Author Of “Diary Of An Angry Girl” Hopes To Encourage Journaling.

Author Nomalungelo Majola, recently published her second book Diary of an Angry Girl. Much like her first book, How I Almost Killed Myself, she’s determined to bring awareness to mental health issues. This time she focuses on teens and how important it is for them to express themselves. Diary of an Angry Girl follows a teenage girl who starts journaling. Readers are able to unfold a story of pain and growth through this young girl’s diary entries. When asked what inspired her second book, Majola says, “The idea for this book came when I learned about the suicide rate among teens and the pain they had to face in their everyday lives. My heart ached as I read and witnessed depression being a silent killer among teens.”

Majola expressed her concern about the pressure teens face because social media projects a perfect life that they believe they need to obtain. Majola explains who she hopes to reach with her new release, “I hope people on the journey to discovering their own voice and those who have found it and want to continue listening to it find my new book helpful, more importantly women. The story might be about a young girl but women can also learn the importance of being in tune with their own feelings in the midst of challenges. It’s also for people transitioning into finding themselves.”

Through Diary of an Angry Girl, Majola hopes to encourage others to start writing in a diary or journaling. She’s passionate about journaling, stating “Journaling serves as one of the best ways to learn about ourselves. It helps us understand how we feel, which is so important because when we understand how we feel, we understand who we are. And when we understand who we are, it’s easier to love who we are.” Journaling and writing saved Majola’s life, her first book, How I Almost Killed Myself, explained in great detail how she overcame bullying and the negative affects it once had on her mental health. Majola tells Life On The Up, “Journaling has introduced me to a part of myself that I did not know existed. It helped me recognize who I was through expression and my own words. Journaling has helped me discover past pain that I did not know was there.”

Let’s face it, we’re harder on ourselves now more than ever because of social media and FOMO (fear of missing out). We lose ourselves when all we’re worried about is keeping up and making our lives look perfect. In essence, Diary of an Angry Girl shows what happens when we step away from that pressure and instead get in touch with our true selves, not the image we portray online. But it’s easier said than done. Journaling requires discipline. And Though she credits journaling with so many great breakthroughs in her life, Majola states, “Recently I had to remind myself that I do not journal to find what is wrong with me or to list my shortcomings. It’s about understanding and expressing myself. It’s about finding a unique way to relate to yourself.” She continued, “Sometimes we have to introduce ourselves to ourselves, if that makes sense. Time spent understanding yourself is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves.”

Obviously she is very passionate about writing and expressing herself. It has helped her through so many rough times in her life, much like the main character in her new book. She hopes that others can discover journaling and how important it can be for your mental health.

If you’re overwhelmed with the idea of journaling, Psychology Today claims, “…there is no “wrong” way to do it. You can even have fun journaling. Journaling is all about dumping that stuff floating around in your head and then being able to walk away from it. By externalizing your thoughts and feelings through journaling, you tend to have less to “carry around” psychologically. Your brain will thank you. Journaling also gives you the unique ability to look back and see how much you have grown, both emotionally and spiritually.”

If you’d like to purchase Mojola’s new book, Diary of an Angry Girl, is available on SMODÈ PUBLICATIONS’ website.

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**If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression or any mental health related issue, please seek help. Please speak to your doctor, a therapist, family member or friend. You can also reach out to SAMHSA National Helpline for more information.