What is journaling? For me journaling is my own solitude. I write about how I feel each day, what my main thoughts are, potential ideas I want to implement and goals that I want to achieve. Sometimes it could just be a summary in how my day goes. My journaling is always positive. I only put good feelings of gratitude and what went well into it. If I do have a bad day I just write about my learnings from the experience and how can I improve. I don’t focus on negatives. It is a waste of time and energy for me.
I started journaling from 1st January 2016 and I have been doing daily journaling ever since. For me journaling every day is when I get to reflect with my internal self. It has done me the world of good and because of it I have been better at trusting my own intuition. In 2016, my journaling was more of a summary of my days and simple things I would do. Before journaling I never examined my thoughts, inner self, never challenged my own views and beliefs. From 2017 to now my journaling has been a mixture of setting goals, exploring my ideas with creativity, the relationship I have with myself and others. I also check in with how I feel regularly and the emotions I experience each day. My journaling has reflected my own personal development and the growth I have experienced these past few years. Journaling has been one of the best investments in myself and has guided me to where I am now.
As mentioned, journaling has become a daily habit. I keep a diary and other notepads which expresses a lot of how I feel. I use my journaling for brainstorming, exploring new opportunities and asking internal questions regularly around my ‘Who’, ‘Why’ and ‘What’. My journaling is personal. I don’t share my diaries and notepads with anyone. Journaling helps me when difficult decisions need to be made. The answer will be right in front of me and the clarity I am looking for. Trying to process everything in my head can be very overwhelming or stressful. I find it easier to figure out what I want once I have it out on a page. Journaling has improved my personal life, both personal and professional relationships and coaching business. There are no rules for journaling. You can write whatever you want and choose when to write. It can be a daily, weekly or monthly routine.
Journaling does require discipline and does take time to develop as a habit. I have a few tips that might help with getting into a routine of journaling. I would first suggest, to find your preferred way of journaling. It can be writing in a diary, electronic format or recording yourself. Second, start small and aim for 5-15 minutes a day and try to have a schedule time for it. It is a habit you’re looking to build and the more times you journal the more it will become part of your life. Third, I would find a quiet place for you to do your journaling so there are no distractions. You can be alone and in time become comfortable with how you feel with your thoughts and emotions. Express them in a way that represents your authentic self. Fourth, just be honest with your journaling and there is no right or wrong answer. Lastly, aim for consistency and enjoy your journaling, Overtime you will see the positives and will be on the path towards living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Just give journaling some time and you will see the benefits of it when you are able to find your own way of expressing yourself. Journaling can be a good if you want to check how you felt back in the past and looking at certain events or moments that happened in your life. Journaling can help you to learn from your mistakes and to improve yourself.
If you do decide to journal, do it for fun, enjoy each day of it and you will develop as a person as time goes on. Journaling will help you gain clarity you are looking for and can help guide you towards your life purpose.