Diaries, journals, and personal notebooks have always had a way of keeping our deepest and purest insight safely protected. From a young age, many of us learn the value of having a go-to place where we can give our thoughts, dreams, heartbreaks, and goals a home to live and reflect on as time passes. But as the act of “oversharing” had crept its way into a normalized form of expression, the art of privacy and venting with discretion is in need of a makeover.
Thankfully, people are now tapping into a new way to vent without tweeting or sending subliminal messages through memes — enter audio journaling.
What Is Audio Journaling?
Audio journaling is a form of self-expression and self-reflection where individuals record their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and insights using audio recordings. This alternative to traditional written journaling allows individuals to capture the train of thought of their ideas, emotions, and experiences by simply pressing ‘record’ on their phones. And from the looks of it, the internet is catching on.
The trend itself had reached over 2.8 billion views on TikTok, making audio journaling the best — and most efficient — way to get your thoughts out of your mind and into a digital keepsake.
Is Audio Journaling Effective?
With one benefit of voice journaling serving as therapy on the go, many audio diary keepers are finding that the flow of talking their thoughts out comes with more ease than jotting them down in a notebook. This form of verbal emoting can contribute to one’s personal growth, heightened self-awareness, and overall sense of clarity.
When we speak out loud about our inner thoughts and emotions, it can serve as a form of catharsis, helping us to release pent-up feelings, reduce stress, and provide a sense of comfort and relief.
Audio Journaling vs. Writing
Many people may find that when writing, our thoughts can move faster than our pen can keep up with, which makes these recordings a more efficient way to process your inner monologue or even prevent a downward spiral before it can take form.
Reaching for your recorder before grabbing a pen and paper also allows you to document your creative sparks and ideas before a distraction pulls you away from them. When we verbalize our thoughts, we’re helping ourselves process complex concepts and gain insights that we might not have discovered through traditional journaling. Our words allow us to connect the dots and can even lead to "a-ha" moments for expansion.
Not to mention, audio journaling encourages us to be in the present moment as we articulate our thoughts. This mindfulness can help you cultivate a greater sense of awareness and improve your ability to focus and take a moment to check in with yourself during life’s most stressful and busy moments.
If you’re looking to try audio journaling, here are a few things to consider.
How Do You Make an Audio Journal?
Say It With Your Chest:
The beauty of audio journaling is that there’s no need to filter yourself. Your tone, your emotional state, and your passion all matter when verbalizing your thoughts, so don’t hold back. This is your space to be as open and honest as you’d like to be with yourself. Speak freely, and don’t worry about saying everything perfectly. Just allow you and your thoughts to flow.
Listen, Learn, Reflect:
Remember, these recordings are there to be a source of insight into your personal thoughts and ideas. Be sure to check in to your previous recordings from time to time, as they can provide valuable insights into your thought patterns, emotional growth, and progress over time. Learn from your past and present self.
Press Record:
Sometimes, it can be intimidating to start a new self-care practice because we might feel like we need to have the “perfect” setup in order to get started. But with audio journaling, your thoughts — no matter where or how they happen — is the perfect starting place. All you have to do is hit record.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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How Power Women Protect Their Finances With Smart Money Boundaries
No matter what it is, setting boundaries can be challenging, especially when those boundaries involve money. But if you want to sustain success and financial freedom, boundaries are important, both with yourself and with others.
Many wealthy successful women have mastered setting boundaries and prioritizing accountability so that they can ensure they remain that way. Let's face it: If you want a certain quality of life and you work hard to achieve that, you don't want to risk it by taking on habits that jeopardize your financial stability.
Be inspired to not only set money boundaries but keep them by taking heed to the common financial boundaries power women of today establish:
1. They pay themselves first.
Building consistent savings habits is important to wealth-building no matter how much you earn, and the practice is often one that continues even after you're well-booked and well-paid. Actress, producer, and philanthropist Queen Latifah has always been a proponent of this after learning from her mom to "save your money."
This is the epitome of the energy behind paying yourself first. You squirrel something away and take care of yourself by taking care of your future first, before paying any bills. You invest in yourself (within your means and with a budget in mind, of course).
2. They don't loan money without clear repayment rules and expectations are agreed upon.
It's awesome to be able to help people out by loaning them money, but when you don't communicate clearly about repayment (or what will happen if the money is not repaid) you set yourself up for a cycle of taking on other's debts and maybe even building more debt of your own.
Unless you're doing charity, set those boundaries early about when and how a loan will be repaid. And if you know you won't get the money back, rethink the loan altogether.
3. They create budgets that are realistic and reflect their current lifestyle.
In her book, What I Know for Sure, Oprah Winfrey wrote, “I hope the way you spend your money is in line with the truth of who you are and what you care about.” This is key for many successful women, especially when they're budgeting and investing.
Issa Rae told Money.com, "I don’t splurge just because. I will never have 17 cars. I will never have expensive jewelry. I don’t spend that much on my clothes, or shoes. I will spend money on a stylist, and a makeup artist, because those things feel necessary for work. But material things? No."
There's a clear indication that there are clear value systems sustained by what matters to them no matter how much they make, and budgeting is a huge part of that.
4. They consider the long-term effects of a rash purchase before proceeding.
It's totally okay to treat yourself, but if you find yourself impulsively buying things you don't really need or always living check to check because you've maxed out your credit card to take that sixth trip in one year, there's a problem that might put a damper on those financial freedom plans. (That is unless your trip is part of how you make your money, and it's a worthy investment into expanding your prospects.)
Successful women are conscious of the long- and short-term effects of purchases, small and large. They're always thinking about how one action can impact the bigger picture.
5. They are givers and believe in the reciprocity of that.
Many of us are familiar with the famous quote, "To whom much is given, must is required," and there's that undertone of service and charity that is a common thread for wealthy, successful women, especially those who run businesses or lead brands. Involving yourself in acts of service not only enriches your development and that of communities, but it increases your exposure, network, and credibility, often leading to more opportunities to make more money.
Most leading CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals are big on giving back, whether it is through resources, a nonprofit, money, or their time. "As you become more successful, it's important for you to give back. Even if you can't financially give back, kind words and sharing about other businesses on social media mean so much. Every little thing counts. Help out your friends and family with advice, encouragement, and support," said Angela Yee, award-winning radio host and entrepreneur.
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Originally published on August 16, 2024