Does having a clearer head, feeling more focused and in control sound good to you? You should be journaling.

2020 Is Fast Approaching

I know you’re thinking about your 2020 New Year’s Resolutions.

You’re a planner.  You think ahead about these things.

I’ve got a goal that will change every other aspect of your life.  It will affect how successful you are at all of the other resolutions you set.

Why? 

#1: You have to be accountable to yourself when you check in every day.

#2: When you keep promises to yourself you deepen your self-esteem.

What goal could you set that will do this? Hmmm… I wonder?

The King of All Goals

Journaling of course!

Writing in a journal every day, or at least 3 days a week, has so many benefits.  Just for the fact that it will keep you accountable for every other goal that you set.

I love that.

Some of the other benefits I have found from journaling are worth mentioning as well.

CLEARER HEAD

In an article on Lifehack, Ericson Ay Mires writes:

“If there’s one thing journal writing is good for, it’s clearing the mental clutter.

How does it work? Simply, whenever you have a problem and write about it in a journal, you transfer the problem from your head to the paper. This empties the mind, allowing allocation of precious resources to problem-solving rather than problem-storing.”

Isn’t that fantastic!!!

I am a pro at problem-STORING.  (I’m actually in love with that term. I’d never heard it before.)

I have noticed the hugest difference with the amount I store since I started journaling.  I am able to get those problems out and clear more room in my head for more uplifting and exciting things.

MORE FOCUSED/IN CONTROL

When I’m trying to decide between all the different ways I can use my time, journaling has become an invaluable way to hash out the pros and cons.

When I write it out, I find out what I really believe.  I can cut through all the outside influences that don’t really ring true to me.

I’m backed-up in this thought by Mr. Mires again:

“By journaling about what you believe in, why you believe it, how you feel, and what your goals are, you understand your relationships with these things better. This is because you must sort through the mental clutter and provide details on why you do what you do and feel what you feel.”

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Jackee Holder in Psychologies magazine says:

“Your journal has the potential to be both therapist and a dear friend who listens without judging or interrupting and is open 24 hours a day. You can tell your journal things you wouldn’t dare verbalise to someone else. Writing it down takes the edge off more toxic feelings and emotions and helps you better understand what you’re feeling, freeing up thinking space to gain clarity on what to do next.”

When I read this I felt validated in what I’ve been “preaching” for the past year. 

I love the time I get to talk to my dearest friend as I write in my journal.  She understands me better than anyone else PLUS, I don’t have to rehash my childhood.  She’s been there, done that.

There is so much more that I could share about journaling. 

Let’s save that for another day, wha’d ya say?

How about you weigh in and share why you love to journal!  Leave me a comment below!