Journaling; A tool for Self-Development?

What comes to your mind when I say, “Journaling”?

School assignments that require us to start our diary entries with, “Dear Diary,”? A task that you’re just too lazy to do?

Until last year I was convinced that journaling was just an assignment counselor gave to those students who were too hard to deal with (courtesy, the various movies I have watched). But over time, I realized the real importance of journaling, and how it isn’t just a medium of torture for students. I dug deep into the science behind journaling and researched the right way to journal, why it’s done, how often one should do it, and other frequently asked questions.

I promised myself I’d journal every night.

In the beginning, I often forgot to do it, but soon enough, before I could realize it, I found myself with a pen and my journal every morning. Trust me when I say this, journaling is the EASIEST form of self-improvement.

Here’s why:

1. Journaling every day helps you remember things better. If you choose to journal at night, you’d probably write about all the events that took place that day and how they impacted you. On the other hand, if you journal in the morning you could recall the previous day’s events and repeat the process.

2. Setting goals. A huge part of journaling is manifesting and I don’t mean lighting candles in your room, or chanting uncanny mantras but to simply write your goals on a piece of paper every morning. They could be as small and easy as cleaning your room to even doing the laundry. Writing down your goals signals your brain that these things are important and you subconsciously gravitate towards them, hence you are more likely to achieve your daily goals.

Large affirmations like, performing well in your exams or getting into your dream college are also stored in the back of your head, which is why you tend to work towards those goals without even realizing it!

3. It’s Healing. Say you’ve had a hard day and just don’t feel like talking about it. That’s where journaling comes in. When you vent your feelings through the ink on the paper you realize what you’re actually going through. At the end of the day, you are the only one who can help yourself. Writing down your sorrows or problems no matter how complicated gives you a perspective that no one else can.

There isn’t a specific method to journaling. Whatever helps you grow is the right method. Keeping that in mind, it’s crucial to take baby steps and maintain consistency. You can’t expect to feel better right after your first entry.

I can assure you though, it’s easier to build a habit than you think.