What are the benefits of journaling for someone on a crossroads or going through something confusing?
A big part of the human experience is making choices, and sometimes those choices can lead us to making decisions that can make us feel too far, too lost.
Have you ever had that feeling of being adrift? You get this sense that the person you are today is disconnected from the person you want to become. In a world that constantly pulls for our attention, it’s remarkably easy to lose our footing, to feel like we’re reacting to life rather than intentionally living it.
But what if there was a way to find our anchor again? What if there’s a simple yet effective practice that could help us navigate the noise and reconnect with our selves and the Father who can point us to the right direction?
Today, I want to talk about that anchor: the power of journaling.
What Is Journaling?
At its heart, journaling is the simple practice of regularly recording your thoughts, feelings, observations, and experiences.But it’s so much more than just a log of your day.
Think of it this way: a diary often records the events of your day—”I went to class, then had lunch with a friend.” A journal, on the other hand, explores the meaning behind those events—”How did I feel in class today? What’s been worrying me? What did that conversation with my friend reveal to me about my own hopes?”
It is an intentional conversation with yourself. It’s a process where we face our thoughts and feelings. When we scribble down our thoughts free from distractions, we get clarity.
And isn’t this wonderful for anyone who is pursuing something good? Let’s talk more about the purpose of journaling in the section below.
The Benefits of Journaling: How It Can Help You Be Back on Track
From Mental Noise to Mental Clarity
Our minds can often feel like a crowded, noisy room, filled with to-do lists, anxieties, half-formed ideas, and lingering conversations. It’s exhausting, and it makes focus feel impossible. Journaling is the simple act of asking each of those thoughts to step outside, one by one. By externalizing them onto paper, you don’t erase them, but you do quiet the room. This process creates mental space, allowing you to see your thoughts more objectively, prioritize what truly needs your energy, and approach your day with a sense of calm and order.
Discovering Your Inner Compass
We are surrounded by external voices telling us who to be, what to want, and how to succeed. It’s easy to start chasing goals that aren’t truly our own. Journaling is the act of turning down that external volume so you can hear your own voice. It’s a space to ask the big questions: What truly brings me joy? What are my core values? Is the path I’m on aligned with them? Consistently engaging with these questions on the page helps you uncover your authentic “why.” It recalibrates your inner compass, ensuring the direction you’re heading is one you’ve consciously and whole-heartedly chosen.
Navigating Your Emotional Landscape
Feelings are not meant to be conquered; they are meant to be understood. So often, we either suppress difficult emotions or let them overwhelm us. A journal offers a third option: a safe harbor to simply observe them without judgment. By writing about your frustrations, your joys, your fears, and your hopes, you give them a name and a context. This act of acknowledgment is incredibly powerful. It allows you to process emotions constructively, learn from them, and move forward with greater self-awareness and compassion.
Revealing Patterns and Breaking Cycles
Sometimes we feel stuck, repeating the same habits or facing the same obstacles without understanding why. Your journal can become a mirror to your life, reflecting patterns you might not otherwise see. As you document your experiences over time, you may notice connections between your actions, your environment, and your state of mind.
Consider the story of the ancient prophet and scribe, Nephi. His detailed record was both for history and a tool for reflection. Through his writing, he could process trauma, recognize divine patterns of deliverance, and reinforce his resolve in the face of overwhelming adversity. Like Nephi, we can use our own records to identify our personal cycles—both the ones that serve us and the ones that hold us back—giving us the clarity we need to make intentional changes.
Cultivating a Perspective of Gratitude
What we focus on expands. When we are feeling off track, our focus often narrows to what is wrong, what is missing, and what is broken. A deliberate practice of gratitude journaling can fundamentally shift that perspective. By intentionally taking time to write down what you are thankful for—no matter how small—you train your mind to scan for the good. This doesn’t ignore life’s challenges, but it balances the narrative. It reminds you of the abundance, support, and beauty that already exist in your life.
As Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf so beautifully taught, “The beginning of the path to a more meaningful, more joyful life, more abundant life, is to be found in our hearts when we are grateful.” Journaling is one of the most direct ways to cultivate that grateful heart.
Journaling Can Bless Your Life
Finding your way back to center is not a one-time event but a continuous, gentle practice. It begins with the simple, quiet act of showing up for yourself with a pen and a blank page. It’s an invitation to listen, to understand, and to guide yourself forward with intention and grace.
