More and more big companies are hopping on the journaling bandwagon as a great form of self-care. But why now?

Journaling has been around since the beginning of time, hasn’t it? Isn’t that essentially what all those caveman wall carvings were?

While I don’t have an obvious answer to any of those questions, I can share my best hypothesis.

“Can I journal using a phone or computer?”

I get asked this question a lot. And I understand why. With more and more journaling apps coming out all the time - including the Apple Journal, writing using a screen seems like such an easy answer.

So, here are 5 reasons why I suggest journaling with good ol’ fashion pen and paper:

Have you ever tried to describe your mood using color?

Plenty of experts have weighed in on this subject. This idea that we’re attracted to different colors depending on what we’re currently feeling. And of course it makes sense…

Here’s an exercise to help you journal with colors this week. Put aside your boring black ink pen and instead pull out your markers…

The problem with squeaky hinges that go untended to is that they rarely fix themselves. In fact, they usually get progressively worse over time until we're stuck with a much bigger problem than just a whining floorboard. And then we get mad at ourselves for letting it go so long untended to.

Have you ever stopped to consider that YOU may also have some squeaky hinges? Those little things that you don't love about yourself or your situation, but they’re not worrisome enough to fix them. They’re not these big huge blaring problems, so we tend to let them go unchecked for as long as possible, hoping that we'll just stop noticing them at all.

Whether you're a fan of the holiday or not, it’s impossible to ignore all the pink and red hearts popping up everywhere as Valentine's Day is upon us. I’ll give you a minute to either swoon or puke as I say that word…

We see it all the time. Little kids who are attached to a stuffed animal or blanket. Their “lovey.” The item that brings them comfort to help them when the world starts to feel too big. And let's call it what it is - the world is huge to a little kid. So loud and overstimulating and unknown. It only makes sense to carry a lovey around.

I remember as a little girl, I used to keep a journal. Each page was filled with eraser smudges and poorly-spelled words that told all about my days. “This morning, we went to IHOP for pancakes. I love pancakes… I’m so ready for summer break… Why is my sister so annoying?”