“In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself.”
Susan Sontag, American writer, filmmaker, philosopher, teacher, and political activist.
How was your 2018? Did it exceed your expectations? Did you struggle? What were the highlights? The low points? Do you know, or was it all just a blur?
Memory is a funny thing. It has a tendency to decay and change. Our recollection of a year might well be colored by our current mood, or simply erased over time. Even seemingly momentous events can quickly become dim once they’re a year, five, or even a decade behind us.
One practice I highly recommend for 2019 is journaling. If you’ve never kept a journal, you may not realize how even a simple, 5-minute recap of the day can come in handy down the line. Some people like to start their day with reflections, while others like to sum it up before sundown. Others spend an hour or more each day, processing emotions, current events, or family matters.
Regardless of how you go about it, journaling has a tremendous number of benefits. You might not realize how many. Check out this article from Mission Podcasts: “Why Keeping a Journal Could Change Your Life.”
Whether you pick up a pen and an old legal pad, or download an app to track your days, I highly recommend picking up the practice of journaling in 2019. Give yourself the free space to track, reflect, and gain insight into your life.
