I used to worry that using my journaling to indulge some of my larger emotions was non-productive; that it could make me sink deeper into low points and make it harder for me to get out of them. But I've since learned that the opposite is true: By giving myself the time and space to process things, I've found that I'm able to get through them with a more level head. So, in the long run, it actually helps me spend less time dwelling in some of my more negative thoughts.

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So, this is actually more of a "chicken or the egg" situation: Do I spend my free time near-obsessively chronicling my daily life in order to justify buying new leather-bound journals and newfangled fountain pens? Or does the purchase of said accoutrements actually inspire me to write more?

Either way, it's a win-win (except where my wallet is concerned): A few upgrades in pen and paper later and my words are flowing across the page oh-so smoothly (and rapidly). And my penmanship — while still fairly horrendous — has never looked better!

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If this sounds even remotely intriguing to you, give it a try. (Especially if you're a writer.) It's quickly become one of my favorite hobbies and I've already found myself referring to old journals and chuckling at some past entries. Yes, Future You will likely find more cringe-worthy passages than laugh-inducing ones, but I'd say it's well-worth the trade-off.

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