How I Journal
Easy tips to document your life meaningfully, from someone who is not ‘creative’
Three months ago, I wrote about the impact of journaling on my life since I started maintaining one in 2022. (You can read the post here if you haven’t already. It was received with so much love by you guys, for which I am beyond grateful.)
So many readers found inspiration to let go of procrastination and pick up that diary again. So many readers had questions about how to build consistency since journaling is a habit that requires you to slow down, something that is extremely difficult to do in a world where everything seems to move at a thousand miles an hour.
The idea of journaling in my head is not constrained to the end goal of finding peace of mind. I, like most of you, live a very mundane life. I have fixed routines, the same job for the last two years and some goals that require me to show up consistently. It’s easy to shut my brain off and slide into the autopilot lifestyle this way. I will not describe myself as the most creative person, but journaling is a means by which I make room for creativity in my life.
The minute you shut the doors for creativity to exist in your life is the minute you start to lose life’s meaning.
In the last two years, I have experimented with ways through which journaling can add value to my life. Some of these practices have stuck with me to date, while some I let go of with time. My intention with this week’s newsletter is to share these practices with you, hoping that you blend some of them into your everyday routine and feel surrounded by creativity amid monotony.
Re-living cherished moments through pictures
Taking pictures is one thing. Using them meaningfully is another thing. I don’t skim through my phone gallery very often, and I am pretty sure that by the time I am 40, I will either lose them or not have enough time to revisit all of them through the years. So, I print the ones associated with ordinary as well as the core memories and include them in my journal with a handwritten message on the side.
Some Advantages
Promotes creative thinking.
Adds a pop of colour in your journal.
Can be passed down and will make for a meaningful gift one day.
An internal desire to spend some quiet time with your journal more than before.
It’s super easy to implement.
Little things you value right now (but have a tendency to forget about in the future)
I collect little things that I find value in along the way and paste them in my journal. I highly recommend doing the same. Treat them as collectables you would want to keep safe, things that define you or remind you of valuable lessons in your life.
I saved the boarding pass for my first international trip after more than a decade of staying in the country to remind myself that it’s possible for me to step out into the unknown and see the beauty that this world has to offer. I saved a few flowers from the bouquet my mother received from her students on her birthday last month as a reminder to show appreciation towards the people who matter in my life.
Some Advantages
You find meaning in your day-to-day life.
You learn to notice the little things.
You have a box full of collectables to pass on.
Again, it’s super easy to implement.
Maintaining multiple journals
Currently, I have two journals: one is a mental clarity and collectables journal, and the other is a surroundings journal. I carry my surroundings journal everywhere. When I am in a setting that fills me with joy, peace or fulfilment, I draw it.
I know that sometimes maintaining even a single journal seems like a daunting task, but I highly recommend keeping more than one journal such that one can always be kept at your bedside table (easy reach) and the other can be carried everywhere (anywhere access).
Some Reminders:
Journaling is not a to-do list item. It’s okay if you don’t fill it every day.
Journaling is a habit that may take a while to develop. Try to keep your journal within reach so you know you can pick it up if needed.
Journaling may not work for everyone and it’s okay if you’re one of those people. There are many ways in which you can document your life meaningfully. You just have to find what works best for you. But keep looking until you find it because when you do, it’s life-changing!
THIS WEEK’s RECOMMENDATIONS
The untold realities of leaving my job by
. A beautiful piece on realising your worth beyond a 9-5.Today Is My 38th Birthday. Here Are All the Things That I Know at 38 Which I Wish I Knew at 20. by
. There are some life changing realisations in this newsletter that will really make you evaluate your life. Highly recommend!!My epic fail by
. Amazing reflection on how to approach failure from Donna’s personal experience. Not to forget, I really appreciate the mention of one of my Notes in this post!
If you enjoy reading Unwind, I would love it if you consider recommending the publication to your readers. Simply go to your dashboard > Recommendations > Manage > Add recommendation > Unwind.
This is so thoughtful and helpful - thank you.
I have found it helps to keep my to-do list and notebook separate from my journaling notebook. It helps to stop my journaling becoming just another tick list item and keeps it separate for when I want a more thoughtful moment.
I love this Mansi! And that you add flowers to your journal especially 🥰 I always collect flowers on walks and have a growing flower garland at home where I dry them.
As for journaling I’m hosting another coorporate workshop for mental health awareness month and love reminding people, like you said, it’s not a tickboxing exercise to write / reflect. I agree, the easiest way to journal is to write what you see and use bridging words or sentences aka I see / I think… every time your trail of thought comes to and end.
I have 3 journals. One for therapy related reflections , one for my wellbeing offering and reflections on my coaching and one for daily „digestion“ of experiences