Dear Diary...

1996

Dear Diary…

I am sitting in my room, trying to find a quiet moment. My sisters are chatting in the lounge for the moment.

I am trying to make sense of what I am feeling. The guy I have a crush on, well he smiled at me today or perhaps it was at the girl behind me. I make that mistake a lot hahaha…I am not sure if I will ever know. Do you think I should speak to him? I could say hello when I pass by him tomorrow. I will let you know tomorrow how it goes…

Moving on, life seems pretty much okay. The same as yesterday I suppose.

Anyway, till tomorrow…

Aaaah, those dear diary moments. As a teen, I kept diaries. It was my most trusted friend. I found peace in my writings. I felt like it was a space just for me. It is probably why I am still an advocate of journaling. Writing in my diary back then, helped me make sense of so many feelings inside of me.

Journaling helps you relive events you have experienced, in a safe environment, in order to process them without fear and stress. It assists in getting insight on who we are and gain clarity on our thoughts and feelings about a situation. There is no wrong or right way to start journaling. I have often heard people say they don’t have the time to journal, but honestly that is exactly why you should. It is way to just release.

What most people don’t understand, is that journaling does not have to be just words. It can be a collage of pictures, words that inspired for the day, it can be drawings (whether it is zigzags or just random scribbles), it can be done any way that you feel comfortable expressing yourself

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Find the right space to write

2. If you don't know where to start, start by just simply writing the date or doodle

3. Reflect on your thoughts of the day. What did you do? What happened and who you spoke to

4. Use the time to reflect on what you have learnt that day

5. Try not to think too critically about your writing. Write your truth and simply tell your story that you don't usually tell people and take the opportunity to explore your self

6. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to journal

Use your time as a healing tool or just to get your overwhelming emotions out onto paper.

I trust that this will help you as much as it helps me…

Much Love

Z