I first started to write when I was 10 years old and haven’t stopped since.
As a very confused young girl, I didn’t have a mentor or role model. I also lacked a confidant to turn to for help with the questions I had about life. I actually had an old-fashioned diary that I wrote my thoughts in daily. It became my trusted friend. I openly vented to it without being judged. It allowed me to express my thoughts as honestly as I could. It actually pushed me to discuss things regularly because it became my “safe place” to go.
What are the benefits of writing down your thoughts?
- You would be surprised how therapeutic it is!
- It lets you think about things before you vent them out loud.
- It prevents you from texting or emailing someone before you have time to analyze a heated situation.
- Reading over some of your thoughts a few weeks later can add clarity. It can reveal what you might not have seen at the time.
- It can show a repetitive pattern in how you handle things, especially in your dating life!
- You become aware of things that are bothering you internally, but you are uncomfortable discussing them out loud.
You can learn a lot about yourself by reading over your thoughts that you put down on paper.
Something is calming about holding a pen in your hand and writing the old-fashioned way. After re-reading my diary again in my early 20’s, I realized how messed up I was as a teenager. It was very apparent how much drama I had allowed into my life! Reading it all again actually helped me grow in a new direction. Even at 20, I was still repeating some emotional mistakes. I clearly saw these mistakes in my written words 7 years earlier! That was a big wake-up call.
Your childhood and teen years can really play a huge part in your dating and future career choices. These are the formative years and the foundation of who you are. This doesn’t mean an unhappy situation can’t be corrected with a new change of course. First, you have to be able to “see and own” the problem before you can correct it.
Some people think of their diaries as a special friend, even going so far as to name them. Anne Frank called her diary “Kitty.” It became Anne’s personal space where she could always visit. This may sound very sad to most people. However, staying in touch with one’s self can keep you sane in times of loneliness. Knowing who “you” really are is a reality not everyone embraces. Loving and appreciating yourself is a maturity that helps a person reach new goals because they believe in themselves.
Keeping a record of your daily life provides a tool for reminiscing.
It creates an album of past thoughts, feelings, and life events. A diary or journal can be used as a tool for great memories. It can also serve as a cure for past hurts. This can help a person to see their perspective on those situations as they were being experienced. Self-awareness is always a learning process, regardless of each approaching birthday. Life lessons are continually put on our path until the day we leave this earth.
Many people do have a daily journal for appointments, but how many actually take the time to write down their personal thoughts? Some individuals are open to seeing a therapist, but do not take the time to write out their feelings. I have always found this to be an inexpensive form of counselling and mood-enhancing.
There are Dating Diary Apps that you can buy online. They have entries for their photos and date locations. You can also note what you wore, first moves, and odd or interesting facts. This is probably more for “serial daters.” They want to keep track of their conquests. This allows them to keep it in check should they date them again! It will save some embarrassing moments down the road.
A diary is supposed to be personal, and it is really nobody’s business but yours.
Tuck your diary away for safe reading every few months to see how you have evolved. It is a great keepsake for later years when you want to walk down memory lane. It is amazing how many experiences we forget we had. Some of them played an important role in our future growth. It is never too late to start a diary and never too late to learn more about who you are.
Our thoughts manifest actions. Write them down and see them in print. This will help you to see what is working, and it will also highlight what may need some attention. Whatever the case, it will help you evolve into an even better version of yourself.
Susan McCord @ Dear Sybersue YouTube
