The Power of Journaling

These days, there’s an app for almost everything - from ghost-hunting to calculating the chances of a shark attack to fighting against Donald Trump’s agenda. Even our beloved Sesame Street’s getting with the program!

And so, if the average Australian spends about six hours every week on social media alone, can technology for optimising our lives be too far behind? Here at WeTeachMe, we use a number of apps to organise our work: There’s Google Apps, Trello, Hubspot, Basecamp, Evernote, Slack, Skype, Zapier, Netflix…oh, wait.

Are you one of those people who tend to go over the six-hour social media cap (guilty!) and suffer much too frequently from FOMO? Yep, you guessed it; there’s an app for reducing your screen time, too. Orrrr, here’s a crazy idea: How about we all try to cultivate a life offline? (Audible shriek.)

Enter journaling.

Putting down your gadgets sounds pretty insane, we know; but that’s what makes the concept of a modern-day journal seem so anachronistic and yet so right. Consider keeping a journal to use as a diary, to-do list, sketchbook, scrapbook, calendar, and more; just something - a device, if you will - to help you stop and think, jot important ideas down and then think some more. And you know, just take. A. Breath.

Here are just some reasons why you should start a journal. Right now.

Writing down your thoughts helps boost your mental health

Bet your old high-school diary was your secret best friend. Well, of course it was! In it, you had a healthy outlet for your deepest secrets and darkest emotions, and it carried you through some trying times. And who can say that adulting got any easier?

Documenting your adventures is good for the soul

You travel to interesting places, meet some pretty amazing people, and take on Promethean tasks. Selfies alone will never do justice to your best personal triumphs! Also, research shows that indulging in occasional nostalgia can help you maintain an optimistic attitude. Your personal journal - don’t leave home without it.

You’ll be in good company

Beatrix Potter, Leonardo da Vinci, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso - all the great creators in history kept a journal to capture their daily ideas and ultimately change the world. Just ask Marie Curie’s radioactive notebook.

Head into the new year with this fantastic journaling class. It’s an underrated life hack that’s perfect for creatives who live to craft things up!