Many of us have spent the past few months rediscovering Singapore, but what about ourselves? There’s no better time to undergo a journey of self-discovery, and one way to do that is through journaling. Penning down your thoughts in an effort to make sense of them — it’s not as passé as you think.

Some of the many benefits of journaling include an increased sense of self-awareness, creativity, stress relief, and mindfulness. Not only is journaling a relatively easy habit to cultivate, but it’s also incredibly versatile; keep it traditional with pen and paper or use a digital medium of your choosing. It’s like the diary you kept in your teenage years, but better.

Here are some types of journaling you can consider incorporating into your daily routine.

Gratitude journal

Rediscover yourself with these 4 types of journaling

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I could go on and on about gratitude journaling. Not only does it greatly benefit one’s mental health, but it also serves as a reminder of all the good there is, a much-needed dose of positivity amidst these tough times.

We could all use a fresh perspective towards life right now, and a gratitude journal can pave the way for renewed clarity and awareness. Who or what is of importance in your life? Do you appreciate them enough? What are you thankful for?

These are a few questions worth thinking about as you embark on your first gratitude journal. If you’re stuck, plenty of gratitude prompts and templates are available online.

Vision journal

Rediscover yourself with these 4 types of journaling

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If you’re someone who loves maximising productivity, you probably value the importance of goal-setting. Instead of leaving to-do lists or post-it notes scattered around your desk, why not give vision journaling a try?

A vision journal enables you to set proper intentions and keep track of your goals. Regardless of whether you’re starting a business, working on a big project, or just doing your best to get through the workday, a vision journal will keep you and your actions accountable.

Writing down your goals for the day and your plans for achieving them is a simple yet effective way to work on visualisation and organisation — pivotal skills for anyone working to make their dreams a reality.

Art journal

Rediscover yourself with these 4 types of journaling

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Do not worry if you’re unable to put your feelings into words. When words fail, art takes over.

An art journal serves the same purpose as a written journal, but with the incorporation of any art form imaginable, be it drawing (or doodling), painting, scrap-booking, collage-making, and the like. The best part is, you don’t even have to possess exceptional art skills to begin an art journal. After all, there is no right or wrong when it comes to art. Anything goes, really.

Art is a form of catharsis, and so is journaling. Combine them together and you get the ultimate vehicle of creative self-expression.

Dream journal

Rediscover yourself with these 4 types of journaling

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Studies have shown that people are having more vivid and unusual dreams during the pandemic. To this I agree, for my dreams have indeed become longer, more bizarre, and even cinematic in nature. If you, like me, have constantly pondered the meaning of such dreams, a dream journal might come in handy.

Dream journals help to unlock one’s creativity through an exploration of the subconscious mind, improving one’s ability to lucid dream. They also enable you to track recurring patterns or scenarios, which can then be analysed through a dream dictionary. All it takes is keeping a dream journal by your bedside and jotting down every detail as soon as you wake up.

The wildly popular practices of astrology and tarot reading focus on personal growth and self-discovery. Is the interpretation of dreams any different?

Feature image from Unsplash