Do you ever feel like your mindset needs cleansing from all of the stress of university? As we all know, being a uni student can feel like you’re carrying a lot of heavy baggage at times. Whether you feel overwhelmed from your assignments or have any external problems that are spinning your head, taking time to unwind and engaging in journaling is very effective for clearing your mind.
Although it may not sound very useful and the idea is quite often overlooked, it really can be beneficial to your mind and self-esteem if you do any kind of journaling frequently. Here are a few ideas of the many things you could begin writing about:
Film, book or music logging:
Starting a review log of films/series that you’ve watched, books you’ve read or music you listen to can always be a fun place to start. As the apps of Letterboxd and Goodreads have rocketed in popularity recently, making a log diary is a great way to not only distract yourself from negative thoughts but decrease your screen time by handwriting these opinions instead.
Create a weekly planner:
A great approach to winding yourself down (especially if your stress is assignment related), is to organise your week ahead to structure some balance into your days and to manage your priorities.
We know how tempting it can be to dismiss your workload to go out or sit on your phone, but it is vital that you remain on top of your studies (even if it boring and draining!). This can be by setting boundaries and balancing out your study and personal time, as well as planning nutritious/fun meals to try and scheduling shopping or cafe trips with your friends.
Note your accomplishments:
If you feel like your self-esteem levels are a little low, try reminding yourself of any and all things that you have achieved recently. This can be from anything big to even small things, such as trying something new or getting yourself through a situation that you dreaded.
Everyone experiences low self-esteem throughout their lives, and trying to boost these levels back up where possible is always important. Even just reminding yourself of your littlest achievements and what you’re proud of is always a good place to start.
Make a future wishes/bucket list:
Have you thought about what you want to do after university? Even if it’s only been about places you want to travel? Then make a huge list or lots of mini lists of your future plans or wishes! In my experience, whenever I note down that I want to live my dream of working in New York, it only motivates and encourages me to work harder towards making it happen. Remember – always dream big!
Even if you only engage with a journal or diary a couple of times a week, you are still creating a better mindset for yourself.
Featured image credit: Erin Hamilton