Even if you are not ‘into philosophy’ per se, there is no denying that the thoughts of great thinkers from the past have shaped the world that we are in right now. To a degree, the art of deep thought and critical reasoning is a skill that has been lost in recent years.
In moments of boredom, many people turn to bursts of content, absorbing information without taking a step back and working through the process of coming to their own conclusions. When we need an opinion, we turn to AI platforms in an effort to sound as learned as possible. In short, we don’t need to think anymore.
Philosophical journaling, where you write reflectively, questioning what you believe and the ways of the world around you, can refine your mind and also reveal patterns in your thinking.
Let’s look at how you can get started with philosophical journaling of your own.
What is Philosophical Journaling?
I have already touched on this briefly above, but in order to start effectively, it is important that we cement a basic understanding of exactly what philosophical journaling is and what it is not.
First, philosophical journaling is not the same as a diary. You do not record events that occur, plans for the future, or even stories from your life. Instead, you work through questions.
For example, if you were to write about an event that stuck out to you at a family gathering, instead of simply recording what your mind dwelled on, you would instead question why your mind dwelled on it at all, if there was a deeper meaning to it, and what it revealed about the situation or even yourself.
The event itself doesn’t matter at all. You are interested in your perception of events and what that can tell you.
Why Philosophical Journaling Matters
It is difficult to find time to actually stop and think. I used to be able to sit quietly for hours when I was younger, but now every moment that I have free, I feel an itch to reach for my phone and find some sort of entertainment. I know many other people are in the same boat.
This is far from a new problem, though.
Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher who lived from 1623 to 1662, is well known for saying:
‘All of humanity’s problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone.’
Slowing down and purposefully sitting down to reflect gives us insight into our lives that we would never have had otherwise. This insight then affects us in moments when we are not alone, perhaps even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Writing, instead of just sitting there thinking, makes it more difficult to get distracted and prevents your mind from straying.
You also train your mind to think in these patterns, which makes it easier to think critically during interactions and when presented with information in real time.
Could you develop these same thought patterns and have meaningful revelations in conversation with others? Sure.
But there is a freedom that comes with the privacy of a journal, where you do not need to be articulate, where you are able to cover topics that are incredibly nuanced and maybe even socially unacceptable, and where you do not need to fear judgment, which makes a philosophical journal incredibly impactful.
One of the earliest personal revelations that came from my own philosophical journaling was simple, but not something I think I would have realized if I were speaking to someone else, because the thoughts felt immature, almost silly.
But the result of the revelation has been such an increased understanding of my feelings that I am able to drastically improve how I regulate my behavior.
How to start a Philosophical Journal
There is no single way to start a philosophical journal of your own. I like paper and my favorite fountain pen, because it makes the process feel romantic in a way. I also find that paper and pen carry a greater value for me personally. Not only is it a relatively finite resource (notebooks end and ink runs out), but there is a permanence to the forever-stained fibers.
Hitting backspace, in comparison, is far too easy.
I would recommend that you not start with too much. Thinking is hard work, after all. Instead, set the bar as low as you can. You just need to encourage yourself to start. This could be something like writing one paragraph a week, or challenging one idea a month. Maybe you take public transport and want to devote time between specific stops to your journaling.
Be realistic and set a goal you will actually be able to meet with minimal effort.
As for what to write, that is significantly more difficult. What you write will depend on your experiences, your values, and your beliefs.
If you really do not know what to do, I recommend starting with the following format: event, emotion, analysis.
Events with the strongest emotion attached to them are often easier to analyze, but this isn’t always the case, as strong emotions may have complex origins.
Common pitfalls
Spiraling, perfectionism, and biting off more than you can chew are the three biggest pitfalls I encountered.
When you think about complex topics, which may have real-world consequences, and events that resulted in strong negative emotions, you need to be very careful that you do not spiral into endless circles of worry. This is very easy to do if you already start with some uncertainty on the topic.
There is no real solution to this, other than being very strict about moving to the next step, trying to continue your analysis.
Perfectionism is also difficult to move beyond at times.
When you have spent years going through schooling and work where you are not allowed to make mistakes, the idea of actually exploring with no clear answer is difficult. You may write without actually thinking because that is what you should write. You may try to follow a format too closely, boxing yourself in instead of truly challenging yourself.
Again, there is no solution. But, with practice, I found that I tried to sound ‘philosophical’ less and less, and that I didn’t worry so much about the way my words looked on the page. Instead, I naturally became more genuine.
A good practice is to remember that no one will read your philosophical journal. That is how you should write.
Finally, biting off more than you can chew with arbitrary commitments that you will never be able to keep up with does not motivate you, even if you set these goals with good intentions. Now that my habit is formed, I do not have many requirements for myself. But what works for you will vary depending on your life.
Final Thoughts
There is real value in creating a philosophical journal, where you can explore your thoughts on the world and your perceptions in a private, controlled environment.
Whether you want to train yourself to think critically, challenge your beliefs, or just find something to pass the time, a philosophical journal is an incredible tool to encourage thought and develop a skillset that many people are losing.
If you have a philosophical journal of your own, or you want to start one, I’d love to hear your approach, as well as some of the benefits and challenges that you encounter.
