Clear Your Mind Just by Writing: 4 Tips to Make Your Journaling Time More Comfortable

When you spend your days in a rush, don't you sometimes find that you lose sight of your own feelings?
That is exactly when I recommend writing in a paper notebook.

It becomes a time to calm your mind and gradually reclaim yourself.

In this article, I will talk about

4 tips to make your time writing in a paper notebook more comfortable.I will share these with you, incorporating both my own personal experience and scientific evidence.

1. Write in a place where you can be calm and alone

Writing in a notebook is an important time to face yourself.

Therefore, try to choose a space where you can spend time quietly and alone as much as possible.

In places where you are easily distracted, your thoughts may not come out well, or you might worry about the eyes of others and be unable to write your true feelings.
For example,

it is hard to write about work frustrations when your boss is watching you at the office, right?
A notebook is a place where you can safely write out your heart.

I make it a habit to write at home during the morning hours before anyone else wakes up.

With just a little bit of effort, your writing time will become much deeper.

2. Write as soon as you think of it

I recommend writing down what you want to write in your notebook immediately.

This is because human memory fades faster than you might think.

According to the "Forgetting Curve" proposed by the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, people forget memories as follows:
• 20 minutes later... about 42% forgotten

• 1 hour later... about 56% forgotten
• 1 day later... about 74% forgotten
In other words,
even if you think you will write it tomorrow, there is a possibility that you have already forgotten most of it.The moment your heart is moved is the best time to write.

Even if you don't have much time, just a quick note is fine, so please try writing it down right away.

3. Do not open your smartphone or computer

It is also important to stay away from smartphones and computers while writing in your notebook.

The reason is that smartphones and computers may hinder brain function.

In particular, the part of the brain called the "prefrontal cortex" acts like a command center responsible for thinking, judgment, and emotional control.

It has been pointed out that when exposed to the strong stimulation of smartphones and the internet, the function of this prefrontal cortex becomes dull.

In other words,


if you write in your notebook while looking at your smartphone, your ability to deeply organize your feelings will drop.Try to keep your smartphone away, even if only for a short time.

Your concentration on your notebook will increase significantly.

4. Look back periodically to know yourself

It is very important not only to write in your notebook but also to read it back from time to time.

This is considered effective in the world of psychology as well.

For example, there is a method called "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy."

This is a psychotherapy designed to help you notice the habits of thinking that cause stress and anxiety and gradually change them into more positive ways of thinking.

Within this, "making your thoughts visible" and "looking back to notice patterns" are considered important.

For example, by knowing "what was unpleasant at that time" or "when I am prone to feeling down," you will be able to handle similar situations better than before when you encounter them.

It doesn't end with just writing in the notebook; by reading it back occasionally, you can see the habits of your own thoughts and emotions.
That also leads to the first step of cherishing yourself.

Summary

The 4 tips to make your time writing on paper more comfortable are as follows:

Even in days filled with childcare and work, just having time to write in a notebook can make your heart feel a little lighter.

If there is even one thing you think you can do, please try starting today.

You should be able to cherish your own feelings little by little.

Thank you very much for reading this far.

Have a great day.