Navigating Life Beyond The Rate-Race

I just finished writing my 100th journal entry.

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12 June 2022 is when I wrote my first journal entry. Much like everyone else, I used “lack of time” as an excuse to never purchase a diary I could write my thoughts in. In fact, the thought of having concrete evidence of my most authentic self in the form of a diary was always terrifying. But as I purchased my first journal, something in me knew that it was a practice I would hold onto for long. 

Journaling gifts you peace. It gifts your mind the freedom to wander to beautiful places.

While living in a world full of chaos, sometimes all we seek is the validation of others. We form opinions of ourselves based on what others think of us. We form our goals based on what we see people doing around us. In a way, our entire existence revolves around the connections that we build and the experiences that we have.

It’s easy for our inner voice to fade away in that noise. That is exactly why I started journaling, to bring my inner voice to the centre stage of my life. 

-100th journal entry-

Here’s how journaling has changed my life.

Pause

I finished school with good grades, enrolled in one of the top courses at a renowned university and landed a decent job. This may seem like the most conventional path for anyone to take in life, but nothing about it felt intentional until I decided to stop functioning on autopilot.

While the professional growth was decent, not once did I stop to think why I was doing what I was doing. (do you?)

My journey has allowed me to feel secure in terms of financial independence, but it doesn’t feel balanced without small practices like journaling that make me feel like I am not a machine.

I didn’t know what my idea of success was. Maybe I am still trying to figure it out. But I know better now than I ever did before. Journaling has allowed me to live these moments where I can stop and listen to myself, something that we rarely do in today’s world full of information overload. Plus it doesn’t hurt that my essence is here to stay for decades to come in these notebooks.

-Recently added pictures in my Journal to look back on sweet memories-

Self-Acceptance

There’s something extremely calming about writing your thoughts down on a piece of paper, as if you are talking to a friend who will never judge you no matter how strange you are. With this thought, journaling has helped me discover who I truly am- my strengths, my weaknesses, my beliefs. This awareness has brought me face-to-face with my authentic self, and focus on parts that need improvement.

Organisation

We all have days when lack of motivation and uninvited  stress takes a toll on us. On days like these, writing a quick 5-minute to-do list in my journal has been a game changer. Having a brief idea of the tasks I want to finish off during the day has saved me A LOT of stress and worry in my life. 

-A pressed flower found home in my journal-

Change

I am someone who takes time to thrive post change. A lot of you may be able to relate to this as we accept the anxiety that comes with change thinking that it is something we have to go through to succeed.

I am here to tell you that it’s not true. We have the right to find calm in our lives, right here. If you write down all the mental clutter that accompanies change in your life, you can sense that most things you worry about are actually not worth your time.

That is exactly what I do and it works every time. 

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I’m curious: If you could write just one journal entry in your entire lifetime, what would it be about? Comment below, I’d love to know!

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THIS WEEK’s RECOMMENDATIONS

• More haste less speed by

  Louise Tilbrook
  . A reminder for you to let go of speed as a lifestyle choice.

• Your Guide To ‘Pottering’ by

  Emily Male
  . A well written piece about how to slow down (and make it a daily practice) I needed to read this week.

• You'll be judged no matter what you do; So you might as well be judged for being you by

  Elin Petronella
  . Lovely reminder to let go of the fear of judgement and show up with courage in this world.

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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.

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