Why Keeping a Journal is the Key to Personal Success

Growing up, we were often told that “paper keeps no secrets.” This while we were scribbling furiously into our diaries, hoping that the lock and key would keep all our deepest darkest secrets hidden. But the truth is, as adults, we realize that paper has become one of the most supportive and open secrets to have in our lives. As we began growing up, we understood that writing things down helped us break down complex thoughts better, and helped us to sort through our emotions in a more constructive way. Journaling our thoughts has been a proven way of reducing stress, maintaining a positive outlook, and personal growth. In this article, we’ll explore the why’s and how’s of journaling, and how keeping a journal could be the key to personal success.

The Benefits Of Journaling:

Expressive Writing:

Journaling is essentially free form writing. Writing out our thoughts without any limitations can lead to breaking down complex emotions and ideas. This practice is known as expressive writing, which can shed light on how we’re truly feeling about a particular situation in our lives. Studies have shown that this practice can significantly reduce the emotional stress that comes with the issues we face daily. Writing down our thoughts on paper gives us a sense of clarity, achieving mental relaxation and helps us to grow our self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Reducing Stress Levels:

Journaling allows us to vent our frustrations and worries in a safe way – on a piece of paper that will not judge us or make us feel ashamed of our feelings. Journaling has been proven over multiple studies to reduce stress levels, promote a positive attitude, and improve overall mood.

Reflecting On Progress:

Journaling helps us maintain a steady level of focus, allowing us to form a clear mindset towards personal goals and achievements. By keeping a physical record of your thoughts, you can review entries and reflect on progress made towards your goals. This way, the incremental steps of growth become more evident and keeps us motivated to work towards our personal goals. Our journal becomes a reassuring source of progress, reminding us of how far we have come.

Creating A Personal Connection:

The thing about journaling is that it strengthens the connection we have with ourselves. Writing things down allows us to form a connection with our thoughts and our emotions. As we continue this process, we become more aware of our own behaviors, accomplishments, and things we need to improve. These personal connections lead us on the path of self-discovery, promoting personal growth and momentous self-confidence.

The How’s Of Journaling:

Making It A Habit:

The trick with journaling is to make it a habit. Schedule time in your day to write in your journal. Some prefer to write at the end of the day, while others choose to write in the morning, before starting their day. It’s important to find what works best for you! Try writing every day for the first few weeks to see how it feels. Eventually, writing in your journal will become a habit.

Consistency:

Our journals are reflections of our lives in the moment, so consistency is key. Write every day, even if only for a few minutes. Some days are better than others, but it’s important to keep a level of consistency. By doing so, it helps create a habit, and over time, it becomes easier to keep up with it.

Write What You Want:

Writing in your journal is supposed to be a form of stress-relief, not an added stressor. Write what you want to write about. No one is grading you for being a skilled writer. Your journal does not have to be a masterpiece. It’s your own personal writing oasis to say whatever you want, however you want. There’s no right or wrong here.

Tips For Successful Journaling:

Write With Intention:

Journaling with intention gives you a starting point and a sense of direction. Ask yourself why you are journaling, what do you want to accomplish through this practice? Work towards those goals as you are writing.

Make It A Ritual:

Creating rituals around writing can show your brain that this time is a moment to get grounded and present. This could be lighting a candle, a cup of coffee or tea, or even getting comfortable by sitting in your favorite spot. These simple rituals help set the tone for writing and promote consistency.

Start By Free Writing:

Start every entry with free writing. Having a blank piece of paper can be overwhelming and quiet the brain. Take a few deep breaths, put your pen to the paper and start writing whatever comes to your mind. Even if it’s just simple phrases or things that you’re grateful for. This allows your mind to loosen up, breaks down creative blocks, and gives you an outlet to write what comes from within.

Celebrate Progress:

Celebrate the progress made. Every time you complete an entry, take a moment to look back over your previous entries and see the growth that you have made. Celebrate your small wins.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the key to personal success is keeping a personal journal. Journaling not only promotes self-discovery but also reduces stress levels, promotes a positive attitude and most importantly, helps you to stay focused and on track. By making journaling a habit, consistency is formed, and it becomes easier to maintain over time. Celebrate your small wins while journaling, and be open to learning and self-discovery. By taking the time to reflect on your thoughts and emotions, you’ll find that you will be more present and connected in your everyday life. Start your journal today -because as someone once said, finding oneself is like being in a dark room and knowing that you must find a light switch. Journaling helps you to slowly, but surely find that light switch.