Journaling generally involves the practice of keeping a diary or journal that explores thoughts and feelings surrounding the events of your life. When I was studying, I remember making notes of the topics I learned. This writing practice helped me revise the concept, and it used to imprint in my memory. Then when I had to answer the question in the exam, I could easily recall what I have studied. 

Today, journaling is fading. With ipads, notepads we are losing touch with writing with a pen. Our hands start to hurt if we write for a long time or after a long gap. We got enough practice of writing with a pen. Now, think of our kids who are growing up in a digital world. They are okay in typing 2-3 pages, but if we ask them to write the same number of pages with pen, they find it challenging. 

When I came to this country, I used to send hand-written letters to my parents and in-laws. I developed an interest in hand-written letters seeing my grandpa doing it. But with WhatsApp and Skype, staying in touch became so easy and convenient that slowly my frequency of sending letters reduced. Still, I tried to maintain my journaling practice during my pregnancy. I kept a pregnancy journal. 

Related article: Is letter writing a fading art?

Little did I know that journaling is one of the powerful Therapeutic tools used by psychologists, graphologists.

Related article: The power of journaling as a therapeutic tool

In one of my interviews on Baton Baton Mein, I had a one-on-one conversation with Aditi Surana (graphologist). She stressed the need for journaling not just for grown-ups but also for kids. Today, we all are going through a tough time. I hear concerned parents talking about their kid’s mental and emotional state. I am also a parent, and I can completely understand their concern. According to me, if we can convince our kids to develop a habit of journaling, then it will benefit them a lot in the long run. Let’s talk about the benefits of journaling for kids.

1. It gives an outlet to emotions
2. It helps in reflecting
3. It gives a balanced approach
4. They develop their coping mechanism

It gives an outlet to emotions

Sometimes, kids are not able to express their feelings. Or sometimes they don’t want to share it with anyone. If they start journaling their feelings, then it gives them an outlet. You can call it their extra limb. Whenever they feel sad or upset or go through some challenging emotions, they know the answer – journaling.

It helps in reflecting

There are some tricky circumstances when they don’t know how to control their extreme behavior. The result is they say things they are not supposed to say and get a scolding from their elders. But if they journalize their thoughts and later read them, they can see where they went wrong. By getting your thoughts down on paper, you can gain a deeper understanding of the causes of your internal conflicts while you also explore the external challenges you’re facing.

It gives a balanced approach

It is always better to write than to say things, especially when you are not in a good mood. While we write, we are focused; it takes time to pen down something. This time is enough to calm our minds. It gives them an organized approach to arrange their thoughts and prepare for the response. Maybe by the end of the writing, your child might start feeling better. That’s why I said in the first point- it gives them an outlet.

Related article: The art of Journaling 

They develop their coping mechanism

The pandemic is just a situation no one has ever imagined. But as grown-ups, we know that life is full of surprises and uncertainties. In tough times, if we have our coping mechanism, we can handle the situation maturely. If your child knows that by journaling, s(he) feels better or calms him/her down, then that’s their coping mechanism in challenging situations. 

Have you ever felt better just talking about a problem with your friends or parents? Well, consider your journal as a friend who is always there.