Have you ever found something that helps calm your mind when everything feels so overwhelming? What brings you comfort and peace? Have you tried journaling– where you can spill your thoughts and clear your mind– or watching a Studio Ghibli film, where the animation feels like a warm hug? There’s something about combining both that feels like the perfect way to reflect and take a moment to breathe.  

Just as Ghibli’s animations provide a break from the noise of the world, journaling offers a quiet and mindful escape– a way to hold onto creativity and inner peace amidst the rush of technologies. Both act as gentle reminders to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. 

So, if you’re curious about how these two can help you find some peace, keep reading– you won’t want to miss this. 

Reflection through animation 

Studio Ghibli has become a source of comfort, inspiration, and peace of mind for many, offering emotionally-depth films with hand-drawn animation. If you love Japanese cinema or simply appreciate creative storytelling, you’ll find peace in Studio Ghibli’s films. Even if you’re unfamiliar with it, Ghibli’s ability to calm a mind makes it perfect for anyone who wants a sense of peace and emotional connection.

With its palette of warm and soft colors, beautiful landscapes, and characters on their own stories of self-discovery and healing– much like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro– their films draws viewers in, making them feel deep emotional connections for reflections, and a sense of calm that it intends to deliver. 

Imagine the shock of learning that Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn animations are being recreated by Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) tools, and that this trend is becoming more popular. While AI is praised for its convenience and the nostalgic feel it brings to Ghibli-like animations, critics worry that it may signal the loss of human creativity. 

Emotional release through journaling

Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a great way to calm both your mind and heart. Simply transferring your frustrations and overwhelming thoughts on a paper can bring a sense of lightness and improve your mood. Research has also shown that journaling can help us accept, rather than judge, our mental experiences, leading to fewer negative emotions. 

By journaling regularly, it can result in a healthier mindset, reduced negative emotions, and increased emotional resilience. Over time, this habit can lead to greater self-awareness and inner peace. 

Below are some of the benefits of journaling:

#1: Self-confidence

Organizing your thoughts through journaling can reduce anxiety. This not only makes you more understanding of your emotions but also encourages you to be kinder to yourself. This can improve your overall relationship with yourself. 

#2: Makes you even more creative 

Journaling helps channel your creativity, serving as an outlet for self-expression. As you grow more comfortable with writing, you’ll find yourself writing more often, organizing your thoughts or ideas like life goals that suddenly come to mind. 

#3: Improves memory

Handwritten journaling is an effective way to improve your memory. As you write things down, you’re not only recording them but also reading and reinforcing them in your mind. This helps you recall important thoughts or experiences more easily.

#4: Enhanced communication and writing skills

Journaling helps organize your thoughts, which in turn can improve both your verbal and written communication skills. As you practice writing, you’ll notice an improvement in your vocabulary. This connection between writing and speaking enhances your ability to express yourself more effectively. 

Finding peace in journaling and Ghibli

Journaling and watching Studio Ghibli’s comforting films can be used for calming our thoughts and reflecting on life. Both encourage personal emotional growth and mindfulness. They rely on human involvement, as it is our unique experiences that makes our pieces meaningful and full of emotions. Through these activities, we connect with our inner selves and find comfort in the stories and reflections they offer. 

Combining journaling and Ghibli for personal peace

One way to combine these two is to reflect on your favorite Ghibli films. Many of these films explore themes of growth, self-discovery, and healing, making them your source of reflection for your own life experiences. You can write about the characters, the theme, or simply how the film made you feel. Relating these elements to your personal experiences can help you process your emotions meaningfully.

After watching the film, you can take a few moments to reflect by asking yourself some questions about the emotions that you felt during the film. This routine is for mindfulness and emotional release. 

At the end of the day, nothing can replace the creativity pulled from a person’s own experiences and emotions. Using self-reflection, whether through journaling or watching Studio Ghibli films, helps nurture your peace of mind and emotional well-being. Always remember, the human touch– our personal feelings– remains irreplaceable.