Five Years of Daily Journaling
19 Dec 23
I’ve stuck with writing my journal and capture my day since 2018. Except for the hiccup during the 2020 lockdowns until the close of 2021, I’ve diligently chronicled my days. Here’s a post from 2018, with a few recent tweaks, capturing my one-year milestone of journaling.
This piece was originally written here, this is an edited version and reflection of the piece years down the line.
Inspired by folks who swear by the power of maintaining a diary, I jumped on the bandwagon. As a New Year’s resolution, I started jotting down my daily adventures, and guess what? I succeeded!
It turned out to be a great way to cap off my day, and here’s my take on the experience.
How I Ensured I Never Missed a Day
Simple — I kept the diary and a pen by my bedside. No excuses, just write before dozing off. Tucking it under the pillow helped too; a gentle reminder before slipping into dreamland. P.S. Always ensure no prying eyes get a sneak peek.
What I Wrote
Recall the day’s events and start writing. It could be as trivial as trimming your beard, the places you visited, people you met, topics in conversations, things that stimulated your mind, or anything relevant to the day.
I didn’t stress over crafting fancy sentences. Some entries are just keywords separated by hyphens. It saved time and mental effort while covering as much detail as possible. Let’s be real — as long as I can decipher it, mission accomplished. No one else is reading it anyway.
Challenges Faced
There were days, like during travels, when writing slipped my mind. But the habit stuck, and it became something I looked forward to.
Pros
It became a tool for trying new experiences and boosting productivity. Daily self-evaluation made me strive for interesting experiences. It shifted my outlook to be more positive, aiding in tracking progress with tasks and goals. The realization that so much happens daily astounds me — I’d have missed it without the diary!
Catching Dreams
I get weird dreams, but they fade once I grab my morning coffee. Now, with a diary handy, I record them. It might mean nothing, but some are so bizarre they’re amusing — just my quirky dreams with no purpose.
Positive Cycle
It triggers a positive cycle. Knowing you’ll write about your day prompts actions that give you something positive to jot down. It works both subconsciously and consciously.
Above all, reading entries during free moments is an experience. Reliving memorable days, like my time in Kerala last summer, adds a unique charm.
As the year wraps up, consider starting a diary. If you do, let me know how it goes! Happy Holidays!
