lifestyle – immerse into media

Having my media niche fit into the realm of lifestyle, more specifically wellbeing opens me up to a lot of different ways to approach this subject. Narrowing this down however has been quite easy for me, lately I have been so intrigued by the notion and idea of journaling. When researching into journaling, it feels like a whole new world and perspective on life, both what I like to be seeing. So, through this, I made a mind map connecting journaling to different field sites.

To understand this mind map, I will talk about what a field site is. Basically a field site is not one specific place or thing, it is a range of different places, people, things, sites etc that hold any type of information or connection to a certain niche. Because we are looking at this niche in an ethnographic frame of mind, we must also understand what ethnographic research is. Let’s break it down.

Ethnographic research: “The study of the culture and social organisation of a particular group or community … Ethnography refers to both the data gathering of anthropology and the development of analysis of specific peoples, settings or ways of life.” Studying ethnographically means to truly understand one particular group, community or concept and this then involves participating or observing that specific area. The whole idea of it, is to truly understand a problem and come up with a better solution to fix this. Therefore, with my media niche circulating around journaling, I intend to begin my own personal journaling journey and truly seek its benefits. Are there any? How come they are there? Why is being in touch with your emotions so important to understanding yourself? How does one simple act create such a large impact?

Field Site: This involves anything to do with a certain area of interest. Whether that be people involved, branding, places to find it, media sites, physical and non physical places, products … anything at all. Therefore, as seen above I have narrowed down some field sites connected to journaling. I placed them into headings and branched off more specific from there. These are all places/people/products that I have found since slightly touching on researching further into the spectrum of journaling.

People who might be interested in my niche are people who have similar interests to me, such as lifestyle and wellbeing content. Not only this but people who regularly journal, no matter the form they choose to do this.

I bring a new perspective to this area of study. The reason simply being I haven’t done it before and want to and will learn as I go. I am interested in this aspect of life as I want to better my wellbeing by doing simple things daily, and it appears that journaling has a world of its own. I want to learn about this world, this community and society of people who share a common interest and see what else they have in common. Is there a negative connotation based around keeping a journal?

There are multiple articles stating the benefits of journaling on mental and physical health. These include reducing stress, improving immune functions, memory improvements, mood booster and strengthening emotional functions. This is fascinating to me, how does it help someone so much though? Well, by prioritising your problems, fears and emotions you are allowing yourself to face them properly, understand them and let them go. It also allows room for more positive self talk and that is something that is highly underrated. As our minds are constantly thinking whether we are aware of it or not, it is important that for the most part these thoughts are in a positive mood and attitude.

“Smyth’s team studied 107 people with asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. He asked half the group to write for 20 minutes a day for three days about the most stressful event they could remember. The control group was asked to write about their daily plans. Four months later, 70 people in the group that wrote about their stress showed improvement. Only 37 of the control group improved.”

All in all, furthering research in journaling with an ethnographic approach appears, to me, to be the best way to truly understand this niche and try solve the stigma around ‘keeping a journal is for 12 year old girls’.

Stay True, R.

[Edit 03 September 2020 below]

References

Calhoun, C. J. (2002). Dictionary of the social sciences. New York: Oxford University Press viewed 14 August 2020

Unknown, 2020, ‘Fieldsite’, viewed 14 August 2020 < https://www.yourdictionary.com/fieldsite#:~:text=(plural%20fieldsites),where%20fieldwork%20is%20carried%20out. >

Leo, 2018, ‘The 17 Different Types of Journals that will Keep your Life Organised’, viewed 14 August 2020, < https://www.jofelo.com/17-different-types-of-journals-to-keep/ >

Bailey, K, 2018, 5 Powerful Health Benefits of Journaling, viewed 14 August 2020, < https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2018/07/5-powerful-health-benefits-of-journaling/ >

Watson, R, 2020, ‘Journaling for Mental Health’, viewed 14 August 2020, < https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1#:~:text=Journaling%20helps%20control%20your%20symptoms,and%20identifying%20negative%20thoughts%20and >

Hartwell-Walker, M, 2018, ‘Writing for Health, viewed 14 August 2020, < https://psychcentral.com/lib/writing-for-health/ >

My media niche is health and lifestyle vloggers, influencers or Youtuber’s.

When I say health and lifestyle, I specifically mean individuals who are ‘well-known’ for vlogging their day to day life, their health and fitness journey and even their mental wellbeing. Examples of the individuals I follow and watch are Sarah’s Day, Chelsea Rocca, Charlotte Freeman and Tayla Damir. These individuals all have something in common, they live each day trying to improve their mental and physical state and that is something that highly intrigues me.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAHufvd02viJSRdt3ojdPOg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWSksWN12Y997XdmcqVrQTg

However, when it comes to my ‘personal media niche’ mental wellbeing is what interests me most. Having a focused and positive mindset is something that every individual struggles with throughout their life and so with my media niche, I want to focus on mental wellbeing and how to maintain it as such. I would like to do this by experimenting with journaling.

In the past, I have never been one to journal religiously. I always thought it was for people with big secrets who wanted to talk about their day or someone who has a big crush. Nonetheless, research has proven that journaling increases ones mental health. I want to learn about journaling and help others learn about it too. Find out the truths, deception and most importantly the outcomes of being someone who regularly journals.

“Journaling is simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.” When researching into the benefits of journaling, the outcomes seem to be tremendous. Controlling and understanding your feelings, finding your sense of self and lessening mental disorder symptoms such as anxiety and depression. “It can make us more aware and help us detect sneaky, unhealthy patterns in our thoughts and behaviours.” This then makes us more aware of our life and enhancing our ability to control our quality of life.

https://www.blessingmanifesting.com/2018/07/12-journaling-prompts-for-mental-health.html

Journaling appears to be its own culture and experience away from any other. There are all different types of journaling such as bullet journaling, food, travel, dream, writing and many more. All of which seem to have a positive outcome. Hayley Phelan states in a New York Times article that journaling is one of the best ways for self-care and also one of the cheapest. Setting aside 5 – 15 minutes a day to journal, ask yourself hard hitting questions, google journal prompts or writing about how you felt that day has proven to enhance thousands of individuals mental wellbeing. It is genuinely helping people.

Writing your feelings, asking yourself specific questions and writing down the answer can enhance your mental wellbeing? Count me in.

I intend to explore this in detail through extensive primary and secondary research. Instead of just finding articles and blogs about the benefits of journaling – which I will do – I will also begin to regularly journal and see where my journaling journey takes me. I have stumbled across a business named The Routine, who promotes healthy mental wellbeing. I intend to follow their ‘Questions for Myself’ journal and see if it benefits me in any way. Journaling may not be for everyone, but I feel it is relevant as it is something so simple and small that seems to have a large positive impact on self-care.

Therefore, my personal media niche is lifestyle and promoting a healthy living style.

Stay True, R.

[Edit 03 September 2020 below]

References

Watson, R, 2020, ‘Journaling for Mental Health’, viewed 5th August 2020, < https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1 >

Ackerman, C, 2020, ’83 Benefits of Journaling for Depression, Anxiety and Stress’ viewed 5th August 2020, < https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/ >

Leo, 2018, ‘The 17 Different Types of Journals That Will Keep Your Life Organised’, viewed 5th August 2020, < https://www.jofelo.com/17-different-types-of-journals-to-keep/ >

Phelan, H, 2018, ‘What’s All This About Journaling?’, viewed 5th August 2020, < https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/style/journaling-benefits.html >

Tag: lifestyle

My Media Niche