To Journal or Not to Journal

It seems like journaling is all the rage these days. Maybe a better coping outlet than Tik Tok, but if you ask me, keeping a journal may have gotten some inflated reviews.

Talk show hosts with bouncy hair, mental health podcasters, yogis, and even the incredibly vague and equally alarming "you may have X disease" Web MD is doubling down on its commitment that writing your every thought to paper is therapeutic. I get it. There’s real science behind all this. According to the New York Times (2018), “Writing in a journal can lead to better sleep, a stronger immune system, more self-confidence and a higher I.Q.” When you put it that way, sign me up! But hear me out - there are also several studies about the benefits of yoga, walking every day, or drinking apple cider vinegar. If I were looking at the resume for “Journaling as a Coping Skill” I would say they fluffed it a bit, and included some irrelevant references. Yes, journaling can be a powerful coping skill, especially for creatives, or those who have experienced traumatic events. For example, Kira A. Newman (2020) reflects on a 2006 study that notes participants who engaged in journaling observed reduced symptoms relevant to areas of distress including depression and anxiety - even though only 80% had little experience journaling and only 61% of participants "felt comfortable doing so". But sometimes, people who mean well, even those in the mental health profession, can tout a particular modality, treatment, or coping skill as some kind of cure-all.

Now, before you accuse me of throwing a rotten tomato at Santa Claus, I believe in journaling, and have even recommended it to clients. However, coping skills are incredibly personal, and what works for one person might create more anxiety or stress in another. At the end of the day, journaling is best considered one of many possible tools in the toolbox. While it might help one individual process their thoughts, for another it could create more pressure and responsibility. There's also a lot of science behind creating a habit. Committing to something you have to do every day or every week can backfire. What if you don’t have time to complete it? Is this just another thing you haven’t followed through with? It's kind of like New Year's resolutions. Nice to think about, but implementing them is another thing entirely. What I’m saying is find what works for you. Just because Oprah journals every day doesn’t mean you have to. I conclude with my final thoughts on the subject: I, personally, would not give journaling a five-star review on yelp. But YOU might benefit from incorporating this skill or another habitual healthy routine into your daily life. Try a few healthy habits on for size and explore which feels most authentic to you. Your coping skills should be as unique as you are.

References

Newman, K. (2020, August). How journaling can help you in hard times. Greater Good Magazine. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_journaling_can_help_you_in_hard_times

Phelan, H. (2018, October). What's all this about journaling? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/style/journaling-benefits.html