The Benefits of Journaling and How to Get Started
I am a huge fan of Journaling.
I started a journaling practice a few years ago and it is one of the most rewarding things I have done. I recommend that everyone should at least give journaling a shot.
Here are the benefits I have realized from journaling and an outline of my journaling routine.
Benefits I realize from Journaling:
- It keeps me grateful.
- It keeps me on track with my goals.
- It helps me capture and inspect each day.
- It gives me a “look back” on the progress I have made.
- It helps me sleep better by getting everything out of my head and on paper.
My Journaling Routine:
Medium — I am a tech guy and I usually go digital. But my journaling is physical. I use the Leuchtturm 1917 journal and a Pilot Precise V5 pen (I love a sharp tip pen). Journaling with pen and paper feels more soulful and meaningful to me.
Time of Day and Frequency — I journal at night before bed. I like to use it as a “brain dump” at the end of the day. Get stuff out of my head and on to paper. It’s a great time to look back on what I am grateful for. I journal Sunday — Thursday. Friday and Saturday I take off.
Structure — I follow a structure I pieced together from: Ben Franklin journaling, Stoicism, Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, Gratitude journaling, and some of my own stuff.
- Gratitude — List 3 things I am grateful for.
- Metta– List 3 people to sent kind thoughts to.
- Good — List 3 things I did well.
- Bad — List 3 things I didn’t do well.
- Better — How can I do these things better?
- Daily Lesson — Most important lesson I learned that day.
- Re-Write the Narrative — An affirmation section.
- Flip the page — To the next day and write 3 wins for tomorrow.
If you want to start a journaling practice, feel free to borrow my routine. Or create one of your own. Either way, give journaling a shot.
Start enjoying the benefits of Journaling!
