The Joy of Journaling: Kimberly Young

Writing consistently is something most people struggle with at some point when it comes to journaling. I love the grace that Kimberly Young gives herself when she doesn’t journal as often as she’d like. She simply puts it down to being busy (or even better – productive!) and moves on. Here are some of Kimberly’s other journaling insights:

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

Over the last couple years, I decided maintaining a journal, to bequeath in my family, would be nostalgic and sentimental. I can leave a lasting impression on my family tree filled with sayings and quotes that I live by while also expressing my thoughts on certain subjects. I also consider it as a head start on a memoir – if I ever wanted to publish one.

I didn’t think of journaling as an advantage until I became heavily involved in personal development, where it’s highly encouraged. The main reason I recall why it is encouraged because it serves as an anxiety reducer, increases self-awareness and creativity. From my perspective, I found journaling shows how much I have evolved and grew as a mum, leader, and individual. I also discovered I gain clarity when I put everything on paper without judgment or reasoning – almost like a laundry load of thoughts.

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

Approximately 12 years ago, I wrote in my first journal. I started journaling during a dark period in my life as it was cathartic from an emotional and physical abusive relationship. My life was in shambles (or so I thought) and journaling my thoughts and feelings kept me sane. Eventually journaling progressed to serving as an action plan for my life filled with dreams, strategies, and ideas. I created mini plans and executed them and bragged to myself about even the smallest win I had. My journals saw the best and worst of days while holding dear many memories and fantasies.

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?

When I began journaling, I wrote in it every day sometimes two or three times a day. Recently, it’s dwindled and now I write every two days. I don’t have a limit of how much I write but, I maintain the status of writing something every two days – even if it’s a sentence about what I am grateful for.

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 prefer journals with an inspiring quote on the front cover and wide-lined pages. My journaling is handwritten in cursive as I believe cursive is a dying art.

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?

Creating something to write is rarely an issue however, admittedly, there are times I fall off the routine of journaling. It is during those moments that I allow myself grace and chuck it up to I was busy or productive. If I don’t get the opportunity to write as much content as I would like, I always write what I am grateful for.

Kimberly F. Young empowers career-driven women to break free of an unfulfilled life and uncover their gifts and talents one step at a time. Connect with Kimberly in Instagram @kimberlyf.young and Linkedin: kimberlyfyoung.