How Giving Girls Journals Benefits their Self-Esteem

This is a cross post from Monique Halley’s blog titled Simply Bliss Life.

If you give a girl a journal…what will she do next?

There are 2 things that can happen…

She may use it, or not.

Since I’m an optimist, I’m focusing on the 2nd option. The positive possibilities are endless.

I hope she will…start to write or draw and express her thoughts, emotions, creativity and discover her truth, embrace it and build her confidence.

Girls entering puberty often face a crisis in confidence, which makes them vulnerable to risky behavior, and those bad choices can have devastating lifelong consequences. I know from personal experience how far in life those consequences can follow you and how it affects your self-esteem.

For that reason, I created …If you give a girl a journal project. My goal is simple… I’m investing in young girls and empowering them with a journal.

 A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, commissioned by the Dove® Self-Esteem Fund found that: Girls with low self-esteem are significantly more likely to engage in negative behaviors 75% of girls with low self-esteem reported engaging in negative activities such as disordered eating, cutting, bullying, smoking, or drinking when feeling badly about themselves (Compared to 25% of girls with high self-esteem)

As adults we all have an internal dialog with ourselves every day, processing thoughts, feelings and making decisions. Recording this internal dialog is one way for us to make better decisions and changes. Young girls go through the same process and they too, should have a way to develop their internal dialogues.

Why Young girls should keep a journal:

• Since they are faced with changing events in their life, it’s a safe and healthy way to express themselves and build their confidence.
• To process difficulties and challenges (divorce, peer pressure, body image etc…).
• It’s a creative activity for exploring life joys.
• To explore her likes and dislikes, which will aid in her decision making process.

Different ways young girls can keep a journal:

• To get to know herself, this will give her an opportunity to observe how she is growing.
• If she likes writing, use it as a writing journal.
• Whenever she feels inspired she can write (freestyle).
• To vent or rant.
• To record her achievements and special events.
• To voice her creative writing.
• To use as a dream journal.
• She can dig dipper when faced with explosive situations to avoid making mistakes.
• As reinforcement, if she does not have an adult she trusts enough to open up to.

Since there are no rules and no wrong or wright way to keep a journal, she can explore different methods of journaling and stick to the one that makes her most happy and works best with her personal style.

Although I received my 1^st journal when I was in college, it was very instrumental for me in uncovering my true self and being more confident. Nevertheless, the sooner the better, right?

Monique Halley’s Bio: I am a Self-Awareness Coach and my purpose is to support you in taking personal responsibility for developing healthy emotional habits, through journaling. Being aware of your negative emotions is a great step towards dealing with them. My life wisdom, experiences and skills has been instrumental in preparing me to encourage others to value self-awareness. I have been Journaling for 15 years and truly know the benefits it offers. I have a BA in Psychology, which introduced me to the importance of personal development. You can stay connected through twitter/@simplyblisslife and facebook.com/simplyblisslife.

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