From gratitude lists to keeping precious memories alive, there are many reasons why someone would want to keep a diary.
Not only can writing in a journal be an important self-care practice, it can also help keep us organised by ensuring our future plans stay on track.
And there’s one mum-of-three who knows that more than most – seeing her love of journaling lead to a dramatic change in her career.
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Becki Cross started writing just before the pandemic started in 2020, jotting down everything from daily Covid figures to her thoughts and feelings.
Though the 41-year-old took up the hobby as a chance to “pause and reflect”, her entries quickly allowed her to map out the future she wanted for herself.
With a dream of returning to university and becoming a full-time lecturer, she used her diary to plan out how she was going to achieve that goal.
With the pandemic putting her event management business on hold, Becki, from Preston, used the opportunity to enrol at university and went on to complete her master's degree.
She now works as a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire teaching business and enterprise – something she believes would not have happened if she hadn't started putting pen to paper.
“I firmly believe I wouldn't have got my current job without journaling and now I want to open the doors for others to use this as a tool to make a lifestyle change, no matter how big or small,” she said.
“Through journaling, instead of plodding along, you take stock and think of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there.
“I see it as a habit that will stay forever. Even if it’s five minutes a day, I try and write in my journal before bed. [My entries] change depending on what I need.
“Then it became a career change and how to change my life. Sometimes it’s more of a creative outlet, or a brain dump. I find it really helpful in terms of mental wellbeing.”
Journaling has increased in popularity in recent years, with the hashtag count on TikTok for ‘journaling ideas’ standing at more than 400 million views.
The hobby was also named as a top 5 TikTok wellness trend for 2023 by media company Conde Nast.
“It’s a creative outlet,” she added. “I find it quite therapeutic; it’s like writing a letter to yourself. My journaling nowadays is just like recording my day. It’s a stream of consciousness writing – trying not to think too much but writing pages of free-flowing text. All sorts come to mind.”
Becki has now organised a new large-scale event being held at Manchester Central in July, JournalFest. For more information, visit here.
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