The Benefits of Revisiting Those Old Journals

The increased popularity of journaling proves that there is nothing new under the sun. This centuries-old wellness practice boosts mental health by helping you become more mindful and present .

Journaling is a time for self-reflection, self discovery, and emotional release. There is a catharsis when your pen hits the paper, and you’re able to find solace in the written word. While it can be impactful in the moment, it can also have long term effects, especially when you revisit old journals.

Revisiting old journals will inevitably elicit many emotions . It might feel embarrassing or cause you to cringe when reconnecting with your younger self, but it can also be therapeutic. You can have compassion for your younger self and marvel at the wisdom and lessons you’ve learned.

Reflect on How Far You’ve Come

One great aspect of revisiting old journals is that it allows you space to reflect on how far you’ve come. You might laugh or even cringe at the thoughts of your younger self. You can also show your younger self grace for her mistakes or mishaps and the things you know now that younger you didn’t know.

Revisiting old journals allows you a time of reflection to consider the ways in which you have grown and changed. Look back and celebrate how far you’ve come.

Identify Patterns of Behavior

Another benefit of visiting old journals is growing in self-awareness. As you flip through the pages of old journals, you might come across ways of thinking or behaving that are similar to your present-day self.

Rereading old journals will allow you to identify patterns of behavior – whether healthy or not healthy – and examine them. As you grow in self-awareness, you will be able to better manage your thoughts and behaviors.

Connect With Your Younger Self

Inner child work can be healing. As you revisit old journals from your middle school years, high school years, or later, you get to reconnect with different versions of yourself. It’s almost like sitting down to reconnect with an old friend.

You get to reread her thoughts and feel the emotions she felt. This will allow an emotional release as you read through a younger you’s documentation of your life and the tapestry of her emotional landscape. You also get to show your younger self grace and embrace her with love and kindness.

Gain Insights for the Future

Sometimes, looking back for a short period of time can propel you forward. While you don’t want to sit in the past too long, revisiting old journals is an opportunity to gain insights for the future.

You might remember dreams or goals that your younger self had. You might connect dots of unexplored ideas or uncharted territories you never took. As you reconnect with your younger self, revisiting old journals might just propel you forward into your future.

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