Hey there, it's 2024! You know the drill—new year, new habits. We hit the gym (good luck finding an open treadmill in January) and try to eat more greens. Apart from these obvious ones, there are a few more which have been helpful to me.
The first one is journalling.
I wasn't always the type to jot things down. Seemed a bit pointless, you know? So, why have I stuck with it since 2019, and what's the deal? It all started in trying to get kids to start a gratitude journal. I thought I would write a line or two of gratitude. Inspired by folks like James Clear, Ryan Holiday (a great resource), and Matthew McConaughey (who's been at it since he was 13), I thought, why not give journalling a try?
Here's what makes it into my daily scribbles now (a line each in a section of the book dedicated to each topic):
A quick rundown of the day, with a tiny exercise log at the side (think "swim 30min" or "walk 45min").
The most important thing of the day—the big stuff like decisions or financial moves.
Gratitude check. It was tough at first, but now it's like second nature. Many religions have built expressing gratitude into the daily ritual and there is a good reason for it.
Sleep report, including hours and quality, with a side column for the meditation log.
Lessons learned. Started this during the COVID era, and now I've got over a thousand lines of daily insights.
Flip to the back pages, and you'll find my thoughts on books, movie ratings, and my favourite spots to eat and drink.
So, what's in it for me?
Gratitude shifts my focus to the positive.
Tracks patterns and habits. Skip a workout? It's right there, staring at me. Self-monitoring is vital in the journey of self-improvement.
Locks in memories.
Sharpens communication skills. There's something about putting thoughts on paper. Clarifies thoughts.
Goal setting. A line about tomorrow's goals does the trick.
A safe space for emotions = less stress.
This year, I'm adding a Life Plan Review section. Intrigued? Read more about it here.
Next up on the habit train: meditation.
Been doing Pranayama for 18 years, but serious meditation kicked in after reading A Million Thoughts by Om Swami. Shoutout to Dr. Karuna Kabadi for the recommendation. I swear by it now, and you can start with apps like Headspace/Buddhify or join a meditation course.
Sure, these habits might not make it to your Insta feed like workout (or Strava stats) pics do, but they've fine-tuned my life—better time management, improved relationships, a sense of fulfilment and even anger management. So, what's holding you back? If you're curious, reach out to me. I'm just an amateur, but I'm here for you.
Rightly said, the missed workout stares back at you ;) Meditating, Journaling and Daily Gratitude notes have been game changers for me.
What do you think about writing on iPad or phone vs on paper? I feel like writing on paper is more relaxing but phone is more accessible both to jot down as well as to review