𝙊𝙣 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜

- 10 Ways To Start Writing Today -

(THREAD)

I remember when I picked up my first Journal

It wasn’t a blank notebook, but rather pages filled with notes written by the Emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius.

The most powerful man in the world was spending time each day recording his thoughts and giving himself advice on paper

By the way, the Emperor's book is called "The Meditations"

It's one of the many books that changed my life

It's also on my "25 Books to Read Before You die" Booklist

If you want to want that Book list, it's yours!

Get it here: https://readbeforeyoudie.carrd.co/ 

“That’s incredible” I thought to myself. If a man of that stature was Journaling, Why the hell wasn’t I?”

So I began…

Ever since then, my life has changed for the better. If you start, yours will too

Here are ten ways you can start Journaling today

Enjoy...

1. 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠

Getting your thoughts on paper is crucial for getting an idea of what your REAL thoughts are

The mind is often a state of chaos—Thinking about yesterday, planning for tomorrow all while trying to manage today

Thoughts become scrambled all over the place, leading to anxiety, stress and confusion

Journaling is an excellent way to make sense of it all by allowing you to see your thoughts outside of your mind on paper

Start by simply writing out whatever you're thinking about. No rules

2. 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠

People go their entire lives never truly understanding how they feel. They’re told to man up and have a stiff upper lip. They’re told if they express their emotions they’re weak.

So they suppress their emotions, pushing them down deep inside.

This leads to anxiety and depression.

The problem with suppression is it works like a pressure cooker.

The more you stuff down deep inside, the further it expands until it can no longer contain itself. You explode.

This is also known as a nervous breakdown.

Journaling is one of the best ways to process how you feel and gain a deeper understanding of your emotions.

Once you understand and process your emotions, you can release them, freeing yourself from the hold they had on you.

By the way, @pathtomanliness & I created a Journaling Guide for those who feel lost and don't know where to get started

- Decrease anxiety, stress & anger
- Boost creativity
- Ignite productivity
- Increase Happiness

Learn Here: https://gumroad.com/a/806777971 

3. 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 & 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔

My favorite way to brainstorm new ideas is through mind mapping.

I’ll get creative and draw boxes and various shapes to map out my ideas.

Viewing the ideas on paper changes the way you see them. Dots connect

It ignites your mind and fuels creativity.

Journaling is also great for problem solving.

The key is asking yourself questions about the problems you face.

What is the problem?
What can I do about it?
What are my options?
What would ___do in this situation?

4. 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝐷𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔

Brain dumping is dumping all of the info clogging your mind. It’s the release of psychological energy.

There’s only so much info your mind can hold on to before you feel overwhelmed.

Don't hold on to each thought, release them on the pages.

Try this timed exercise: Set a timer for 5 mins.

Open your notebook. Write whatever you’re thinking about as quickly as you can.

Don’t censor out anything. Say how you really feel.

There are no good or bad thoughts here. Keep the pen moving, don’t stop to think.

5. 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠

One of my favorite ways to Journal is through memory recording.

If I go on a trip to the mountains, part of my Journal will be dedicated to recording the daily events.

Not only that, but I'll record how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking while I'm there.

I’ll try to draw the landscape and make little symbols to describe the weather.

It doesn’t have to be a huge vacation. Any event that had an emotional impact on you will do.

6. 𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑞𝑢𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠

I use my journal to record quotes that I like. Sometimes I’ll write a quote for the day at the top of my page.

Pondering a philosophical thought is a great way to expand your mind.

Plus, writing it down ensures you won't forget it

7. 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠

You can also use your journal to take notes on whatever it is that you’re learning.

Maybe you’re at a seminar.
- Take notes in your Journal.

Maybe you’re reading a book and want to explore an idea you picked up.
- Make note of it in your journal

8. 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦

Before I go to bed, I ask myself a variation of questions designed to keep me accountable for the day. If you don’t know where to get started, use these:

1. What good did I do today?
2. Where did I fall short?
3. How can I make tomorrow better?

The key here is being 100% honest with yourself. Don't lie to yourself. Keep it raw and authentic.

9. 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔

Before I do anything, I sit down at my desk, pick up my journal and write out what I have to do for the day.

Usually, it’s between 1-4 most important tasks

Besides my task list, I like to ask myself questions like “How can I make today a great day?” What could I do today to make tomorrow better? ” What would the future me tell me to do today?”

Great way to gain perspective

10. 𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒

A big part of my Journaling is not only giving advice to myself, but also advice for future generations.

Before I write, I imagine my future grandchildren picking up my notebook and reading it.

What advice could I give myself now that could potentially help them in the future?

So not only am I helping myself, I’m helping anyone who stumbles across my notebook.

Besides advice, the memory log is a part of this future writing as well.

I always thought it would be cool to have my family read about me long after I’m gone.

They wouldn’t have to wonder what I’m like, because they could read how my mind worked, what my ideas were & what I did with my life.

I’m leaving it for them...and to me, that’s beautiful.

Thanks for reading

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