Good writing comes with practice. Some people write letters, some poetry, some short stories... some keep a journal. Journals are great routine-establishers--they get you in the habit of writing every day, consistently. Good practice for students and budding novelists.

Everybody needs to believe in something. Some are religious, but others aren’t. Those who aren’t, people without a solid, clear set of beliefs and values, run the risk of succumbing to nihilism (the belief that life has little or no meaning or value). Even the religious still need their own personal beliefs outside of those of their denomination. No one should expect their entire system of thought to be identical to that of a large population of followers... we are individuals! We are each unique, with our unique worldview, our own insight to the world. You’d never expect two paintings to be the same... why should the work of art that is You be expected to be like others?

Have you even have felt lost, like you are not sure of yourself and your actions? Have you ever felt the need for something to believe in? Well... MAKE something to believe in.

A philosophical journal helps organize your thoughts. What at first seems like a random collection may turn out to be a strong system of thoughts that are your ethics, morals, and beliefs.

Over time, your journal can become a mature work, a summary of your life experience and lessons learned.  It can be a reflection of you as a person.  The beauty of the philosophical journal is that you end up with a product, a work of creative art that represents all the time and effort you’ve put into bettering yourself. That product may be a blog or an electronic file, but both of these can be easily turned into a physical book that can be bound, published, or shared with family and friends. 

See the Keepsake page for more on turning your journal into a prized volume. 

There are other things you could be doing with your time: watching television, playing computer games, chatting on the phone, etc. But what do you have to show for these time-wasters? You have not bettered yourself, exercised your creativity, or produced any evidence of accomplishment. Meanwhile, your philosophical journal can give you a sense of accomplishment. It can out-live you, and be a treasured heirloom. 

“But I already write!” you say. Good! Keep a philosophical journal too. Because it's both meaningful TO you and a representation OF you, its value to you may be greater. See the FAQ for more on the philosophical journal vs. the Blog, Twitter post, and other modern forms of “writing.”

Try this logical argument: 

          1.) Self-reflection leads to critical thinking.
          2.) Critical thinking leads to actions that solve problems.
          3.) The world is full of problems. Having fewer problems would make it better.
          4.) Solving problems makes the world better.

Therefore, self-reflection changes the world. Not exactly the best scientific argument, but still...