Journaling is great for mental health; here are just a few of the reasons why!

1. Writing in a journal has no rules, unlike academic or creative writing.

Journals are amazing because they are entirely customizable. Every person who writes, either for academics, creativity, or their enjoyment has a style of notebook they prefer.

2. Journal anyway you like.

A journal can come in a variety of different forms, including a paper notebook, traditional diary, or a digital file. Going down to your local Barnes & Noble, office supply store, or hopping onto your favorite online shopping hubs is a quick and easy way to have a brand new journal that will offer you hours of relaxation and self-reflection, and, hopefully, in the end, you will have gained a little bit of peace of mind.

3. You will never be censored.

You’re able to say anything you want, without fear of being judged, in a beautiful quiet place that’s just for you. In a journal, you have no fear of repercussions because of spelling or punctuation errors, and you can write as sloppy as you want. This leads to free-flowing thoughts and a much clearer thought process.

4. You can express yourself.

Journals come in a variety of prints. Having many style choices means that it is easy to find a journal which expresses your unique style. Being able to find a journal that expresses your individuality perfectly means the experience will become even more meaningful to you. I recently took a class, Anomaly Marketing at Southern New Hampshire University, where I learned that there is a lot of science behind the way colors make a human being feel. For example, the color yellow brings about feelings of joy; the color pink brings about feelings of warmth and comfort, like a warm fuzzy blanket. If your journal reflects happiness, is it the right place to write about feelings of sadness, or insecurity brought on by happenings in a person’s life. Shades of purple and blue can bring on feelings of calm and peace. Above all have fun with unique prints and fun colors.

When I was in 5th grade, my grandmother took me to the store and I found a journal with a snowman printed on it. If it were not for the fact that I fell in love with the fun, holiday print, I would never have discovered what a great thing journals can be.