How Journaling Has Changed My Productivity
I’ve shared in some of my writing updates that I started journaling again. I used to journal every day and then I stopped in mid 2020 because I was in just such a dark place mentally. Over a year later, I've picked it back up and it has been a game changer in my anxiety and productivity.
Journaling doesn’t have to be deep or dramatic. It doesn’t have to be a vent session. It can be making a list of all the thing you’d like to get done that day. Or it can be a place where you let go of all the fears you’re holding onto. It can also be somewhere you pour your heart into.
My journal process is different every day but I still do it every day. Some things I write about:
Morning Brain Dumps—What am I hoping to accomplish today? What deadlines do I need to meet? How did I sleep? How am I feeling?
The best part of the brain dump is that you just write whatever first comes to mind and sometimes it can evolve. It can be one or two sentences or maybe three pages. Just go with the flow!
2. Creative Ideas—Obviously I have to tap into quite a bit of creative brain power for my job so sometimes I’ll just get out all the ideas I have or ones that hit me while writing so that they are down on paper. This helps me make more room in my brain for what I need to focus on that particular day.
3. Anxiety—When I am feeling really anxious, which does happen a lot, journaling is a great way for me to put those anxieties on paper. It helps me recognize my triggers and that I am not so far gone into an episode that I can’t pull myself back. That sounds dramatic, but as a chronic overthinker, sometimes it can be debilitating and that’s okay!
4. Short Term and Long Term Goals—I’ve always been an ambitious person and as I’ve settled into a slower paced lifestyle, I still like to check in with my long term goals!
By giving myself at least a couple minutes every day to just get everything out on paper, my productivity and confidence has soared. I’ve missed feeling this way and journaling is a small thing that really makes me feel like I have control. If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend!