Keeping a journal is one those things that I wish I started earlier in my life.
I had those random times that I write a journal,
but what I’m trying to imply about is keeping it in my daily routine.
When I successfully incorporated writing in my habits,
the more I write, the more I wanted to write even more –
which is one of the reasons why this blog website is created.
Through writing and keeping a journal both in my actual notebooks and in Evernote (an app designed for note taking, organizing, task management),
I can confidently conclude that this habit has a powerful mental health benefits.
How?
#1 – Helps You Avoid Forgetting Great Ideas
Ever experienced when you had a really good idea and then after a few hours you forgot what it was and you lost it? I did, a lot of times! But, I learned that writing them down as soon as I had those ideas really helped a lot. It can also help you assimilate and consolidate knowledge. So, whenever an idea comes up to your mind and it, practice noting them down right away. Avoid choosing whether it’s important enough or not. Forming a habit doesn’t work that way, you have to be consistent.
#2 – Helps You Avoid Procrastination
At the beginning of the day, you warm up your mind by writing down your tasks for the day. If you make this a habit, you’ll be more proactive and you’re less likely to procrastinate because your mind prepares you to carry them out properly. I do this by writing them on my Evernote. When I’m done with a task, putting a check mark on it gives me a satisfying feeling – and keeping this win-win state constantly will develop a more sense of creativity and enjoyment.
#3 – Helps You Improve Your Focus
Focus and concentration is one of the best cures to stress because you are less likely to ruminate when your attention is in the present moment. Writing can amplify your focus due to developing creative ideas. Not only that, research also shows writing by hand in some ways are superior when it comes to learning, creativity and productivity.
#4 – Helps You Relieve Stress
When we write our thoughts out of our head, we can confess fears and worries without judgement from others. Psychology Today also suggests that there’s simply no better way to learn about your thought processes than to write them down. Try this trick that I’ve used a few times; If something is bothering you now and you need to let it out, try writing it down in a blank page or paper. Write all those negative feelings and thoughts, and then burn it with fire. Eventually, you’ll notice a sense of relief.
#5 – Helps You Make Better Choices
Writing can clear up your thoughts and improve concentration which will allow you to make better choices. Sometimes when in doubt, I write them down and I’ll get a better picture of the ideas rather than living them messy in my head. Besides, there was a research that suggests that when a person write about his tough moments he can overcome them quicker compared to not writing them down.
#6 – Helps You Manifest Your Goals And Dreams
When we write our goals, may it be daily goals or future goals, we create a sense of focus towards what actions we need to take rather than keeping them in our heads. Do you know that in the law of attraction, writing your desires can help to manifest them into reality? Writing down what you want regularly can give the universe the extra nudge it needs to fuel your manifestation. Not convinced? Well, I am practicing it myself and have now seen small results that changed my perspective. Here’s my opinion why this is not just some theory but is actually happening in science; Our subconscious mind have a connection to the universe, the highest intelligence, or sometimes called the astral world. Through writing our desires regularly, we train our subconscious mind to shift our beliefs. What we believe in our mind will manifest through our actions.
Related Post: How to Make Healthy Habits the Right Way
How to Make Writing a Habit
Becoming a writer was one of my dreams,
but I never gave it a shot because I didn’t know how to start.
The dream seemed to be unreachable.
Never did I know, I only had to start writing.
I write enough words per day and I only had to be consistent.
Now that I am doing it and being consistent,
the dream is becoming a reality.
As what I always suggest,
set a mini goal such as 50 words per day (you can write more whenever you feel like it),
and be consistent.
Never miss a day until eventually,
it becomes natural to you in your instincts to write something down every day.
Also, personally, I keep a gratitude journal in my cabinet.
Before I go to sleep at night,
I write down all the good things that happened to me on that day.
No matter how seemingly flat your day is,
there is always something to be thankful about.
And when writing them, there should be no “but’s.”
In a gratitude journal,
even if something bad happened – your boss scolded you, or you had a fight with your partner, etc. – never include the dark side of the story.
Or you can write them down on the bright side with something like –
“I’m thankful that my boss scolded me because I wouldn’t have finished the project if it didn’t happen.”
Instead of, “I’m glad I finished the project, but my boss scolded me.”
Always write down the bright side of every list until you train your mind to get used to only see the positive things.
Lastly…
hey!
Thank you!
I appreciate you being here because I get to share my ideas with you,
and that’s a huge pleasure in my part.
‘Til on the next blog.
Ciao! <3
