Journaling, is it worth it?
Writing in a journal each day allows you to direct your focus to what you accomplished, what you’re grateful for and what you’re committed to doing better tomorrow. Thus, you more deeply enjoy your journey each day.” — Hal Elrod
My first contact with journaling came a few years ago after reading The Mental Game of Poker by Jared Tendler. Despite that, I never really got in the habit of doing as it didn’t feel natural to me.
It wasn’t until a particularly bad day at the poker tables that I decided to try and let the frustration go by pasting my emotions on a blank page. I was surprisingly calm after that. Then, I started writing occasional lines on a notebook reserved for any poker related stuff.
Turns out that the simple actions of writing down your thoughts allows you to free space in your brain that would otherwise be cluttered with unimportant thoughts most of the times. On one post I read a while ago, Bryan Ye says his favorite type of journaling is morning pages from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s basically you in the morning writing down until you fill up three full pages by hand. Looking forward to getting the book but until then I’m going for one full page.
Unfortunately, it’s not ingrained in me just yet but I’m trying to do it in the mornings as well.
During an unfortunate event in the country (more about it on a different post) was the first time that I actually made it on consecutive days. It was a way to vent all the frustration that was building inside of me. In my relationship, I’m the calm and rational one while my wife is more emotional, during that period I had to work extra hard to keep my head up high for both of us. She always tells me I’m her rock and during the blackout, I chose not to break so I could be there for her and we could both be there for our son.
I started carrying my journal on the computer’s bag along with the pen I specifically use for it. Every morning the first thing I do after sitting in the office is filling up that page with my thoughts, worries and whatever else I have in my mind. Should probably do it first time in the morning but as long as I do it during the first few hours of the day it works out just fine for me.
“Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding.” — Jennifer Williamson
Is it worth it? I’d say it is but also feel the benefits come from doing it long term, just like meditation. Currently on my second week but going strong and really enjoying the process. It’s just one of those things you didn’t think you’d need until you try it out, just give it a shot and take it from there.
If you’re interested in poker and want to follow my journey through the microstakes you can follow me here.
