Journaling: how writing brings you peace

Journallen: hoe schrijven je rust brengt

Do you ever write down your thoughts in a notebook? In this blog, we'll dive into the theme of 'journaling' and how this valuable technique can help you relax. Journaling is a perfect way to create a moment for yourself and record your thoughts, dreams, and goals. Perhaps you've heard of journaling before, or you're curious about what it entails and if it might be for you.

What is journaling?

Journaling is simply keeping a diary, but with a personal twist. It's about regularly taking a moment for yourself to reflect on your day or your life, write down your goals, and even capture your creative ideas. It offers a valuable moment of peace for self-reflection, especially for you.

Where does journaling come from?

Why do we also call writing in a diary "journaling"? The word "journaling" comes from the French journal, which means both "diary" and "newspaper," and is derived from the Latin diurnalis, meaning "daily." The tradition of keeping diaries dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who made personal notes about philosophical thoughts and daily events. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, artists and intellectuals also began to record their ideas and creations in handwritten notebooks. Today, journaling has taken on a modern twist, ranging from traditional paper diaries to digital apps. It remains a valuable way to record thoughts, goals, and creative ideas during a moment for yourself.

How does journaling work?

The beauty of journaling is that there are no fixed rules! You can fill it in however you want. Some use journaling to note down daily thoughts, others create beautiful bullet journals full of to-do lists and inspiring quotes. It's all about what works for you. Personally, I write in my diary during my daily moment for myself to clear my head and bring structure to my stream of thoughts. It also helps me to see things from a different perspective. It brings peace and space in my head, because once my thoughts are on paper, I no longer have to hold them in my mind.

Why reflecting is good for you

Reflecting, or taking a moment for yourself to consciously think about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, offers many benefits for your mental and emotional well-being. By dedicating a moment to yourself for reflection, you gain more insight into your own behavior and reactions, which can contribute to personal growth. Reflection helps you to recognize patterns and trends, both in your successes and in your challenges, making you better able to make informed decisions and future choices. It can also reduce stress by taking a moment for yourself to organize your thoughts and process your emotions. By putting your thoughts on paper, you create a safe space for self-expression, which can lead to greater emotional resilience and a deeper understanding of yourself. In short, reflecting offers a powerful means to bring more balance and clarity into your life and provides a valuable opportunity to grow and flourish.

When to journal?

When is the best time to pick up your notebook? Journaling can be done at any time of the day. Some start their day with a quiet moment to themselves to write, others use it as a way to end the day. The most important thing is that it helps you to relax and organize your thoughts.

Is journaling for you?

Journaling is for anyone who needs a moment to themselves and a little more peace and self-reflection in daily life. Whether you're a busy professional, a creative person, or just looking for a way to organize your thoughts, journaling can mean something valuable to everyone.

What forms of journaling exist?

There are countless ways to journal! From structured bullet journals to artistic diaries and even digital journaling apps. It all depends on your personal preference and how you like to record your thoughts. The best form of journaling is the one that appeals to you most. Try different styles and discover what best suits your lifestyle. Perhaps you love to draw and write in a creative diary, or you might prefer a minimalist bullet journal. It's all about what inspires and motivates you.

Journaling with Tiny Moments

At Tiny Moments, we believe in the power of a moment for yourself. A valuable way to fill your moment of peace is by letting your thoughts run free and capturing them in a nice notebook. That's why we included a beautiful sustainable notebook in our REFLECT collection (now sold out).

What makes a notebook truly pleasant to write in? After devouring many notebooks in recent years, I've discovered a few important features that determine the writing pleasure:

  • Pleasant writing experience on the paper

  • Sufficient writing space between the lines

  • The notebook must lie flat when writing

  • Convenient size to take anywhere

  • Enough pages to write on

  • Handy closing mechanism

  • Bookmark ribbon, so you immediately find the right page

And preferably also a sustainable notebook, so you can fill the pages with peace of mind without harming the environment.

This sustainable notebook is what we found!

This beautiful notebook is made from recycled paper and has a cover of recycled canvas. It features a bookmark ribbon and a practical magnetic closure, which also allows you to attach a pen.

Thanks to its convenient A5 size, you can easily take it anywhere. This way, you can always and everywhere put your thoughts and ideas on paper!

Whether you're a beginner in the world of journaling or an experienced journaler, we hope you've been inspired to start your own journaling adventure!

Happy journaling!