How A Daily Journal Can Save Your Mind
The first expression I learned while living in Australia was “No worries,”— meaning “do not worry.” or “no problem.”
I said this phrase a lot when I wanted to show I was calm even if I was not.
A year before the pandemic, I lived alone in the Philippines. I was coming to terms with the end of a 10-year relationship. I was not in the healthiest and happiest place.
I kept reminding myself that time heals.
Then it hit me—time gives you space. But inaction blocks any healing.
I started with the simplest changes. I cooked food that made me happy. And I exercised to get endorphins. The feeling of happiness was fleeting.
So, one day, I committed to a daily journal. I used the ‘Daily Stoic’ as my everyday prompt. Because if I were to write the anxieties I had at that time, the notebook would turn into a dark cloud over me. That was not the goal.
There were days I wrote pages of self-reflection.
There were days I wrote one word.
There were days that all I could write were three dots.
After a year, I noticed my happiness lasted longer. I no longer kept saying, “no worries.” when I didn’t mean it. I was comfortable with the worries.
This daily journal exercise taught me that you don’t need to pretend that there are “no worries.” And sometimes, a little note to oneself can save your life.
