You see, in today’s times, as our mind gets cluttered with information, we often fail to realise that it needs to process the thoughts in order to bring closure to them.
Now, getting this closure is important, as without closure, the mind begins to go back to these thoughts over and over again, going in circles, until it begins ruminating. And when this happens with thousands of incomplete thoughts, it ends up taking up a lot of your cognitive power, leaving you exhausted and incapable of doing things you enjoy, and making life appear more difficult than it is.
Writing your thoughts helps the mind process and close them down. Peppered with emotions, the mind clears out every thought effectively, leading to mental clarity. Do that frequently, and you’ll find yourself free of all negativity, rumination.
You’ll realise you are thinking more clearly, getting more creative and productive, and enjoying life as it is!
Thus, to me, journaling looks like a simple and accessible, yet an underrated practice that can tremendously change our life. I have been journaling for the past 5 years, and the pay-off I had is immense. I could do more, write more while working management roles, take care of myself and my family, make time for my creative pursuits, travel, and generally keep a sense of calmness in all of this.
As ChatGPT puts it:
“The act of putting pen to paper, of pouring out your inner musings and reflections, can be remarkably liberating. It's as if the words themselves carry away the weight of your thoughts, leaving you with a lighter heart and a clearer mind. In a world saturated with screens and digital noise, the simplicity of a handwritten journal creates a space for genuine connection with your thoughts.”
Through journaling, you are externalising your thoughts, which makes you notice how you experienced them in your head vs what they really are when penned down. Over time, as you create a routine of journaling, you begin to replace screen-scrolling with mindful journaling, especially when you want to overcome negative experiences or the general stressors of life.
This is an extremely positive thing you can do for your mind and body.
Quoting ChatGPT once again:
“As you arrange your ideas and experiences into coherent sentences, you may find that your mind follows suit, aligning itself with a newfound sense of clarity. It's as though the act of simplifying your thoughts on paper has a ripple effect, guiding your internal world towards harmony and serenity. In a world fixated on instant gratification and complex solutions, the simplicity of journaling offers a refreshing alternative. It is a reminder that amidst the noise and haste, a few moments of quiet introspection can yield remarkable results. The act of taking pen to paper and allowing your thoughts to flow freely is an act of self-care, a gentle gesture of kindness towards your own mind.”
