By Pham Tran
A journal or a diary is like a chest where your most treasurable memories or deepest secrets are safely kept.
“It is a reflection of your mind and a companion you can reach out for if you don’t have anyone else to talk to,” senior Mae Oster, President of the Journal and Jam club, said.
Journal and Jam was created to encourage the use of and introduce a variety of journaling techniques to students. Just as the club name implies, it fosters a sense of closeness and community where students can come together to “journal” while “jamming” to the music being played.
As a long-time journaling expert, Oster finds journaling to be a way to express and gain a better understanding of herself through paper and pen, along with many other fun and decorative elements that can be incorporated.
“I usually do junk journaling, which is like getting random things from your day-to-day life and putting them in your journal. It’s fun,” Oster said. “I also do a lot of diary and reflective writing because I found that I’m better at expressing myself through writing than talking.”
Oster understands that many students can’t always tell their worries or secrets to family and friends. Therefore, journaling can be a way to improve your mental health. As you dump your feelings in and release the inner thoughts, no matter how unacceptable they may seem, along with the pretty decorated pages, the thoughts become less “ugly.”
Journal and Jam plans to collaborate with organizations on campus this year, such as the Wellness Center, to enhance students’ mental health through journaling, which is a key goal of the club. They also look forward to hosting plenty of other activities, including workshops, volunteering and fun giveaways.
“I’m planning to [host workshops] at the Huntington Beach Public Library if [the staff] allow us,” Oster said. “Workshops will also extend to the community and not just to [our] school, because we want everyone to be able to experience [journaling].”
And just like Journal and Jam believes, journaling can be about anything and is for everyone. So as the stressful academic year approaches, students at Fountain Valley High School now have another club on their list to participate in and have fun in their free time and, most importantly, start journaling.
