"The more abstract the truth you want to teach the more you must seduce the senses to teach it" - Fredrich Nietzsche   We journal to gather a better understanding of ourselves So we can more easily identify our faults and readjust our habits, behaviours and patterns So that we can achieve our goals Personally I journal electronically, I have a section designated to it in my common place book Although there are studies that have shown that physically writing out your journal entries activates your brain more and leads to greater beneficial effects for behaviour change. But I find it better to use it electronically as its easier to convey information - such as linking to sites, videos etc... Than to write out all the info, its also better as an electronic journal's can sync, so I can use my computer when at home, or my phone on the go. No one bats an eye when you pull out your phone to make a quick note, whereas carrying around a handbook everywhere you go, people will, its also very inconvenient to carry around a handbook everywhere you go. Here's a post link about common place book strategies Here are some reason to use the journal ● To make notes of any insights you've had ● Things that have happened to you that day ● What you think about those things ● Random life details [Side note - personally I find it useful, when interacting with others, as you can more recall events in you journal, so when someone says you did something or said something, you know what you did and what you said, so you better know where you stand with people] You can also use a journal to ● Have long emotional vents to "get it all out" ● Make lists of different variables like pros & cons to help solve problems ● Stream of consciousness longform writing ● A pre-packaged set of affirmations ● Things that you are grateful for What its best for though is to create a plan of action on how to achieve the goals you have set out for yourself You do this by, a very similar process to mindfulness Throughout your day, when you deviate from what you should be doing, first notice that fact Second evaluate why, what are you feeling in that moment? Why are you avoiding doing what you should be doing? Mindfulness allows you to see when you fuck up The journal allows you to track when you fuck up Here is simply why a journal is vital for self development Solve this math problem using your head - 425673 divided by 42 = Unless your a math savant you can't There is too much information for you to keep track of Same way, when you're dealing with more involved circumstances and emotions, the reasons your not following through with the plan, it's unrealistic to expect yourself to be able to make good decisions in your head. Now while you probably couldn't do that in your head, you could probably do it on a piece of paper, with some time and effort, if you know the long division process A journal helps us break things down so that we can better identify, where we are failing as to better adapt So as mentioned in the previous post, when you want to eat that donut instead of the chicken salad, journal why, how those urges make your body feel, the thoughts running through your head at that point etc... This will allow you to solve your life's problems via introspection Most importantly to get a better grasp of your own self image Here are some video links Note - Check out both the channels I linked there - especially the Einzelganger one - they got some really good stuff If you journal please leave notes on how you journal Thanks for reading - Hope it was of use