By Rania Dawud

With busy and unpredictable schedules, sitting down to write about your day seems like the last thing you’d want to be doing every night. But with the days and years passing by in the flash of an eye, how are you meant to know whether you’ve learnt anything, especially when every day feels just like the one before it?

Setting aside the time to write about your day will help you reflect on and gain an insight into what is really going on in your life. 

Recounting a conversation or incident in writing could lead to a deeper understanding of the meaning behind it as well as grant you a new nugget of knowledge that might help you later on. 

• Writing in a journal is essentially having a dialogue with yourself, and through these conversations is where one draws out insight and clarity. On top of that, you are creating a first-hand record of your life to look back on. 

• With time, you will notice the change in different themes in your life; you’ll also begin to better recognize your traits, leading to more self-awareness and understanding. 

• Journaling also helps you manage mental clutter, or the worries you might have that may not be making sense at the time. By letting yourself address them through writing, you’re sorting through what it is bothering you or inspiring you. Being honest with yourself is key and journaling gives one the space to be comfortable enough to do so.

• Letting yourself write about your problems is also one step closer to solving them. It helps you understand the issue at hand and is the first step in untangling the mess you might be facing. Besides, noting down your mistakes and successes on paper is one of the best ways to facilitate personal growth. That kind of record keeps you humble and inspired. 

Although keeping a journal might seem like a commitment, there are no real rules except the ones you set for yourself. It doesn’t have to be extensive and time-consuming. Some days you might have a lot to say and scribble out seven pages, other days you might only write one sentence. You don’t have to write every day or every week either, it could just be whenever you feel like you have something to say. 

The one thing that must remain constant throughout though is your commitment to journaling.