Journaling or writing in a diary is a great way to express your thoughts. Most people like to write about their day, but here’s why you should keep a journal of your most random thoughts.
What is a Stream of Consciousness Journal?
Stream of consciousness writing is the method of writing out your thought process the exact way the words flow through your mind. An example that comes to mind is some of Virginia Woolf’s books. “To the Lighthouse” and “Mrs. Dalloway” are both written using stream of consciousness.
Why Should You Stream of Consciousness Journal?
A lot of people have trouble thinking of what to journal about, but we all have ideas swirling in our heads all the time, so writing down random thoughts can help to open and cleanse your mind. It’s stressful to have worries or to-do lists stuck in your head, so dumping them out onto paper is a huge relief. It can also be a form of creativity if you’re writing down fictional scenes or story ideas that you have in your head. It’s creative in a different way than other forms of journaling, because it requires very few supplies. You can use color or a plain black pen and you can use a fancy notebook or random scraps of paper. Finally, putting your goals on paper can solidify them and make them stick in your mind better so that you can work to achieve them.
How Do I Stream of Consciousness Journal?
I journal a little differently than the traditional way. Usually, you would write in paragraph form without stopping for however long you want. I don’t write in long paragraphs, but instead I write different thoughts in different places on the page. They’re usually not particularly important, but it’s interesting to go back and read it because sometimes it comes out in poetry, song lyrics, or even doodles. I’ve made journaling a daily thing for the last week, and I date each page. Sometimes I use song lyrics or quotes as prompts and write something that I’m feeling based on that. Sometimes I add color, sometimes I don’t. I try to fill a whole page every day, but sometimes I only use half. I don’t force myself and I’ve come to really enjoy it.
Final Thoughts
I’ve kept diaries off and on ever since I was little. I usually started each entry with “sorry it’s been so long.” I was writing as though I were telling someone else about my life, so I was too focused on making things make sense that I never really put down my true feelings. Now, I don’t write about my day all the time. Sometimes I do, but sometimes I write things that I don’t even understand when I look back. It’s still fun to read through, though. Just try it for a few days. I can guarantee that you’ll feel less stressed and more creative, and you can free up your mind to focus on what’s really important.
Way Out Wanderer 