Why Journaling is so important to self-discovery and also mental wellness.  

#Friday night doing some soul searching and journaling. The beauty of being human is learning how to adapt to change. You will constantly learn new things about yourself. It’s a lifelong process.

knowing yourself isn’t as easy as it sounds, because we’re unsure of where to begin.

This is why these questions are helpful. It will serve as a starting point to self-discovery.

“Journaling is a pathway for joy and a powerful tool in the hands of love.”

Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed on paper or you can lose an idea forever.

I have used the discipline of keeping a journal to assist me in the pursuit of success. And I have come to clearly recognize and appreciate its importance.

Benefits of Keeping a Journal

clearly and makes our achievement appear closer. 

Life /Goals can be quickly forgotten. And when it is, it becomes easy to get frustrated with our pursuit. As with any pursuit, there are times we may feel like we have not accomplished anything despite the invested effort and energy. During those moments, it is helpful to look back and be reminded of our past successes. Look back at your notes, or what you promise yourself. It’s okay! I call it self-check.

3. Writing requires us to think out our thoughts, our Emotions, why’s and really?

When we sit down behind a computer screen or our phones, it’s not the same feeling as a pen touching a sheet of paper as you begin to write out what we accomplished or want to accomplish during the day, the month or our Emotions.  we are forced to think through our process on a deeper level. The discipline forces us to answer the difficult questions of “why,” “how,” or “why not?” The answers to these questions are not just helpful as we move forward but it repeats successes and avoids mistakes, and most most most importantly journaling is therapeutical ass well.

A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and fewer thoughts”

― Zen 

I've been keeping a journal for the last 9 years of my life. Before then, it was hit or miss. I kept a journal for both my personal life and business life.  But my real journaling adventure began a year after my first serious relationship ended.

I have stacks of journals, my everyday regular journal would be in leather or cotton cover. My home journal is a little fancier. ( Velvet )  

Getting Started.

• Journaling should work for you ― not the other way around. You may feel most comfortable with a notebook, or Apple notes, or a writing app. Find a form that fits your personality and lifestyle. And embrace it. Find a form that is comfortable for you.
• Commit to writing every day. The intention of sitting to write every day will compel your mind to manufacture and recognize progress. You’ll likely miss days. But don’t let that stop you. Commit again to write the next day.
• Write for yourself, not for others. As you do, write with trust and be honest on what you're putting onto paper your thoughts and action. Don’t worry about spelling and grammar, if those things tend to discourage you. Your goal is not to get an “A.” Your goal is to articulate progress and self-awareness. 
• There are some days where you’ll be motivated to write to yourself. Others days, only a little. Don't be motivated by the length. Journaling is between you, and your pen and the paper. And the universe is always listening.  

Why I Journal

• It brings me clarity
• I can weigh the pros and cons without hearing anyone else give their two-cent opinion
• It helps me focus
• For accountability
• It's a safe place for all my innermost desires
• I can yell in my journal and no one will hear me raise my voice
• It increases my self-awareness, reduces stress
• It quiets my mind
• I can track my own progress
• It's a convenient storage location for thoughts, quotes, and inspiration.
• To-do lists
• For done lists (I LOVE my done lists!)
• A place to work through my struggles / Strategy  
• A place to freely complain and then release
• A safe place to face my fears and deal with them head-on
• Questions for the universe when I don't have any answers
• It's my own self-learning guide
• It gives me peace of mind
• My dream catcher
• A vision illuminator
• For answers from the universe when I'm quiet enough to hear my "inner knower"
• It's an idea incubator
• It's a judgment-free zone 

Let’s start our Journal Journey.

6 Journal Question to ask yourself  ✍🏿

1. What do you wish you did more of?
2. Pretend money is no object. What would you do?
3. What area of your life, right now, makes you feel the best? Which area makes you feel the worst? Why?
4. Let’s jump forward a year. What would you like to have achieved in the past year?
5. What piece of advice would you give to 5 years old you? Sixteen years old you? Twenty-one year old you? Right now?
6. How do you want to be remembered in life?

Unfortunately, it’s not quite as straightforward as you’d hope. 

How would you answer these questions?

Journaling is also a way to speak to your spirit within, to speak to your future self.  

Do you keep a journal? Why or why not? I'd love to hear your thoughts on journaling in the comments section!