The art of journaling has found a fresh home among young adults
As summer reaches its peak in Oman and schools and colleges close for a long break, it is inevitably a time for a much deserved rest. But it is also a time to rejuvenate – both the body and the soul. At some point in the long break and unrelenting sun, try journaling.
Once viewed as a pastime for tweens, as we now know them, scribbling in secret diaries or public figures writing their memoirs, journaling today is an industry in itself. Thanks to many events like Covid, the focus on mental health and the pushback on technology, journaling is being re-interpreted as a calming and reflecting opportunity.
This is not a coincidence. Self-care, uncertainty of the future, whether professional or personal, and the need for moral clarity where there is little around us, are all factors pushing this trend to becoming a lifestyle for many. In that sense, it is actually a cultural shift.
There is inspiration from all corners of the world: US author-artist Julia Cameron's popular 'Morning Pages' started a trend that famous writers like Indian stand up comedian Vir Das recommends. The technique is to switch off from all distractions for an hour every morning and, well, just write. It is a literal brainstorming that could include thoughts, fears, hopes, motivation and even concrete plans. Das says that he writes up to 3 pages every day – that is a lot of daily reflection.
Journaling is actually restorative in our present world of incessant stimulations. The digital age, ironically, has made this old-fashioned trend revive. Social media is full of aesthetically pleasing journals, layouts and inspiring prompts. Popular hashtags include #bujo [bullet journaling] or #jounrnalinspiration, all showing ways for people to connect.
Journaling doesn't only use words – it can be a mixed method format of scrapbook, sketches and text, along with other forms like actual planning. This is popular among young adults because it allows them to be more authentic – not the perfect digital version that is the aspiration in much of social media.
As people navigate from one challenge and opportunity to another, journaling becomes a way to track goals, manage time and reflect on achievements and aspirations.
There is a format of journaling for everybody: a bullet form for those who think in terms of itemised ideas, gratitude forms to remind us of what we already have, even a feeling tracker format that charts changing emotions in particular days.
Journaling is now frequently recommended by counsellors and even neuroscientists who have found that writing by hand engages all the regions of the human brain that are involved in cognition, memory and reflection.
The best part of journaling is that it doesn't require any equipment – an old paper and pen can be basic and there is no limit to what can be added to it – beautiful scented books, pictures, colours or just plain words – the possibilities are endless. Encouraging youngsters around us to engage in journaling may offer them a space to clarify their thoughts, be creative and just be a place to be themselves.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Ed Sheeran makes his Bollywood debut in Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film
Mumbai, India – The English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran surprised and excited many of his Indian fans with his most recent single Sapphire. Featuring the famous Bollywood singer Arijit Singh and a brief appearance from the equally famous actor Shah Rukh Khan in his song's music video, this is only the beginning of the global pop-sensation's ventures in Indian music. He plans on teaming up with Shah Rukh Khan once again in a Hindi song said to feature an upcoming Bollywood film the actor is starring in. Fans continue to speculate on the latest announcement as many have guessed that the film in question refers to King. A movie that is said to be directed by Siddharth Anand and is also expected to feature appearances from Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Arshad Warsi, and Rani Mukerji, among others. Setting the stage for future cultural collaborations in Bollywood that will leave fans always wanting more.
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Board games: Where fun and learning meet
Memories of childhood spent playing Ludo and Snakes-and-Ladder are almost disappearing with the tides of time, but other board game options have become popular among different social groups. While Covid saw an exponential rise in the popularity of board games, their continued popularity is more surprising but happening for all the right reasons. Already worth billions of dollars, the tabletop board game market is set to grow to $32 billion by 2032, according to Forbes. This is a massive rise for a past-time which was considered more suitable for retirement communities and rainy days. An important reason for the rise of board games is the need for tangible experiences in a digital world of screens. Gathering around a table and actually playing with someone across the table adds a dimension that younger players may not have experienced. Of course, nostalgia is a big factor too. Many millennials have fond memories of playing board games with family and friends and they do try to share the experience with their children. These games create memories and help to connect with our past, adding chatter and nostalgia to the mix. Board games also provide social connections. It is not surprising that there is a trend towards cafes which offer board games to choose from. These create opportunities for face-to-face interactions, creating a community and enhancing social relationships that are being lost in the world of Zoom calls. There is also a wide variety of board games to choose from today – not just the traditional Monopoly or Scrabble but also games like 'Catan' and 'Ticket to Ride', which cater to every taste and age. Some have also become competitive, with gamers meeting other enthusiasts in physical competitions. Tabletop games have also re-invented themselves to stay relevant. There are story-driven and interactive games which depend on collaboration and narrative immersion. Games like 'Pandemic' make players work towards a common goal, increasing and improving collaborative skills. Narrative games like 'Gloomhaven' immerse players in a story where the choices they make will change the course of the story. This creates opportunities for players to understand the consequences of human action, even through fiction. Of course, board games have found a digital space as well, with players engaging in interactive games online. It is this adaptability that makes the games popular. Board games offer nostalgia, social connections, imaginative space and technological possibilities. But they also have many educational benefits. Games like Settlers of Catan help with strategy, Sushi Go enhances calculation skills, and of course, Scrabble improves language abilities. But games also help in developing other skills like cooperation, team building, communication and cultural awareness. They also help in developing personality traits like patience, politeness and concentration. There is almost no negative side to playing board games. They remain a popular way for families to bond. Allowing children to choose the games and explain the rules gives them ownership and makes them feel valued. This long summer, introducing our families to the age-old tradition of board games may be the best use of our time.
Observer
08-06-2025
- Observer
The art of journaling has found a fresh home among young adults
As summer reaches its peak in Oman and schools and colleges close for a long break, it is inevitably a time for a much deserved rest. But it is also a time to rejuvenate – both the body and the soul. At some point in the long break and unrelenting sun, try journaling. Once viewed as a pastime for tweens, as we now know them, scribbling in secret diaries or public figures writing their memoirs, journaling today is an industry in itself. Thanks to many events like Covid, the focus on mental health and the pushback on technology, journaling is being re-interpreted as a calming and reflecting opportunity. This is not a coincidence. Self-care, uncertainty of the future, whether professional or personal, and the need for moral clarity where there is little around us, are all factors pushing this trend to becoming a lifestyle for many. In that sense, it is actually a cultural shift. There is inspiration from all corners of the world: US author-artist Julia Cameron's popular 'Morning Pages' started a trend that famous writers like Indian stand up comedian Vir Das recommends. The technique is to switch off from all distractions for an hour every morning and, well, just write. It is a literal brainstorming that could include thoughts, fears, hopes, motivation and even concrete plans. Das says that he writes up to 3 pages every day – that is a lot of daily reflection. Journaling is actually restorative in our present world of incessant stimulations. The digital age, ironically, has made this old-fashioned trend revive. Social media is full of aesthetically pleasing journals, layouts and inspiring prompts. Popular hashtags include #bujo [bullet journaling] or #jounrnalinspiration, all showing ways for people to connect. Journaling doesn't only use words – it can be a mixed method format of scrapbook, sketches and text, along with other forms like actual planning. This is popular among young adults because it allows them to be more authentic – not the perfect digital version that is the aspiration in much of social media. As people navigate from one challenge and opportunity to another, journaling becomes a way to track goals, manage time and reflect on achievements and aspirations. There is a format of journaling for everybody: a bullet form for those who think in terms of itemised ideas, gratitude forms to remind us of what we already have, even a feeling tracker format that charts changing emotions in particular days. Journaling is now frequently recommended by counsellors and even neuroscientists who have found that writing by hand engages all the regions of the human brain that are involved in cognition, memory and reflection. The best part of journaling is that it doesn't require any equipment – an old paper and pen can be basic and there is no limit to what can be added to it – beautiful scented books, pictures, colours or just plain words – the possibilities are endless. Encouraging youngsters around us to engage in journaling may offer them a space to clarify their thoughts, be creative and just be a place to be themselves.
