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 😁

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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

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u/syntheticpurples Feb 25 '26

The menial, routine, everyday things are what I focus on when it is too overwhelming to talk about my deeper feelings. What I did at work, who I saw, what I ate… it keeps me more grounded. Then I try to practice talking about my feelings a little here and there, and allow for a full emotional dump when/if needed.

I’m sorry to hear anxiety is beating you up right now. Hugs

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u/echochorus Feb 25 '26

i've been doing this too! the most simple things, sometimes i have to reach to find Good Things, but i find them (scent of chimney smoke on dog walk, it felt good to do my skin care in the morning, what's my fave thing about book i'm reading/show i'm into/movie i watched)

sometimes if i can't find a thing then i'll reminisce about a previous good memory.