Diaries and journals are written for a variety of different reasons. Historically, journal entries were intended to serve as written records. It is much easier to track a past event if you have a written record of your appointments and activities. Trial lawyers love clients and witnesses who keep journals and datebooks because it frees them of hours/days of investigation. Where were you on September 15, 1999? A diary could come in handy to jolt your memory, right?

A Form of Therapy

Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a therapeutic activity. Paper and pen are the tools for your creative expression, joys, and sorrows alike. Journaling can be a healing process to help you get in touch with your deepest yearnings, find resolve for problems, and deal with personal issues. Whatever type of painful emotion you are experiencing (grief, sadness, fear, isolation, etc.) expressing yourself in writing can help ease your discomfort.

Drains Brain of Mindless Clutter

Getting words down on paper can help clear your head of thoughts and ideas that are creating a mental swirl of confusion. Something as simple as keeping a grocery list can help free up the activity center of your brain, making room for clearer thinking.

Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist's Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, suggests a writing exercise she calls "The Morning Papers." Take three sheets of paper each day and with a pen or pencil just start writing. This process is intended to allow a "stream-of-consciousness." It doesn't matter what words or phrases you write down. It doesn't matter if your sentence structure or grammar is poor. Never mind misspellings. It doesn't matter. The Morning Papers, unlike journals, are not for keeping... they are not to be read at all. After you've finished the writing exercise feed your papers directly into the paper shredder or toss them inside the recycle bin. The purpose of doing this exercise is to clear your brain of mindless clutter and discharge any emotional baggage connected to useless or negative thoughts, or in Julia's words, it is a "brain-drain" activity.

In her creativity workshops, Julia teaches how we block our creative selves by not releasing our anger, our worries, our criticisms, etc. Things that block our creative juices flowing to the surface need an outlet. Writing can be used as a venting tool to rid yourself of negative thinking.

Keeping a Gratitude Journal

It is easy to get caught up in complaining or whining when things go awry. Starting up a gratitude journal is one way to begin focusing on positives and stop the bad habit of negative thinking. Begin by choosing a time you can devote to "being grateful" each day, a time when you can jot down something that makes you happy or joyful. First thing in the morning or at bedtime works for most people. But if you routinely ride the subway or bus to work journaling might be a good way for you to spend your commute. If you find it difficult to write an "essay style" gratitude journal, that's okay. Creating a list of five or ten things you are grateful for each day will fill out the pages nicely.

Example of a Daily Gratitude List

Sunshine.

Smile from the girl at the bank.

My cat purring.

My boss taking today day off!

Phone call from my sister.

Funny movie.

Leftovers!

Time to reflect on positives in my life.

No bills in the mail today.

My Facebook friends.

Other Types of Journals