“Sometimes, the only paper will listen to you.” — Julia Cameron
I used to think journaling was something kids did, or maybe something girls kept secret under a bed with a glittery lock.
For years, it felt unnecessary to have a journal like, why write it down your experience when you’re living it, right? Turns out, I was wrong.
Journaling isn’t just for kids. It’s not a “girl thing.” It’s for everyone.
Eight months ago, I started journaling. I wasn’t consistent at first — it was more of a random, half-hearted effort. But for the last 90 days? I’ve shown up every single day. Morning or night, busy or free, I wrote. And let me tell you, it’s been nothing short of transformative.
Here’s what I learned along the way:
1. it Helped Me Improve My Writing Style
“Style is a very simple matter: all rhythm. Once you get that, you can’t use the wrong words.” — Virginia Woolf
Writing every day changes you. At first, my entries were messy, scattered thoughts that didn’t make sense even to me.
But over time, I started experimenting — trying new words, playing with sentence structures. Journaling became a space where I could mess up without judgment.
It’s like working out, but for words. The more you write, the more fluid your thoughts become.
Even content writing feels better now because I’ve been practicing in my journal, free from deadlines.
2. It Helped Me Manage My Emotions
“I’m not sure which is worse: intense feeling, or the absence of it.” — Margaret Atwood,
Some days, I didn’t even know what was bothering me until I started writing. Suddenly, it became clear, whenever i read back what i wrote.
A fight with a friend? A deadline ? Journaling gave me the space to acknowledge those feelings, process them, and sometimes even let them go.
Pro tip: Don’t overthink what you write. Just start with something like, “Today was tough,” and let the rest spill out. It’s surprisingly therapeutic.
3. It Boosted My Self-Awareness
“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” — Paulo Coelho
If you’ve ever wanted to understand yourself better, journaling is the way to go.
and Suddenly when i consistently writing I realized I complained about the same things over and over.
I also noticed what made me happiest — the small wins I didn’t even register before.
I learned that I feel my best when I spend time outdoors, even if it’s just sitting in the sun for ten minutes. Without journaling, I might’ve missed that entirely.
4. It Helped Me Heal
“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” — Akshay Dubey
This one’s a little personal, but worth sharing. Journaling became a safe space where I could confront old wounds.
Sometimes, I’d write about things I hadn’t thought about in years — stuff I didn’t even realize was weighing me down. And you know what? Putting it on paper made it feel lighter.
Healing isn’t linear, but journaling gave me a way to track progress. It’s like looking back and realizing, “Wow, I’ve come so far.”
5. It Increased My Creativity
Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” — Steve Jobs
You know those moments when ideas strikes out of nowhere? Journaling is best way to capture them.
Some of my best ideas — whether for work, writing, or life in general — came while I was journaling.
It’s as if clearing the mental clutter made room for fresh thoughts to pop up.
I’d write about a random memory, and suddenly, I’d have a new idea for a blog post. Or I’d vent about something frustrating, and midway through, I’d stumble on the solution.
Once Friedrich Nietzsche said, “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” Well, I’d argue they’re also conceived while journaling.
How to Start Journaling (Without Overthinking It)
“I can’t imagine how it feels to be a writer. To write a book is something so extraordinary, something so beautiful, that it must be a dream. But one thing is certain: I would rather be a writer than anything else in the world.” – Anne Frank
Let me guess — you’re thinking, “This sounds great, but I wouldn’t even know where to start.” Trust me, I’ve been there. Here’s how I made it work:
Start small.
Begin with just five minutes a day. Write anything — what you had for breakfast, how you’re feeling, or something random like, “I saw a cute dog today.”
Pick a time that works for you.
Some people love morning journaling; others prefer evenings. Try both and see what sticks.
Use prompts if you ever had a writer block:
- What made me smile today?
- What’s one thing I’m grateful for?
- What’s something I’m struggling with right now?
Be messy. journaling isn’t about perfect grammar or writing a masterpiece. It’s about being honest with yourself.
My Favorite Journaling Ritual
“I never thought I could write a diary, but then I began to write and discovered that it was a great joy.”– Anne Frank
Okay, here’s the fun part: journaling doesn’t have to be boring. These little rituals made the process something I actually looked forward to:
- Creating a calming atmosphere by diming the lights whenever i write at my bedtime
- Change locations Some days, I’d journal at my desk. Other days, I’d take my notebook to the park. Switching it up kept things interesting.
I am Still finding ideal journaling routine
Final Thoughts
Journaling isn’t a magic fix for all of life’s problems, but it’s pretty close. It’s a habit that grows with you, helping you reflect, heal, and create.
If you’ve ever been curious about journaling, I’d say: start today. Grab a notebook, put on your favorite song, and just let your thoughts flow.
