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Figuring Things Out

How not to journal

Published about 20 hours ago • 1 min read

How not to journal

Read on my website​

Hi Reader,

I tend to skip the process whenever I can. I look forward only to the goal. This would explain why I’ve dabbled with so many things.

I’ve been pulled by the result something might bring, rather than appreciating the process.

Journaling has been one of those things.

I journal now and then, but I used to do it every day, primarily to understand myself better.

I watched a video about journaling recently. The narrator discussed ways to approach journaling.

Because of the way it is branded, we often end up trying to make revelations out of this practice of journaling. We reflect internally, but it doesn’t happen naturally. We, therefore, end up giving up.

There was an excellent analogy he used: If you just met someone, would you ask them, “What do you want out of life?” or would you ease them into the conversation by starting with the weather?

For a conversation to be most genuine, it’s better to let it unfold naturally rather than you consciously trying to focus on something.

Focused writing is still sometimes needed, but journaling is not the place for that.

Start by talking about something near you. Perhaps write about what you see outside the window, or about something physical, rather than starting with what you’re feeling.

Reflecting externally often leads to internal reflection. An even better perk is that it happens without any force; it happens naturally.

Start with:

What do I know?

I’ll see you next week.

Warmly,
Suraj

If you'd like to hear more from me, here's my YouTube channel where I share lessons, experiments, tools, and resources to make life just a little better.

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Figuring Things Out

By Suraj Chaudhary

One lesson, thought, or resource to living a fuller life every week.

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