Garance Galore

Since my youngest age, I have always found a lot of comfort in writing. Even though I have no particular talent for it, I never felt discouraged from writing and putting words on my feelings and thoughts.

It was never about performance, but more of a hobby for me.

The years passed, and I lost the will and the habit of keeping a journal. Sadly, right after middle school, I even forgot about it till I decided to move abroad on a student exchange program. I thought it would be fun to document my feelings and simply have memories of this year which I thought would be special. AND IT WAS!

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know how the story went.. I met A and officially moved to Malta. I started writing in this very journal on my second week here and it is now almost full. The funny thing is that we are now planning on relocating; by the time we leave Malta, I will probably be done with it.

It truly is the end of a chapter.

I now have what feels like a treasure to me and it made me feel so emotional. I like to go back to read the first pages. And as I turn each one of them, I realize how much I and my life have changed in almost 4 years.

This sweet realization inspired me for today’s post and reminded me of all the benefits journaling brought into my life. Benefits that I would like to share with you!

It fosters creativity

When you find yourself in front of blank paper, you’ll be surprised at what your brain can come up with. In an age of overstimulation and never-ending entertainment, I think journaling is a wonderful opportunity to connect to your inner child and let your creative side rise!

I know some people think that they are just not ‘the creative type’ but I am convinced that we all are, in our own ways. Because you’re not into crafty hobbies does not mean you can’t find a lot of joy in writing. Don’t overthink it; just START with something and let your creative self out!

It’s therapeutic

Wheter I am having a bad day or feeling my best on a plane on my way to a well-deserved holiday, and I always enjoy writing down whatever emotion is going through me.

The paper is there to listen. You don’t have to be careful about how you put things. It’s also very interesting to read your journal again to get to know yourself better.

I truly believe that writing allows you to leave negative thoughts and feelings on the paper as well as keep you aware of your blessings in life. You should really give it a shot.

It improves your writing skills

When you do something all the time, you obviously get better at it!

Now, remember that you are not writing the next best-selling novel, and this should NOT be the purpose of your journal (if that’s not your goal), but there is no denying that it will have a positive impact on your writing skills.

One of the reasons why I started this blog is because I wanted to improve my writing in English (which is not my mother tongue), and although I sometimes deal with impostor syndrome, I think I am slowly getting better.

I’m not saying that you have to write for the whole internet to read you, but if you are willing to improve your skills in a foreign language, writing is a powerful exercise! Journaling was the first step for me; it helped me gain confidence while writing in English and unconsciously prepared me for this whole Garance Galore journey.

My tips for starting your journal:

• Don’t limit yourself

You do not have to start every page of your journal with ‘Dear diary’ or write endless tales about mundane activities (if you don’t feel like doing so). Keep in mind that there is only one rule in journaling: There are no rules.

I love writing inspirational quotes, song titles that take me back to special moments, anectodes, quick updates, and things I’m grateful for. It could go from 5 words to 5 pages. I draw and keep flight tickets, restaurant cards’ of places I loved, and any kind of souvenir that brought joy into my life.

You can also write ‘a letter to someone’, goal lists… The options are so numerous! Look it up!

• Use a good pen

Maybe I’m just an aesthetic girl at heart, but I think that choosing a pen you love is key! It will look different depending on your criteria, but I would consider the type of ink, color, size, etc. I personally enjoy a very smooth pen with a comfortable shape that does not hurt my fingers for when I’m feeling extra inspired.

• Be picky about the paper quality

There’s only one place I would buy my journals, and it’s Flyingtiger. I’m lowkey thinking of buying a bunch just in case they ever close down lol.

The journals I love are the ones with this specific paper and pattern:

If you know any place that sells them except from FT pleeeeeeeease let me know!

• Consider the size of your journal

It’s tempting to go for a big journal because you have more space, but I honestly find it a bit discouraging because it takes so long to fill up a page. If you are just starting, I would recommend going for smaller journals, as it’s less intimidating.

It’s also great to be able to take it everywhere. I only get journals that are small enough to fit in most of my handbags. It’s very practical.

• Take it with you, wherever you go

I often find myself wanting to journal in the most random place and moment, and it’s great to be able to do so because you know that it is somewhere in your bag.

• No pressure

I sometimes don’t touch my journal for a month. And sometimes I will write every 2-3 days for two months in a row. There are no rules. When life is busy or when I simply don’t feel like it, I’m not going to write in it. No big deal!

I’ve seen some people giving themselves a minimum number of pages per day or week but I would never do this. This is supposed to be fun, it’s not a daily assignment to yourself.

In total, I hope you enjoyed today’s topic. I wish you a fruitful and happy writing ahead. And if you ever plan on starting a blog, let us know!!!

Garance