lundi 22 juin 2015

Using Creative Writing Journals To Write In

By Freida Michael


Many people use diaries to keep a note of daily activities. The purposes of a journal go much deeper, with entries that express emotions, responses to events as well as questions and reflections about life. Creative writing journals to write in are often used on a daily basis, offering an important way to develop creativity. Studies have even shown that keeping one even has positive effects on both physical and emotional health.

Throughout history, people have used journals to record their innermost thoughts. These thoughts usually remain private. However, if the person was famous, like a Winston Churchill or a Theodore Roosevelt, they may be published for us to get an insight into the way their minds worked. However, these writings are mostly only ever seen by the person who recorded them and never to stand up to judgment or ridicule. As the thoughts are uncensored by others, they may often result in fresh insights and inspirational ideas.

One way it helps us is by giving us the opportunity to look back and reevaluate past experiences. In hindsight we may begin to understand more and even receive insights that help us in our personal growth. Personally, professionally and spiritually, we can benefit from such a process that shows our progress.

Developing the habit of using a journal may be difficult at first. However, the more we write, the easier it becomes. Do not be too selective about what is written at first. It is like priming the pump until the good stuff starts coming out. We should not be discouraged by our stumbling attempts to express ourselves at first. As we persist, we soon start to find that our skills improve and the words start flowing.

When we begin to develop this habit, it provides a way of clearing out the mind. You transfer thoughts from your head to the paper, clearing out mental clutter. Once this happens, there is room for true creativity to be expressed. It is rather like having a dialogue with yourself and eventually may lead to insights you would otherwise have missed.

Many people struggle to recover from grief and loss. It has been proved that writing fears down and expressing emotions in words helps in the healing process. Instead of remaining bottled up inside, they are released onto the paper and this often helps to promote healing.

It may be considered old-fashioned to keep a journal in this day when just about everyone has a blog. However, a blog is not private and there is something special that happens in the brain when a person puts pen to paper. Problems can be explored, possibilities considered, emotions expressed and creativity stimulated by the process.

Journaling has many benefits including clarifying thinking, dealing with the past, asking important questions and stimulating creativity. When one writes simply for ones own benefit instead of for an audience, the process is cathartic and inspirational at the same time. It is worthwhile to develop this habit and experience its many benefits.




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