Journaling : Is it useful?

If you are an iOS user and have updated to the recent version, you might have a need Journal app installed. I was surprised as I didn’t remember installing it, until I realised it was a ‘stock’ app. Seems like Apple thinks journaling is common enough to introduce a native/stock app in an update.

The app seems smooth and simple. I don’t like the prompt, but I understand some people like to have a ‘trigger’ about what to write.

I didn’t continue writing in the Journal app since I have been doing it in the app Day One. App Store LINK. It was recommended to me years ago and I thought why not, and has been journaling since. At first I tried its random prompt too, but found it irritating, having to come up with some answers to a random question. Also it requires, or at least I feel that I am required to write a lot (I guess the prompts are good, in a way).

Unfortunately this takes too much energy and I hated it. So I thought to simplify it so that I try this journaling with least effort and see how it works out. At that time I was also reading Atomic Habits so I set my static prompt to ‘What I have done better today?’. At first I still find it laborious, but nowadays it just takes a minute and almost no effort to write a post. It also helps that I link the app to my todoist app ( you can also set a reminder in Day One).

It has been 2 years since I started journaling. Has it been a ‘game changer’? Not that much, I think. Has it helped? Yes, especially on days that seems or feels a bit overwhelming. Would I continue doing it? Yes, since it has been a habit that brings benefits, with low effort needed.

Should you try it? I think it depends on the person but I would suggest to try it for a few weeks, and start or set it up as simple and frictionless as possible. App wise, I think the iOS Journal app seems fine, but I think I’ll stick with Day One since I have invested quite some time. Also the app reminds me what I journaled, on this day, a few year(s) ago.

Good luck on your writing.

Thank you for reading.