I used to be extremely resistant to the idea of journaling. During the summer of 2020, midst the COVID pandemic, I was in the process of a new divorce that resulted in me leaving my whole life as I knew it behind and I had to completely start over – professionally, financially, and personally. What I quickly realized was I had no idea where to start. I did not know what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go or who I wanted to become. My sister, a double major in psychology and Spanish, suggested I started journaling for the many benefits it offers as a form of therapy. I thought it was the stupidest idea ever. I could not understand how writing my thoughts down in a notebook would be beneficial at all, so I refused to do it. Until I finally gave in and realized how wrong I was.
Journaling became my therapy…and so much more.
I will never forget the first night I decided to give it my all and write everything down in what would become my first journal. I also write about this experience in great detail in my new book, Always Squeezing Lemons. It was a monumental evening with feelings of clarity, peace, forgiveness, and fulfillment I had never felt before. A few short months before I had flipped my entire life upside down but this evening of journaling I consider to be the beginning of my growth journey and personal development truly began.
Flash forward to now, early 2024, I am a powerhouse in the real estate industry and have made seven figures with the company I work for now, I am in an extremely healthy and happy relationship, my first book is launching on May 28th, and I am the founder of a non-profit, Move Into Words, which creates a community advocating for sustainable habits towards mental and physical health. All of which was manifested, planned, and built upon in the pages of my journal.
Journaling as a personal development tool
There are many tasks we can cross off a to do list, but personal development is not one of them. Self-awareness, reflection, forgiveness, overcoming challenges, resilience, courage and so much more are not things we master and move on. Change is a consistency in life, and we are forced to grow or stay behind. Journaling is a tool that allows us to continue to develop and keep a record of it.
I say journaling a simple practice but also one of the hardest things to do. There are days I still resist it. What I am now aware of is if I am resisting it I am holding myself back because there is something I am avoiding processing that is uncomfortable. For journaling to be truly effect it requires you to be honest with yourself. It requires you to write things down that a lot of times we have no intentions of them leaving our mind. But this is one of the many beauties of journaling. When you actually, as I say, become vulnerable with the pages, what you end up writing down gives you more clarity and opportunities for growth than you could have ever expected.
Are you ready to give it a try?
Move Into Words, my non-profit, was established off the foundations of incorporating the practice of journaling into the lives of every young professional and entrepreneur we are able to touch. We incorporate learnings about how powerful journaling is for self-reflection, discovery, and empowerment. We are building a community that not only prioritizes the practice individually but also uplifts others around them with the understanding of how helpful journaling can be for becoming the best version of yourself.
There are 2 easy ways to get started. One, as I wrote earlier, be vulnerable with the pages, and just start writing down your thoughts, feelings, visions, or goals. Two, you can use a prompt. If you do not have one here are five of my favorites when I first began journaling that can get you started.
- What does success mean to you?
- What are your core values and ways you demonstrate them?
- Write a love letter to yourself. Revisit this on days you’re not giving yourself credit.
- What is your biggest fear and why?
- What are you most grateful for?
If journaling is already a practice of yours, I know you appreciate a good prompt when it is in front of you. If it is not, I hope this helps and inspires you to get started on your new journaling journey.
This piece is by guest contributor Kayla Logue, a personal development expert, non-profit founder, motivational speaker, and author of Always Squeezing Lemons (May 28, 2024)