How and why I journal for mental clarity

I have been keeping track of my days digitally for the last 4 -5 years. I create a monthly calendar and write down what I did each day in three or four words. It might seem like a simple thing to do, but it’s less about the words and more about the sentiment and the vibrant picture it paints of my life. Over time, it has turned out to be a great tool to remember what I did at a specific date or how I spent my year. It looks like the example below:

SEPTEMBER

1 – Wed: Got back home from the Gökçeada trip

2 – Thu: Biked from Balat to Karaköy

3 – Fri: Dinner with friends at Taksim

When I first started journaling, I used to write my daily entries, to-do lists, and goals on paper. After a while, it turned out to be a pain to navigate through them. I decided to go totally digital. I now use Notion as my primary tool. I can easily create my own template to keep track of my day, my habits, and my goals. It works very well and I intend to continue using it.

But, I still need to use pen and paper sometimes cause there is a physical aspect to it that no digital platform can beat. I don’t have to stick with the software’s instructions and can get creative on paper. I can write in any form instantly or draw whatever I want. It helps me to clear my mind and find solutions to the problem I’m having at that moment.

Morning pages

In addition to my daily digital logs and occasional analog note-taking, I started to keep a morning journal. There are no specific rules, I just write down whatever comes to my mind at that moment: “What am I thinking about? What am I grateful for? How do I feel?” It just takes 5 minutes but I find great value in it.

• It provides a clear picture of what you’re thinking.
• It encourages raw expression.
• It is a good way to meditate.
• It allows you to visualize.
• It helps to cage the monkey mind.
• It provides a discipline of self-reflection.
• It gives you a perspective on how your emotional state is evolving.