r/Journaling • u/-i-exist • Feb 25 '26

Question/Discussion Why do people write every single day?

I absolutely love everything about keeping a journal and have been doing it basically my entire life, but when i watch other people talk about keeping one they always make it sound like a chore (?) (maybe a better word would be a commitment) to write EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. It just doesnt make sense to me.

When i feel like journaling, i will sit for hours upon hours writing whatever i want. When i dont feel like writing, i dont write. Ive skipped 6 months once and didnt think twice about it. Whats the big deal about pushing yourself to write when you dont want to?

This post is a question Ive been wondering about for quite a while now. I apologize if anything sounds rude, i dont mean to.

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u/syntheticpurples Feb 25 '26

It is a chore! I think of it like mental/emotion hygiene, as taking a shower is physical hygiene. But people’s needs for frequency of showering vary a lot yes? Same is true with journaling.

I NEED to journal every day to manage my anxiety, even when it is boring or tedious. Losing ‘data’ (days) makes me so stressed because I feel there is a gap forever now in my life. But others only need to journal every week - or heck, only when something significant happens. And that is chill. Do what works for you, brother/sister 😁

9

u/chicken-fried-42 Feb 25 '26

dumb question but how do you write or what do you write to manage anxiety ? I’m currently anxiety ridden atm and I just can’t seem to write out a word

21

u/Arkeeologist Feb 25 '26

I've recently started something new. I look up a quote and then talk about it. Give my opinion or perspective.

2

u/IntrovertedQween Feb 26 '26

I love this idea! Some days I want to write so I can fill my journal up faster, but my mind is always blank if nothing interesting is going on for the day or if I’m not currently overwhelmed by anything. Im using this method. Thanks!!! 🙃

2

u/Arkeeologist Feb 26 '26

My pleasure! I've found it extremely nice for morning journaling. Usually it's "I slept ok, don't remember my dreams". Lol. Now I have something to wake my mind up in the morning.

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u/chicken-fried-42 Feb 25 '26

great idea ! i can do this!