Can I Keep an Audio Journal And a Written Journal? - Here Are The Shared Benefits of Both
Self-expression can take many forms. From the clothes you choose to wear on that first post-lockdown date, to the photos you post on your Insta story.
A more personal form of creative self-expression is journaling.
I bet you write (or more likely type) nearly every day. But how much of this comes from a place of creativity & innovation, not simply to complete a work task? Or sending a text?
Creative writers and artists have always kept journals to record and capture their ideas and thoughts. For example, Phoebe Waller-Bridge has spoken about how she wrote down small snippets for more than 5 years before piecing it together to form ‘Fleabag’. Whereas Taylor Swift often records voice notes of a single lyric or melody as part of her process of writing a song. But which is better- audio journaling or written journaling? Whatever works for you and your lifestyle! Because journaling is a form of creative self-expression, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all tool. They both offer you the opportunity to slow down, reflect, evolve your ideas, and document your thoughts over time.
Benefits of both written and audio journaling
1.Improved IQ and communication skills
Journaling naturally encourages us to explore and expand our language use. It is therefore positively correlated with intelligence due to our desire to expand our scope of vocab.
As well as this, written journaling is considered by researchers as a form of written communication, and is connected to our vocalisations. Put simply, the more sophisticated you write, the more sophisticated you will speak too!
2.Removes mental blocks and improves creativity
The act of writing activates your left brain, which is rational and methodological, leaving your right brain free to create, feel and innovate. This frees up brainpower to help us to better understand ourselves and the world around us. In relation to audio journaling, this recording of our stream of consciousness helps improve our expressivity - so both forms of journaling are bound to get your creative juices flowing!
3.Helps you channel negative thoughts and boosts happiness
Journaling is an excellent outlet for expressing our emotions, and in turn, helps us to become more self-aware. Not only that, but journaling about happy and positive experiences allows our brain to relive the moment and so dopamine and endorphins are released, resulting in an increase in our mood and self-esteem.
4.Reduced physical stressors
Research has found that reflecting on stressful events helps us to come to terms with them, and as a result reduces the impact of physical stressors on our health, such as lowering our blood pressure.
5.More mindful and helps us achieve our goals
Whether we are speaking about future anxieties or previous stresses, studies have found journaling helps us to process these events and encourages mindfulness and being present in the moment.
In light of these benefits, perhaps a more appropriate question is not which type of journaling is best to use, but when is the best TIMES to use each one! For me, there are three key factors which influence which form of journaling I choose to do day today.
6.Headspace
When my brain is working at 100 miles an hour and I can’t sit still, I know (rightly or wrongly) I’ll turn to my phone. In moods like this, it feels most appropriate and appealing to audio-journal, as my writing wouldn’t keep up with my thoughts and my stream of consciousness is being recorded in real-time.
Plus, it’s a sure guarantee that I won’t forget to journal anything as I can speak and think simultaneously. I can be as fidgety, hyper, or on the move as I like when audio journaling, and even better as I can hear my mood and emotion is reflected in my journal entry!
7.Time
I love putting pen to paper and writing down my thoughts & feelings, but only when I carve out the time. If I’m pushed for time, a written journal will amalgamate into a to-do list or life admin and I find it hard to swap out of that mind frame. So around once a week I’ll sit down and dedicate some time to solely writing down my goals, thoughts and plans for the upcoming days. On busier weekdays I’ll tend to audio journal as it feels quicker and more convenient as my phone is always nearby.
8.Productivity
Some days I feel like superwoman and am ticking things off my checklist at a rapid pace. In these productive moments, I feel my most calm and reflective and I like nothing better than journaling my sense of accomplishment. Although I still get a sense of satisfaction after making an audio journal, sometimes the old ways are the best and seeing my thoughts being written on paper feels most rewarding.
No doubt if you’re into your journaling you started off by writing things down, but as technology plays an ever-increasing part in our lives, audio journaling is a convenient and productive way to be using our phones, whilst simultaneously looking out for ourselves.
As with anything, it took me some time to figure out which type of journaling I preferred to do at certain times and headspaces. But using written and audio journaling interchangeably to suit my mood only adds to the personal quality of journaling!
About the author:
Hannah is a recent Psychology Graduate from Cardiff Uni, who now works within the Marketing Partnerships team at Journify! She is a keen netball player and yogi, who can usually be found baking or enjoying a G+T with friends and family.