Exploring the Depths of Self-Discovery Through Journaling
I have been journaling for about six months now, and if you read nothing else in this letter but this paragraph, then know that it has made me more self-aware, calmer, more appreciative of myself, more confident in my approach, better at accepting my weaknesses, and more open to opportunities and possibilities. It has also forced me to slowly start organizing various aspects of my life, which has had a profound impact on my stress levels. For me, this truly is a game changer.
It’s a second perspective into my life—for me, from me!
What is Journaling?
Journaling is the act of reflecting on the day’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences
By writing about them in a nice notebook
Preferably with a fountain pen.
Ballpoints are OK.
In my six months of journaling every day
I have learned that the secret ingredient to a good journal is absolute honesty.
Why?
Because the journal serves as a mirror to our innermost selves, revealing insights and thoughts that may otherwise remain elusive or suppressed. Withholding, lying, changing the narrative, or anything that is not a true representation of what you think or feel will make this activity a pointless endeavor.
Be honest!
Why Journal?
If you are going to commit to this, then I think you should know what some of the claimed benefits are—you know, the ones that roped me into trying it. My experiences with them are shared for perspective.
- Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: Reflections on behavior and decision-making have brought clarity to my interactions and reactions. I have learned to pause more before responding and to delay responses or decisions when I feel my presence and awareness are not at 100%. There is a resilience that feels new to me.
- Cognitive Clarity: Three months into journaling, I started asking questions about my decision-making, behaviors, and ideas. I found it easier to link various bits of knowledge and recall learning when I wrote these questions in my journal. It’s like a search term was presented to my brain, and it did the work over a few days.
- Stress Reduction and Well-being: Around the middle of the second month, I started asking why I was stressed and exploring the variables causing it. I developed a series of routines to address them: working out at a fixed time, sleeping at a fixed time… you start to see a big change in behavior and energy.
- Goal Setting and Self-Improvement: The night before, I wrote down a list of things I wanted to accomplish the following day on that day’s page. At the end, I addressed what went right and wrong. You get better at planning the day, and you start structuring routines that become habits. My goal now is to schedule five days in advance with the routine stuff and pre-plan a few items as potential new additions.
- Creative Expression: You get good at writing—and being dramatic at times. Once you get comfortable with your journal, you will find that sometimes you vent, and eventually you get good at expressing your anger and frustration in written words. The unproductive days are the best, because you really get creative with the questioning and reasoning for the lack of productivity.
There is a resilience that feels new
When to Journal
I have tried both morning and bedtime routines, and I find that the latter is the best. My writings are more focused and inquisitive, with a tone of understanding why the day unfolded the way it did. The questioning leads to better agenda items for the morning, and the day starts off on a positive note.
The morning routine, on the other hand, felt like a chore. If the previous day had not been a good one, it carried a negative vibe into the rest of the day. Some things you force yourself to do because of anxiety, and some you do out of fear—and they become the centerpiece of the day, which is not ideal.
How to Start Journaling
- Choose Your Medium: Select a journal that resonates with you, whether it’s a traditional notebook or a digital platform. I recommend getting a notebook because it just feels more personal that way—a literary representation of you. I use a day planner.
- Establish a Routine: Set aside dedicated time each day for journaling, allowing for uninterrupted reflection and expression. As mentioned, I give myself 25 to 30 minutes before bedtime. Don’t rush it. Take your time with it.
- Write Authentically: Be honest and vulnerable in your writing, allowing your true thoughts and feelings to emerge without judgment. Otherwise, you’re not getting the full picture. Your evolution is in the details.
- Experiment and Explore: Try different journaling techniques, such as gratitude journaling, stream-of-consciousness writing, or reflective prompts, to find what resonates with you. The first month is an experiment no matter what you do, so allow yourself to explore until you discover the style that helps you open up.
Set a 1-month challenge to write every day for the next 31 days and tell me it did not spark a few changes. It will have you rethinking many aspects of your life and rethinking them for the better!
You made it to the end. That means you liked it or you’re very patient. Either way, subscribe, share, and tell your friends. I need a big network for reasons.
For moving pictures and questionable facial expressions, check out YouTube @dygres.