I Journaled Every Day For 90 Days. Here’s What I Learned

“Your journal is like your best friend. You don’t have to pretend with it, you can be honest and write exactly how you feel” – Bukola Ogunwale

A little more than three months ago, I embarked on a journey — one that required neither a rucksack nor a plane ticket. Instead, all I needed was a notebook and a pen.

I decided to journal every single day for 90 days, come rain or shine. No excuses. Just words on paper, day after day.

Now, as I’ve crossed the finish line of this self-imposed challenge, I’m here to share the invaluable insights I’ve gained, hopefully inspiring you to give this powerful tool a shot.

Let me start by addressing the elephant in the room. In a world where we tweet thoughts, post highlights, and upload stories, isn’t journaling a bit old school?

You might even think, “It’s 2024, for crying out loud!” Well, my friends, the beauty of journaling lies in its timeless appeal.

Journaling has nothing to do with showcasing our lives to others; it’s about exploring our inner world and discovering the magic within.

Now, onto my adventure!

Lesson #1: I’m a great listener — to everyone except myself

Most of us spend our days listening to others, be it through meetings, phone calls, podcasts, or social media.

But in that process, we often drown out the most important voice — our own.

In the first few days of journaling, I was astounded by the thoughts and feelings that surfaced, which I’d previously been too busy or too distracted to acknowledge.

My journal served as a platform for my inner self to be heard, and boy, did it have a lot to say.

Lesson #2: My mind is an ocean — sometimes calm, often stormy

Through journaling, I was able to see my thought patterns like never before.

Some days, my journal entries were as calm as a serene ocean, while on others, they resembled raging waves during a tempest. Emotions, fears, dreams, frustrations — they all made appearances.

It was a daily exercise in understanding that our minds, much like the ocean, have ebbs and flows. Recognizing this helped me learn to navigate my mental seascape better.

Lesson #3: The past is not a prison

By writing about my experiences, I found that I was able to see my past in a new light. Mistakes were not catastrophic failures, but stepping stones.

Regrets weren’t shackles, but guides showing me a better way forward.

Journaling became a form of self-forgiveness and a process of releasing the grip of past events.

Lesson #4: The future is a canvas

Journaling didn’t just make me a historian of my past; it also made me an architect of my future.

I was able to plan, dream, and visualize like never before.

My entries brimmed with ideas, goals, and hopes, all of which I could revisit, refine, and re-imagine as many times as I wanted.

My journal turned out to be a priceless tool for personal growth and development.

Lesson #5: Gratitude is not just a buzzword

Before journaling, I thought of gratitude as one of those things people harp on without truly understanding its depth.

Boy, was I wrong!

Journaling forced me to slow down and appreciate the small wonders in my life. I realized that gratitude is like a lens that helps you see the world in a richer, more meaningful way.

Lesson #6: Solitude is a gift

As an age-old practice, journaling is rooted in solitude.

In a world that’s constantly buzzing with distractions, dedicating time each day to sit in silence and reflect was, without a doubt, one of the best parts of this 90-day journey.

It became a sacred space of calm amidst the storm of daily life.

Lesson #7: I am enough

This, I believe, was the most profound lesson of all.

Through journaling, I saw my strengths, my weaknesses, my triumphs, and my failures. I saw all parts of me — and I accepted them.

It wasn’t about becoming perfect; it was about understanding and accepting that I am a work in progress.

And you know what? That’s okay.

That’s more than okay — it’s human.

So, there you have it — my seven profound insights from 90 days of journaling.

From being a better listener to myself, navigating my mental ocean, reframing my past and future, cultivating gratitude, relishing solitude, to accepting myself wholeheartedly, this journey has been nothing short of transformational.

I’m not here to tell you that journaling is a miracle cure for all life’s challenges. Nor am I saying it’s the only tool for self-discovery.

But what I can say, with certainty, is that it’s a mighty powerful one.

If you’re teetering on the edge of whether to start journaling or not, I urge you to take the plunge.

Give yourself permission to spend a few minutes each day with your thoughts and a pen. You might be surprised at what you find.

It’s not about the perfect start; it’s about starting. After all, every epic journey begins with a single step — or in this case, a single word.

I’ll only live once, and this is a record of the life I’m living.

All the best.

-Zohvib

P.S. If you want to receive some personal coaching. I might be able to help. Tailor-made solutions to take your writing to the next level.

Here’s how.