Wreflect

Introduction

Research

User Interviews

Journaling has long since been proven to help with anxiety/stress, emotional confusion, lack of focus, memory retention, and creative slumps. That said, to get a better sense of how journaling is being used in the real world, I interviewed 6 people who have experience in dealing with the stated emotional challenges. I did not probe into if and how they are journaling, but moreso how their emotions play a role in their day-to-day, and how journaling might be able to fit into that.

Interview Insights

To my surprise, each of my 6 interviewees had either a negative or neutral perception of journaling. Something that has brought me so much positive help was seemingly a chore to others. To better understand this contrast as to why it’s benefited me so much but not for others, I did some extra secondary research on the topic itself.

Guided vs unguided chats

In a published research study done in collaboration between the University of Washington and Northwestern University, research was done to find forms of talk therapy to aid mental health. Titled “Suddenly, we got to become therapists for each other”, researchers found two forms of chats that helped reduce anxiety, guided and unguided chats.

In relation to writing for the self via journaling, I thought this idea of guided and unguided chatting can be adopted.

That black squiggly in the center strikes the balance of guided and unguided writing that can provide solutions and new perspectives while still being lighthearted and emotionally smooth.

Keys to Effective Journaling

Professor James Pennebaker, an American social psychologist, professor, and strong advocate for journaling, states a few keys to effective journaling. Those keys can be boiled down into: be intentional and write less.

Ideation

Userflow

Stylescape

Hi-fi design