Have you ever felt like your life was spinning out of control? Like you were juggling too many things at once, and everything was on the verge of falling apart? I've been there. In fact, there was a time when chaos seemed to be the norm in my life. Grab your notebook, it's time for a story!
The Story
It was two years ago when I had just graduated from college and moved to a new city - Chicago. Starting my first full-time job was exciting, but the loneliness I felt in that small 385 sq. ft studio apartment was overwhelming. Being an extrovert, I struggled to adjust to my new introverted lifestyle. I longed for deeper connections and a sense of belonging. It was a time of contemplation and philosophical reflection. I yearned for a deeper understanding of myself and my place in the world.
At first, I tried to manage my chaotic feelings by avoiding them. I buried myself in work, binge-watched Netflix, and tried to ignore the anxiety that was creeping up on me. But that only made things worse. Eventually, I realized that I needed to confront my feelings head-on if I wanted to manage them.
The Moment of Clarity
That's when I decided to try journaling. Every day, I wrote down my thoughts and feelings without any judgment or censorship. It was akin to releasing pent-up emotions. By externalizing my thoughts on paper, I gained a degree of separation from them. Additionally, I discovered that journaling provided me with a clearer perspective on my situation. Rather than being overwhelmed by the chaos, I was able to view it as a natural aspect of the growth process.
The Way
There’s no “right” way to journal.
You writing your thoughts on a piece of paper is journaling. You speaking to yourself is journaling. You creating art is journaling.
You don’t need to follow any prompts. You don’t need to follow any gurus. You don’t need to be consistent. All you need is yourself and a willingness to have a conversation with your own mind, at your own pace.
Journaling is free therapy. Start today, and your future self will thank you.
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