Fourteen Years of Journaling
Fourteen years ago today I started keeping a journal. So many memories, experiences, and thoughts are recorded in the thousands of pages I have filled. I wrote about the day I got my first violin, the day I got baptized, the day I started high school, and the day I graduated from college.
Although I use a laptop now instead of writing by hand, I still love sitting down with a pen and paper to free the words that flow from my soul. Over the years, journaling has helped me process things that only surface when written about. The quietest parts of me have a voice, and my mind always settles as I take a few moments to reflect on the day.
During the busy times in college, I often had only a few minutes to spare before going to bed. So, I decided to write about a minimum of three things each day:
A Story. Something that made that day unlike any other day. It could be big, like running my first half marathon, or it could be tiny, like a funny interchange I witnessed.
Comfort Zone. Something I did to get outside my comfort zone that day. Again, this could be big, like interviewing for a job, or it could be small—like saying “hi” to someone I don’t know.
Gratitude. One thing I’m grateful for… my family, a great friend, air to breathe, dark chocolate, safety, my church family, my mom, etc. I try to be as specific to the day as possible.
Oftentimes I have multiple stories and multiple ways I got out of my comfort zone. Other days I stay inside my comfort zone, and I write about that, too. Sometimes I feel like writing paragraph after paragraph, and other times I barely write a sentence. And that’s okay. Every day is a gift, and I’m so grateful for each one.
