Write in a diary - win the day!

View fullsize

This is an essential activity that is available to everyone, practically free. Once I was undergoing a series of emotional struggles caused by my decision to move abroad. It wasn't easy, because this basically means separation from everyone that you know and love, but I've decided that it was the best option for me. The first month in a new country was hard, but then one of my teachers mentioned daily journaling as a way to improve language skills.

At first, I was writing in the journal to practice my vocabulary and grammar, but after a few weeks, I've discovered the hidden benefits that I wasn't even aware of. Daily entries into my journal opened the door to a new world for me. I became more productive, and my mind was unusually focused. All the thoughts that were distracting me before were left on the pages of my diary and weren't affecting me whatsoever. On top of that, every morning, I felt accomplished by a mere fact of completing the required entry in my journal.

As a bonus, the simple activity of typing words on a paper was boosting my confidence daily. This regular journaling turns out to be much more than it appears to be. It is like an honest conversation with yourself, where your other self plays the role of a decent psychologist, who listens to you carefully and helps you to find your own answers.  When you do it over a long period, it cures the majority (if not all) of your mental struggles.

The key is to write your journal longhand – the thoughts in your brain transfer directly to the paper through your hand. Also, you're less inclined to change things along the way -  the ink stays on the paper and leaves you no choice but keep writing.

One year later, I’ve discovered another secret power of the journaling - it allows you to re-visit the same calendar date of your entry from a year ago. By comparing the two, you can figure out which day was more productive and full-filling so that you can make the necessary correction to your way of life. Besides, there's this magical feeling of discovery when you read about something exciting from your past that you've already forgotten. The diary remembers everything that you've shared.

After a few years of journaling, I've observed significant improvements in my mental health. Each time I had a tough moment in my life, the diary was always there to listen to my struggles. When you put your worries on paper, they seem to stay there, which allows you to go on with your life.

Apart from all the wonderful benefits I’ve discovered, journaling was still satisfying its initial purpose - I’ve noticed how my writing abilities improved without even thinking about it. During these years of writing in a journal, I've developed a habit of regular writing, which helps me to finish my screenplays, public speeches, and other written work, like this post.

You don't need much to start, get yourself a nice journal that will last for years and a pen that will bring you joy. Now you have everything you need to start a conversation with yourself that will dramatically change the way you perceive the world and yourself.