The Joy of Journaling: Brenda Moore

I love journaling with pen and paper, but when we’re on the go, technology can come to our rescue if we want to capture something quickly and we don’t have our journal on hand. I love using the Notes function on my phone, but Brenda uses a 5 Minute Journal app, which is just as effective. Brenda also shares some of her other thoughts and tips on journaling below:

1. Why do you keep a journal? What do you think are the main advantages of journaling?

For the last few years, I have been living with a chronic migraine condition and have needed to adjust my expectations to be realistic for my capabilities. Journaling helps me to assess my wellness on any given day, set reasonable goals, and to celebrate small wins.

2. How long have you kept a journal for and why did you start?

I have journaled on and off throughout my life, mostly for mental health reasons. I first started around age 18 when I was dealing with major depression. It was a free form diary – now I prefer a bullet journal. I still have my old journals. Occasionally I go back and read them and cringe at my teenage angst! But in spite of the melodrama they helped to keep me sane at the time.

3. How often do you write in your journal – have you established a regular habit, or do you just write when you need to? How much do you write?

I try to write daily with varying degrees of success. The migraine condition makes sticking to routines a bit tricky. It only takes me a few minutes, morning and night.

4. What sort of journal do you write in? Do you write by hand in a notebook or electronically on your computer or other device?

I use the 5 Minute Journal app on my phone. Its quick and easy.

5. Do you have any challenges journaling, e.g. not writing as consistently as you’d like, not having time to write, not knowing what to write, finding the right journal, etc

As mentioned, being consistent is always a challenge. Sometimes I struggle to know what to write but I have an agreement with myself that if I can’t think of three things I just have to write one.

Brenda Moore is management consultant based in Perth, Western Australia. She has a psychology background and a keen interest in mental health. She works with health and community services to help design stress free workplaces. Learn more at www.happenconsulting.com.au