Audio journalling: A modern approach to mental clarity

Instead of writing down thoughts and feelings, people are now recording themselves speaking into their phones

Therapy’s gone digital and journalling is no exception. A new wellness trend — audio journalling — is gaining momentum. Instead of writing down thoughts and feelings, people are now recording themselves speaking into their phones, using their voice as a form of self-reflection and release.

As mental health conversations become more mainstream, new therapeutic tools are emerging to make emotional processing more accessible(Photo: Adobe Stock)

So, what’s driving this shift from script to speech?

Changing with the times

As mental health conversations become more mainstream, new therapeutic tools are emerging to make emotional processing more accessible. “Audio journaling is simply speaking your thoughts aloud into a smartphone or a voice recorder — like a digital diary,” says clinical psychologist Dr Pulkit Sharma. While traditional journalling requires you to sit down and write, audio journalling is all about instant expression — raw, unfiltered, and spontaneous.

Why speech beats script

An increasing number of people are swapping out notebooks for voice memos. “Thoughts are often better expressed through speech. Writing can feel more formal and filtered,” explains Sharma, adding, “When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, writing may feel like a chore. Speaking, on the other hand, comes more naturally, making audio journalling more emotionally accessible.”

A welcome release