Why I journal

Growing up, my sister was always writing. She loved notebooks, scribbling things down, and playing with words. Even now, in her 50s, she still has a journal close by. Every Christmas, she would get one of those little books with a lock on it, like a vault for her thoughts safe from prying eyes. And because my mates' sisters did the same, I just assumed journaling was a "girly" thing.

So, when I first started seeing it pop up in personal development books, I resisted. A lot. But the evidence was everywhere. Successful people swore by it. So, I gave it a shot. And failed. Over and over again. I would start, keep it up for a few days, then life would get in the way, and the habit would disappear. This went on for years.

Then, in 2024, I set myself a challenge: journal every single day. No excuses. That is when I finally saw its real power. Writing things down helped me clear my head. It stopped thoughts from bouncing around, made decisions easier, and gave me way more clarity on what actually mattered. By the end of the year, I had not missed a day and had written over 90,000 words. That is basically a book.

And to this day, I still have not missed an entry; it's a solid habit I intend to keep.

If you have never journaled or, like me, have tried and failed, do not write it off just yet. It is simple but powerful. And if you want to give it a go, here is how I made it work.

Three things that helped me stick with it:

1. Used Google Docs – I always have my phone with me, so instead of messing about with fancy notebooks, I just opened a Google Doc and wrote in there. No friction, no excuses. But if a notebook works for you, use one.

2. Kept it casual – I stopped trying to write some deep, meaningful entry every day. Some days, it was one line; some days, pages flowed out of me. The key was just doing it.

3. Tied it to another habit – I made it part of my morning routine. As soon as I put my gym gear on and before I head off to lift weights, I spend a couple of minutes journaling. It became automatic.

Journaling is not about being perfect. It is about getting stuff out of your head and onto paper. And in a world full of distractions, that's a skill worth having.

And to my little sister Sarah, if you ever read this, now might be a good time to confess that the little lock on your journal was not quite as secure as you thought. Let's just say I became an expert at picking locks at a young age and learned priceless lessons about how girls think. If an apology is needed, consider this it.

Take Care

GB