iOS 17.2 is now available, bringing a brand new app called Journal. As we approach the end of 2024, it’s the perfect time for some self-reflection. Now, you might be wondering why you would need a Journal app on your iPhone, especially when you have the Notes app. Well, let’s talk about that.
Is journaling different from taking notes?
People have been journaling for a long time. Initially, this was done in physical diaries, notebooks that you hide in a locked drawer, away from prying eyes, where you share important things about your day. Journaling is a form of self-reflection, and doing it regularly can help you discover things about yourself and find areas for growth.
On the other hand, taking notes is more of an administrative matter and mainly focuses on helping you remember what you need to buy or do.
Of course, no one (or almost no one) uses a physical diary these days (I mean, I almost forgot how to write with a physical pen and end up with messy scribbles every time I try!). This is where the new Journal app comes in handy.
It’s no secret that technology exists to help us do more and be more productive and entertained. But technology can also help in personal growth!
It’s a busy world…
We rarely have time to sit alone, as we’re constantly on the move: be it at work, with the kids, with household chores, with projects… but self-reflection is a vital part of becoming a better person and growing. Why? Because without knowing yourself, what drives you or irritates you, you can’t move forward and evolve as a person.
The Journal app can be useful if you forget to set aside time for yourself, as it can remind you to write and also give you prompts if the blank page seems daunting.
What’s also better in the Journal app than in your regular physical diary is that you can easily add photos, videos, and other media to a journal entry. How can this help with self-reflection? Let’s say you’re having an active day outdoors and have taken lots of photos of nature. You want to be able to remember the feeling the experience brought you, so you put that in a journal entry.
Are you having a bad day? Maybe a quick voice note of you just expressing how you’re feeling can help figure things out? Sometimes, we get moody without knowing how to resolve it – well, naming the emotion you’re feeling is a way to bring clarity to your mind and help you start to solve the problem.
And if you have all these entries in your Journal app, you’ll start to have an overview of yourself and your emotions. Thus, getting to know yourself better and making lasting changes to achieve your full potential.
Journaling challenge: let’s give it a try!
You might still be thinking it’s no use using the Journal app. But you never know until you try, right? In fact, to start feeling the benefits of journaling and self-reflection, you need to do it regularly for some time.
Let’s take on a challenge together! Let’s try to have at least one entry (you can do more if you want) per day for 14 days. Then, on the 14th day, let’s review our entries and try to find these three things:
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What things or experiences inspire me
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What situations make me angry
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What can I improve about myself
See if you can find something about yourself that you didn’t know!