Everyone can benefit from journaling by writing down daily events, emotions, and hopes which forces deeper thinking and provides a record of life experiences. Journaling regularly improves writing skills and helps remember life events since memory is imperfect. While journaling can occur anytime, consistency is important. The location is less important than feeling comfortable and secure to allow for deep self-reflection by reviewing the day's events and feelings, writings from readings, and exploring thoughts and feelings through freewriting. The goal of journaling is personal growth and expression through writing.

1. THE BASICS