There is no right or wrong way to keep a journal, and all it takes is one word to get started.
That’s what Siena students learned at the recent workshop on journaling hosted by SALD and the College’s Office of Health Promotion. “Writing Towards Wellness: The Healing Art of Journaling” was presented via Zoom on January 14 as way to help keep students supported and engaged over the long break, and to offer pointers on healthy lifestyle skills.
You don’t need to be a writer, or an English major – journaling is for everyone and it’s a great way to relieve stress, set goals and make connections among your thoughts, feelings and actions. No fancy, leatherbound blank book is required – although you can certainly use one if you want. You can grab a spiral notebook, your laptop or even the notes app on your phone to record what’s on your mind and in your heart.
“It’s an exercise in getting to know ourselves,” said Kate Kaufman Burns, MSW, LCSW-R, director of health promotion, who conducted the workshop.
Burns said journaling is “more of an art than a science, but there is science involved.” Medical research shows that people who journal reap both physical and mental benefits. “It has the power to accelerate the healing of not only what hurts us emotionally, but what hurts us physically.”
You’re not going to be graded on this, so just write,” she said. “Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, structure – it’s OK to be messy. Just be willing to explore your feelings.”
“This workshop taught me how to journal in ways that are efficient and meaningful to me,” said Christina Amari ’23. “It also reinforced the importance of putting my authentic thoughts on paper.”
So how do you get started? Burns said prompts can be very helpful to get the thoughts and ink flowing. Write a letter to your future self. Ask yourself what kind of day you are having and why. Where are you the happiest? Who is with you when you are happiest? Fully describe your favorite memory. Name three people or things you are grateful for and why. You can be expressive. You can make lists. Doodle. Sketch. Place a couple stickers.
“There’s a way for everyone to be able to do this,” said Burns. “It’s as personal and unique as the individual who is doing the journaling.”
How many times in life do we get an assignment like this: do whatever you want, and it will work out. The possibilities are endless. Release your creativity, explore your thoughts, save inspirational quotes, and record memories to help you process who you are.
“It gives you a chance to have everything in one special place, and it’s always a safe space for you to express your thoughts and feelings.”
She suggests that newbies set aside some time - about 20 minutes – each day to journal, so it becomes a habit. You can even share the activity with friends, setting a time to journal together in parallel private practice.
For Kiley Pendergast ’21, journaling was a New Year’s resolution.
“Before this workshop, I didn’t realize how many different types of journals there are and that there is not a right or wrong way to write or organize a journal.”
Sarah Konig ’22 agreed that once you get started, journaling comes easily.
“My biggest takeaway was that when you don’t know where to start journaling, you can start with one word, and then the rest will flow.”