“If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured, and unique individual, keep a journal.” – Jim Rohn

My journaling story started long ago.

I was 12 years old, and I read a story in the American Girl magazine about a fictional girl named Amelia who had a journal. In this journal, she drew pictures, doodled, chronicled her life, and wrote down her thoughts and frustrations. (I believe it was an excerpt from this book.)

I wanted to be Amelia.

(You don’t have to want to be Amelia, though you may want to hear me out about the benefits of reflective writing.)

And like that, I was a journaler— and ever since, journaling has been a somewhat constant companion. This practice of journaling has gotten me through life’s struggles and successes, breakups, breakdowns, and important pivotal moments. Do I neglect this “companion” from time to time? Sure. But when I’m routinely faithful to my pen and book, my life goes a whole lot more smoothly.

And it turns out it’s not just my own hunch or speculation, there’s a whole host of scientific data touting journaling as a truly health-promoting practice.

• Reflective writing has also been shown to improve decision-making and critical thinking.
• Journaling helps improve well-being after traumatic and stressful events.
• Evening reflective writing can improve your performance by 25%.
• Writing “focused on positive outcomes in negative situations” decreases emotional distress.
• Bedtime journaling allows you to fall asleep faster by decreasing cognitive stimulus, rumination, and worry.
• Reflective writing reduces “avoidant thoughts about negative events” and improves working memory.

Suddenly journaling sounds a lot less like “dear diary” and a lot more like, “hello happiness.” But I talk more about it in the video. Let’s jump into it…

Interested in learning more about studying holistic nutrition at IIN? Here are some resources for you: Sample Class,* Curriculum Syllabus.*

Find a notebook, your favorite pen (I like these erasable ones), and write for at least five minutes for the next seven days. That’s it.

If you’re joining me on this journaling challenge, please let me know by leaving me a comment, and/or tagging me on Instagram. Let’s support each other!

Wishing you all a wonderful week, hopefully filled with insights, relief, better sleep and a whole lotta writing.