Journaling is somewhat of a fad right now. Check any bookstore and many other types of establishments, and you’ll find multiple shelves of journals in all shapes and sizes. Some are blank books while others are guided writing exercises designed to appeal to a particular audience. There are journals with themes, with blank pages to include pictures and scrapbooking items, with record sheets for family events, and more.  It takes the preteen notion of “keeping a diary” to a whole new level.

People journal for lots and lots of different reasons, and usually for more than one reason. Do you see yourself anywhere on this list?

• To record daily life for children or other loved ones
• To explore personal feelings
• To gain or maintain perspective
• To bank successes for future darker days
• To experiment with different styles of writing
• To resolve inner conflict
• To promote healing and wellness

The list goes on, and it’s as varied as there are people in the world. And your reasons may change over time. There is no “Journal Law” that says you must be consistent in your journal. So grab a nice blank book, or a book of writing prompts, or a scrapbook, or a computer or tablet, or whatever medium works for you right now, and get writing!  It’s good for the soul no matter what your motivation is!