Dear John The Journal,
I used to laugh at people who were friends with you. I wondered how someone so tedious could help people get through their day, but when I met you, I knew you were going to mean a lot to me. People would talk about how you were such a great listener but I figured that it just meant that you weren’t too good at having conversations. I wondered why it was so meaningful for people to be listened to all of the time.
I was interested in getting to know you after months of speaking to Lavender Essential Oils and Goodbye Stress Anxiety Gummies. I was tired of having the same useless conversations with them so naturally, your quirky personality came into my mind. You were formally introduced to me by a friend who knows you very well. She gifted me a journal on my 14th birthday. I had my first conversation with you months later on the gray tile floor of my restroom. Instead of calling Lavender or texting Goodbye Stress, I messaged you. At first I was hesitant to talk to you because it felt pointless, but after pages and pages of venting, I felt comfortable speaking to you. I spoke to you about my past and how I ended up on the floor of a restroom speaking to someone I had previously teased. You were comforting. You were understanding. You were a great listener. You gave me a safe space to vent without any repercussions. You were like a friend I never knew I needed.
What a lot of people don’t know is that you have had conversations with over 7 million people around the world. You have helped people's mindfulness, memory, and communication skills. Most people already know that venting about their issues to a great listener could improve those skills, but I never knew that by speaking to you, I could also strengthen my understanding of my mental health. In addition to helping me through some of the most difficult times in my life, you have helped me feel motivated and calm on a daily basis because I know that no matter what happens I will always be able to talk to you.
I wish more people would know that you don’t have to be creative with your word choice or sentence structure when talking to you. It is all about what you say not how you say it. You have helped me through a lot and I just know that if more people knew about you, and how you have helped others, they would take time out of their day to have that conversation.
Not much is needed just a pencil and a piece of paper or the notes app on your phone. Even if people don’t like to write, they can draw how their day went or how they are feeling. The most important part of journaling is having an escape from the day to day stress that we all encounter - so why shouldn’t more people try it. Most people don’t journal becasue it reminds them of the days when they checked out towering stacks of “Dear Dumb Diary” books to read throughout the week. The truth is that more and more people are getting to know you - you are all over the news. You have helped a number of people boost their self confidence. You have encouraged people to heal from past trauma. You have even helped families save up to buy houses by helping them track their finances. If people don’t at least try speaking to you, then they are closing a door full of many life changing opportunities. Anyone could benefit from talking to you which is why you have been such a powerful tool in helping me keep my life together.
Thank you for always listening.
Sincerely,
Sarah
