So we’re all stuck in the same boat; quarantined and locked down. Reeling from the impact this has had on me, I’ve taken the opportunity to write about my thoughts. To take that brave step and jump off into the deep abyss that is my mind. I’ve started journaling again.
From Anais Nin to Mark Twain, from Marcus Aurelius to Anne Frank, journaling has been a useful tool for many. The value of a piece of paper is often determined by what’s written on it, and for these men and women, it was invaluable. Proof of this value is evident in the fact that so many of history’s journals have survived today. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is one of the most widely published works on stoicism; a book that gives insight into a Roman Emperor’s daily life. Another famous piece is The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, who, at the age of thirteen, lets us into her mind and her life as a Jewish refugee.
However, a journal doesn’t have to be some piece of impressive art or literature. It can be a release or a commonplace book for knowledge, thoughts and emotions, a therapy session or even just a logbook. The point is, there are no rules. It can be what you want it to be.
Benefits from a piece of paper
Clear your mind and organize your thoughts.
Now, let me ask you, can you name five things that make you really happy? If you’ve got an answer to that, fair enough, well done. However, if you don’t, and are confused or are mumbling it out, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Most of us live our lives with a vague identity, constantly in flux, perpetually going through the motions.
The ritual that is journaling aims to change that. By deconstructing your life and penning down your thoughts, you gain clarity and awareness. It’s a tool that helps you understand what works and what doesn’t. More importantly, it allows you to move forward with the understanding that life isn’t supposed to be a blur, but a deliberate act of resilience.
To seek clarity, get to know yourself. Ask yourself what matters and what’s important to you. A clouded mind is hesitant, almost unconscious in a way. Break that bubble and be proactive. Allow yourself this time to heal and understand, to begin to add texture and clarity to your remarkable life.
A release for destructive/low-energy emotions.
Life is a rollercoaster. And as clichéd as that might sound, it is undeniably true. The world moves fast and can sweep us off our feet. We get frustrated waiting in line for groceries, angry if someone successfully cuts the queue and lonely while isolating at home, away from our loved ones. It’s the small things that pile on and overwhelm us.
The point is, it isn’t always easy to deal with these emotions in our heads. More often than not, we prefer to push these thoughts to the back of our minds without processing them fully. By repressing these feelings, we fail to truly feel.
The result of all of this is that we’re then stuck reliving the past. “If only I knew better” or “I wish I had worked harder” are some of the things we tell ourselves.
Write down whatever it is that you’re feeling about the moment. Sad about a break-up? Write it down. Dealing with a loss? Write it down. Frustrated with work? Well, write it down!
Trust the process and feel better. Release, confront and move forward with grace. Allow yourself the space to acknowledge the fact that you are human. Allow yourself to feel.
A way to relive your past and foster hope.
The past can serve up quite the dose of pain in the form of trauma and repressed memories. It also offers one of life’s most valuable lessons. Writing down your state of mind whilst reliving your past can bolster you going forward. It can help you heal through the trauma and process the negativity.
Adversity drives growth. You may be struggling for confidence, but writing down affirmations and aphorisms in your journal will boost your confidence. The problems that you’re dealing with might have no end in sight. It may seem like they just keep piling on and on, forever. It is here that true growth takes place. By accepting our adversity, we grow and move forward.
Write down possible solutions to these problems. Write down what you would wish to see happen in your life. This line of thought combined with lessons from past experiences will offer a fresh perspective. One that represents hope and a brighter future.
A journal is your lesson from the past and the portal to your future.
How to Start Journaling
Those are but a few of the many benefits of this multipurpose tool. I’m pretty sure the question that’s burning inside of you is “Well, how do I even start?”
Journaling is a truly personal experience. It is by you, and for you. These are your thoughts and emotions, your routines and logs. It’s your life. There are no rules. Those are thrown out the window before you open a book to write into.
However, these are a few tips to get you moving.
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Start Small
Big goals often start with small habits. Create a habit to write one single line about your day. Reflect on that one conversation you had or that one thought that’s been bugging you. Write about who or what you’re thinking about. It truly is a deep dive into your mind. As you move forward, you could spare 5 minutes in the morning to prepare for your day like Tim Ferris does, or do it in the evening as a daily review like Seneca.
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Track your day or use it as a log
Bullet Journaling or BuJo is perfect for tracking your progress through a task or your goals for a day. It is a form of journaling stripped down for minimalists and to keep track of essentials. You could use it to track your diet, your sleep schedule or routine, your workout reps, your miles around the track and much more. The BuJo methodology was created by Ryder Carroll, an ADD -riddled digital product designer based in New York. Determined to improve his productivity levels, he committed years to figure out a way to work with his scattered mind. He calls it a ‘mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system’. Combined with a more descriptive form in another book, the knowledge gained is immense. It’s an activity where you learn to pick and choose what works and avoid what doesn’t.
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Use it to practice gratitude and re-affirm yourself
Hedonic adaptation is an intrinsic survival instinct. It forces us to adapt to our surroundings, and helps us survive. On the flipside, it makes us take for granted that which we are blessed and lucky to have. It is human nature to grow complacent. Good times make us soft. It is therefore imperative to remain humble and check our privilege. Practicing deliberate gratitude helps us achieve this. Taking the time out to appreciate what you have is a great way to build that gratitude muscle and stay grounded. You could be grateful for your voice, for your perfect eyesight in a world filled with glaucoma or a roof over your head in a world plagued by homelessness. Writing about it can make this a truly visceral experience.
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Enhance learning
You could keep a journal just for jotting down ideas, plans or to write about what you’ve learned from the world around you. It could be filled with quotes, your worldview, lessons from a seminar and so much more. One great example is Da Vinci’s journals filled with diagrams of mechanical inventions and insights. This enhances your ability to learn, your curiosity and your sustainability.
Finally, journaling can be a great tool if used well. It will act as your launching pad to greatness or better health. It can feel like an obligation at times, but that’s okay. Start small and stay curious about yourself. Write about your remarkably colorful life; one word at a time. You may feel doubt and fear, even some anxiety before starting out. That’s normal and it’s okay to feel that way.
Maybe write about it?
Additional journaling resources