A Daily Journaling Habit is for Everyone, Even You

Journal for 30 days. I dare you.

On April 29th, I marked three years of journaling at least one sentence daily.

It is distantly related to the way I journal now, but still counts as journaling. I referenced my Question & Answer a Day 5-Year Journal in last week’s newsletter.

You may think a journaling habit is not for you. Maybe you tried and quit. You tell yourself:

• You’re not a writer.

• You’re not a creator.

• You’re not a deep thinker.

You’re selling yourself short. You may be all of these and more.

I didn’t consider myself any of those until I started a consistent journaling habit.

Your journal is a private space to let your thoughts land on the page just as they are. You can be you with no shame or embarrassment. You may be surprised what lands in your journal.

A conversation with yourself opens the door to the journey you want. You can discover who you are and what you want to be. Then you can create that person. Keeping a daily journal leads you down the path that takes you there.

Journaling has opened my creativity. It’s helped me see what I want to do. I credit my journaling habit with realizing the dream of starting this newsletter. When I started writing, I had no idea where I was going. Now I have a purpose and a path.

Journaling is an essential tool for mental and physical health. Your journal is a place to pour your emotions and problems. And just like a best friend, it will tell you what is good for you.

I’m more positive because I journal gratitude. I debate options to make decisions. I convince myself to take my walk, even when I don’t want to.

The more I journal, the more the benefits unfold. The same can be true for you. You don’t know how you can benefit from journaling until you try it.

A friend of mine commented on my commitment to my daily habit. I suggested they try it. Their response?

“No. I’m afraid to see my dark thoughts written down.”

What if writing those dark thoughts helped my friend understand, change their attitude, be more positive, and have fewer dark thoughts?

One of the best aspects of a journaling habit is you can journal the way you want. Journal gratitude. Journal happiness. Journal what you’re thinking. Write one sentence. Write ten.

You need to do you when you journal. Just be sure to journal daily.

Life is made of moments. Become aware of what each moment means to you. Journaling does this.

Everyone should have a daily journaling habit. I dare you to try it for 30 days.

Photo by S.G.S. Able

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good

1. What if you didn’t have to have a dark cloud hanging over you? Or dark thoughts hidden deep inside? It’s good to express your thoughts and emotions in a safe place. Journaling may be your answer. 🌞

2. As much as I believe in reflecting and dwelling on our thoughts through journaling, I agree with Socrates, who wisely said, “I know, I know nothing.” This article explains.

3. A quote reflecting my feelings about journaling: “If it’s not important, never do it. If it’s important, do it every day.” -Derek Sivers, How to Live 📅

4. A journal that lies flat when open is a good thing. I’ve written in several different journals. Three of my favorite brands are Moleskine, Artist’s Loft, and Appointed. Any journal will do. I’ve even written in half-used journals because I’ve started and stopped many times in my life. There are also journaling apps like Day One.

5. I wrote this essay on starting small with your journaling habit.

6. I enjoyed reading neurologist Oliver Sacks’ second memoir, On the Move, which covers his adult years. He started journaling when he was 14 years old. I wrote this essay on why to read his book.

7. I am grateful for my journaling habit. Even if I had never expanded beyond journaling gratitude, it would be time well spent. ✍

Thank you for reading! Do you keep a journal, or have you ever tried? Leave a comment and tell me about your experience.

I hope you have a great week. Remember, if you start a new habit, you can start small.

❤

Susan