Keeping a journal is something that has been done for centuries so it's really not revolutionary is it? But for the reasons of social media, social media and yeah, you got it, social media, people aren't keeping them anymore. People are using Twitter as there place of venting, Facebook is used to brag about our latest holidays, and the rest of us write blogs. Journals should not be underestimated, if only for the reasons below.
For those 2am lightbulb moments.
I don't sleep too well - my brain doesn't like to switch off - so keeping a journal at my bedside means any genius ideas that come to your mind can be written down ASAP, hence no need to lie awake twiddling your thumbs.
To vent.
Now this might be a bit old school, but being able to write down your pet peeves really works wonders. Whether it's about: the man who cut you up on the M25; the annoying friend who just won't take the hint or just people in general, your journal will not judge.
For entertainment purposes.
Delayed gratification it might be, but being able to read your journal back at the end of the year or even in five years will provide some fantastic entertainment.
Figuring it out.
As a 24 year old, I am approaching The Quarter Century and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I graduated at 23, and have been in the same job since. I've got a little bit of savings, and been travelling through Europe and Indonesia. But I'm still feeling unfulfilled so this year is the year I'm going to grab the bull by the horns and figure it out. Noting down plans and dreams I have will help me really focus on what I want, not what everybody else wants for me.
Self-improvement.
We all love a bit of self-improvements; New Years' Resolutions are evidence of this. Whether it's weight loss, getting fitter, reading more, we're all into it. For me, it'll be used to write down the fourth shortbread biscuit I shouldn't have had.
Achievements.
Because sometimes we all need to be like 'fuck yeah, I did it'. Writing down our achievements, and our challenges towards these achievements, might actually make us feel pretty good about ourselves. Even if it is just not eating those four shortbread biscuits.
Journals are something we can take to our grave if we wish, and the fact that some of the world's greatest minds keep them means I am definitely joining the bandwagon.
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