivational or just something you can relate to
• Respond to a magazine article or ad in the media that you feel passionately about
• Write about obsessive thoughts and trying to find what’s causing them
• Draw pictures
• Write poetry or short stories

The best way to start is to decide where you want to journal (just because it’s called journaling doesn’t mean you can only do it in a “journal”). If you like the traditional style of journaling then use a notebook, blank paper, or graph paper, whichever you like best. If you prefer to go digital, start a blog. You can make the blog public or private, and it’s a good way to keep track of articles or pictures you find online. (You can link to them.)

Even if you feel like there’s nothing for you to write about at first, you might be surprised to find that once you start, you can’t stop.

-Brooke, CYWH Summer Intern