Journaling

Hello friends! 👋🏻

It's been a while since my last update, and I want to thank you all for sticking around. Life has been a bit of a juggling act lately with work, personal matters, and health. But as promised, I’m back to share something close to my heart—how journaling has made my days better.

When I was in elementary school, I had not just one, but two diaries—one pink and one baby blue. I used to love writing about my days, my family, and my friends. Drawing and doodling were also my passions, so sometimes, I filled those diaries with little sketches. Being the introverted person I am, I kept everything to myself and found solace in writing about my life.

Fast forward to now, and I still keep a journal. But as I reflected on my journaling journey, I noticed that I’d always written about things that had already happened—the past. I never thought about writing down my plans or goals for the future.

Then, in 2020, after I quit my job as a designer, I was tidying up and found my old diaries from secondary school and college. Reading through them, I realized something needed to change in how I approached journaling. Here’s what I did:

1. I wrote about everything that happened in the past two years.
2. I listed every achievement, no matter how small.
3. I wrote down my future goals, understanding that while Allah is the best planner, we still have to work toward what we want to achieve.

Here’s why this has been life-changing for me:

1. Reflecting on the Past

Writing about your past helps you gain clarity on what worked for you and what didn’t. It gives you insight into the actions you should take moving forward.

For example, let’s say you were hospitalized last year due to food poisoning from something you’re allergic to. With time, you might forget that incident, and it could happen again because you’re feeling fine and forgetful of that allergy. By journaling, you create a record that helps you track and avoid repeating mistakes in the future. For me, I realized I was often careless with my health. Now, I use my health journal to remind myself of what I should avoid in the future.

2. Celebrating Achievements

Documenting your achievements—big or small—reminds you of your ability to accomplish what once seemed impossible. Even if it took years to achieve.

For example, let’s say when you were 18, your goal was to save enough money to buy a PS4. It might have taken you five years, but eventually, you got it. What helped you achieve that goal? Action. You saved up, little by little. But what helped you remember that goal? Your journal. Writing down your dreams motivates you to work toward them, and it’s an amazing feeling to look back and see what you’ve accomplished.

3. Visualizing Future Goals

Writing down your future goals gives you a clear path toward what you need to do to achieve them.

Remember back in school when teachers asked you to write down your goals for the future? You probably wrote things like, “I want to have a stable job in two years” or “I want to be financially stable in five years.” But as life progressed, circumstances changed, and so did your goals. The beauty of journaling is that it’s private. You can dream big or small without fear of judgment. Even if your goal is to be a millionaire—write it down! You have Allah, and as long as you put in the effort and keep praying, your journey is yours to shape.

No matter what your goals are, whether big or small, having a personal journal lets you set them on your own terms. It’s your safe space to dream, plan, and act without limitations.

Some pictures from July journal spread that I can share with you guys.

The Benefits of Journaling I Discovered Over the Years

1. Journaling as Therapy

Writing in a journal can be a form of therapy. There are moments when we all feel alone, like no one understands us—not even the closest people in our lives. Family, friends, or even your partner may not always be there for you when you need them. At times like these, your journal becomes a safe space to express your feelings. Writing it all down can give you peace of mind because you're unloading thoughts that have been sitting with you for a while. It’s a soothing and therapeutic way to work through your emotions, and the act of writing itself can calm your mind.

2. Understanding Yourself Better

Many of us, myself included, live our lives on autopilot—waking up, going to work, eating, coming home, sleeping, and repeating the cycle. There’s nothing wrong with routine, but sometimes you pause and ask, What am I really doing with my life? Why did this happen to me? Writing in your journal can help you gain clarity and understanding about yourself, your circumstances, your health, and even your relationships. It’s not about striving for perfection; it’s about gaining a deeper awareness of what’s happening in your life and why.

3. A Tool for Gratitude

Journaling can be a powerful way to practice gratitude. Writing about your accomplishments, no matter how big or small, makes you appreciate what you already have. Gratitude is essential for a healthy mindset. Often, people who feel stressed or depressed do so because they haven’t reached their “big” goals yet. They get caught up in what they haven’t achieved and forget to take a moment to reflect on all they already have. This constant pressure can lead to stress and burnout. Writing in your journal reminds you to celebrate the little victories and helps shift your focus to what you’re grateful for in the present.

These are just a few benefits of journaling that I’ve experienced firsthand. Of course, you can find many other benefits through YouTube or various websites that discuss this practice—it’s been talked about for years! But I wanted to share the ones that have made the biggest impact on my life.

Decorating Your Journal: A Mood Booster

When I was in elementary school, it was hard to find cute stickers or tapes to decorate my journal—there was no Shopee or online art shops! But now, decorating journals is part of the therapeutic experience. Colors, stickers, and tapes bring life to your journal spreads, and it becomes something fun to look at and read again. For someone like me, who loves art, plain pages can get a little boring.

That’s why I started creating themed stickers! With them, you can decorate your journal based on your mood, favorite colors, or even your fashion taste. It’s a great way to make journaling a more enjoyable and visually inspiring experience.

You guys are so lucky! I hope these stickers and creative journaling ideas help boost your mood and make your journaling journey even more fulfilling.

 

If You’re New to Journaling, Here’s Where to Start

If you’re a beginner to journaling and not sure where or how to begin, the internet is full of resources to guide you. You can find countless ideas and inspiration to help you start and decorate your journal. Here are some keywords you can search on Pinterest or other platforms to explore different journaling styles:

1. Art Journal – For creative souls who love to combine drawing, painting, or collaging with their written entries.

2. Brain Dump Journal – A place to offload all your thoughts, ideas, and feelings without structure—perfect for mental clarity.

3. Gratitude Journal – A simple yet effective way to focus on the positives by writing down things you’re grateful for every day.

4. Health Journal – Track your physical and mental health, including habits, exercise, diet, and emotional well-being.

5. Bullet Journal – A highly customizable, task-oriented journal system that combines to-do lists, goals, and creative design.

6. Travel Journal – Capture memories, reflections, and experiences from your trips with photos, ticket stubs, or sketches.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and read my blog. I truly hope my writing inspires and motivates you to be better, just as journaling has done for me. Your support means everything, and I look forward to sharing more with you on this journey. Stay tuned for more inspiration, and happy journaling!

 

Published on : 23/08/2022