I'm not like that! Am I?

Take Pen to Paper: Edtion 49 - How you see yourself may not be accurate. Ask the hard questions.

We have stories that inform what we believe of ourselves and influence our words and actions.

These stories are made of what others tell us and what we tell ourselves.

Are these stories accurate?

This is one of the surprising aspects of journaling. It allows you to explore what’s really inside. I learned this early in my journaling adventure.

I challenged myself to journal gratitude.

Participating in a writing cohort proved I could be a daily writer. What did I have to lose expanding my writing by keeping a gratitude journal for 30 days?

I was defiant about journaling gratitude. Surprised? Call it defiance or stubbornness; we all have a little streak of “That doesn’t apply to me” in us. I thought journaling gratitude couldn’t possibly change me. I was already a cheerful, positive person.

Or so I thought.

After 30 days, I was more positive. I began to look for the good around me and try to be a source of good for others to be grateful for.

My actions and words changed!

Instead of complaining, I shook off the negative I couldn’t control. If the data-based system at work was down, I moved on to something I could do.

I started rephrasing my sentences to exclude “not” contractions. Instead of “Don’t do …” I thought and spoke in terms of “Let’s do…”

People noticed the change in me and let me know.

That was over two years ago. Now, I’ve expanded my journaling beyond gratitude.

The benefits of journaling have expanded as well.

A few samples are:

• I’ve made many surprising discoveries, like how I really wanted to start a newsletter and the best ‘why’ to motivate my exercise routine.

• I can vent in my journal, so my response is professional when I respond to an offensive email. (That’s a tale for another day.)

• It helps me answer hard questions like, do I really speak to some adults like they are children? (There’s no excuse, but I did teach at the elementary level for 41 years. Children were everywhere.) And, am I as kind and thoughtful as I think I am? (That’s in my June 8th newsletter.)

So, the defiant journaler in me has changed.

For a long time, the story I told myself was based on thinking I was a happy, positive person. The people I hung around reinforced that point of view. They judged me on brief interactions and never asked me questions to probe for more.

Journaling has helped me ask questions of myself. I look deeper, ask questions, and discover honest answers. I know I’m not perfect. I have things to work on. My journal is a safe place.

Now, I’m a huge proponent of journaling. Everyone should adopt a journaling habit because of the benefits. Yes, even you.

Give it a thirty-day trial run, and tell me what you think.

I am standing in a mirror sculpture. Photo by S.G.S. Abel

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good

1. While visiting the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in New Orleans’ City Park (highly recommended). I couldn’t resist taking a selfie in the mirror sculpture. What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror? 🕵️‍♀️

2. There is no escaping the voice in our head. We all have one, don’t we? I found this 30-minute podcast about how we talk to ourselves fascinating. It’s worth a listen. 🧠

3. After listening to the podcast, you may think, “I need a way to talk to myself.” If you don’t have that voice in your head, journaling may be the key. ✍

4. I’m grateful for the realization that I need to change, even if it comes with some brutal truths.

5. I’m grateful for the understanding that I am a work in progress and there will always be more to do to be better.

6. A quote: “Everyone belongs to a tribe and underestimates how influential that tribe is on their thinking.” - Morgan Housel

7. I have my very own website! It’s a simple page with links to my writing (this newsletter!) and the other places where I share the good stuff. Take a peek! https://takepentopaper.com/.

Are you a journaler? If so, I would love to hear your strategy for journaling.

Do you want to start journaling? I can help. Either way, leave a comment and let me know. I would love to know what you think.

Thank you for reading!

I hope you join me again next week.

❤

Susan

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