5 Things I Learned from Journaling for 30+ years

a few of the life lessons that have come through so far

pictured: a subset of the many dozens of journals I have filled

I started journaling in middle school, and am still at more than 30 years later. Journaling has been, by far, the most helpful habit in my life. Here are a few of the lessons I have learned from journaling consistently over time.

1. Things seem less scary when I write them down.

There is something magical in the act of simply articulating my stressful thoughts. What seems gargantuan in my head shrinks to real-life proportions on the page.

2. My memories are not always accurate.

Reading old journals, I have more than once been stunned to learn I had forgotten or misremembered key details that changed my understanding of an event or situation. It’s harder to hold grudges knowing my memories can become distorted. I now try to give more things and people the benefit of the doubt.

3. This, too, shall pass.

It’s amazing how caught up I get in short-lived problems. Because I’ve read so many accounts of my freak-outs, I now write them fully aware I’ll soon be rolling my eyes at my overreaction.

4. My dreams hold wisdom.

I record my most vivid dreams in my journal. Sometimes their meaning is immediately clear, but even those I find most baffling are often easy to interpret when I return to them later with hindsight.

5. I am trying to improve.

My journals, including the current one, are chock full of cringe. I allow myself to write about whatever I’m experiencing, including my pettiest thoughts and emotions, which can be painful to revisit. Yet it’s clear that even in those darkest entries I am reaching for a higher understanding. I can forgive my worst self for showing up in my journals, because she’s always there looking for my best self.

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21-Day Journaling Challenge Starts Saturday!

This Saturday, January 7 kicks off my FREE guided journaling course with daily prompts and weekly live sessions. Sign up here or visit this page for more information. Feel free to reach out to me with questions via Instagram.