I am a routine-oriented person, and every night, when I slip into bed, I journal (and then I read). I first write the date and, in recent times, how many days we’ve been in the “new normal” of the pandemic (it’s day 120). Then, I write what I did that day and any feelings I’m having.
I have been journaling in this way for years. A collection of journals sits on my bookshelf, each chronicling the days of my adult life. These journals often come in handy. For one, I often find myself trying to remember what I did for certain holidays in previous years or when exactly something occurred. It’s easy for me to go back to a specific date and figure out what was done on that day.
For another, journaling helps me process emotions or events before the day ends. If something complicated or unsettling happened earlier, I write about it. I find that getting it down on paper helps me get to sleep quicker. Instead of lying in bed overthinking things, I’ve already processed and released them. I am lucky to sleep well most nights, and I attribute much of this to the routine of journaling – and reading – before bed to calm my mind.
There are many ways to keep a journal. Some prefer to journal first thing in the morning, setting intentions or goals for the day. Others enjoy keeping a journal for a specific purpose, like a gratitude journal. Whatever your preferred method, I’ve always thought writing the matters in our heads and our hearts is beneficial. It helps us sort through our days and feel more at peace thereafter.
Do you journal, or you might you be interested in starting? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
P.S. Check out NPR’s Life Kit for an episode on journaling.
This is the first year I’ve started a journal and stuck with it! I’ve halfway filled the pages and we’re half way thru the year, huzzah. I don’t have a routine for journaling. I write to process my thoughts, sometimes I write about what I’ve done that day, things I want to do. I think it’s been really helpful!