Why Writing in A Journal Every Day is a Serious Game Changer

What a profound experience it has been, looking back.

Two months into writing, 2022. Taken by me of me =)

I started writing every day at possibly the most inconvenient time. I was living and working on a boat. My hours were long and my days started very early. I decided that that was the time to start writing first thing every morning.

I got the idea from the most amazing book for the creative soul, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I was living in Scotland at the time with a very beautiful and eccentric family. One of the sons was a performance artist and he knew I wanted to get back into writing. He recommended this book with words that have stuck with me. He said,

“Don’t read this book if you want to have a fun time. Read this book because you want to change your life.”

It resonated so strongly with me that I ordered it that night.

The Artist’s Way and my second notebook, 2022. Taken by me =)

It is essentially a 12-week “program” step by step on how to claim (or for some, reclaim) your artistic abilities. In the first week, we start what is called “the morning pages” which is essentially writing three pages of thoughts first thing every morning. An endless stream of consciousness, uninterrupted and unedited. Whatever comes to your mind, you put on the page. If nothing comes to mind, you put that down too, until you have three pages.

So I have done just that.

For five months.

Through working 12 hours days, living on a boat, traveling around an entire country, flying back and forth from the States, starting a new relationship, learning Spanish, getting a new apartment, and starting a virtual freelance business.

Me writing at sunrise somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. 2022. Taken by me =)

Last night, I read the first few entries and it was eye-opening. I struggled. A LOT. I talked a lot about nothing and how my hand kept cramping up from writing. When I actually had something to say, it was messy and scattered.

NOTE- That is the PURPOSE of the morning pages- to be messy and scattered.

It is an endless stream of consciousness, after all. I took that part very seriously. I didn’t want to overthink my writing. I wanted to be unfiltered.

Now, I am only analyzing my beginning stages because I am five months in and want to see my progress. Had I done this in my second week, I probably would have quit. Which why it is important for you to not read your previous days until you are at least 12 weeks in as the book suggests.

Fast forward to the end of month three and I was shocked.

I had quotes and content worthy of publication.

I had insight and value in my words.

I was still consciously writing whatever comes to my mind but it was coming out much more articulate and powerful.

Commitment. 2022. Taken by me =)

I didn’t write every day as I should have. I wasn't perfect and I want to stress this not because I want you to slack off on your writing, but because we are all human. We will have days where it just doesn't happen or days you find yourself melancholic and THAT IS OKAY.

We must be firm with ourselves to accomplish our goals, but we also must have forgiveness and understanding when we fall short of our expectations.

I have found that the harder I am with myself, the worse I perform.

When I am extremely tough on myself, one of two things happens-

I fall prey to my own judgment and scrutiny and therefore cannot perform even semi-well, which validates my inner negativity

OR

I don't even try again at all.

Therefore, I have gaps in my writing. Days where there is nothing. I tried my best to make up for it on other days- writing four, five, or even six pages a day. But this exercise doesn't work that way.

Writing everywhere. Puerto Viejo, CR. 2022. Taken by me =)

The most important thing I have learned from writing every day is how freaking important consistency is. The second is effort- without truly trying to do my best every time, the consistency would be pointless.

My drive had to outweigh my fears. I had to stop taking life so seriously and throw out toxic ideals of what a writer looks like. I had to blindly believe in myself.

I learned that I was perfectly capable of changing my routine. Of prioritizing ambiguous things while holding hope that they will benefit future me. taking baby steps every day. being okay without instant gratification.

Just as important as all of that- I became a better writer. The outcome that I did not see coming but makes perfect sense. Everything takes practice, even learning to walk and talk. What is any different about writing?

This journey is one all artists dream of and I hope it has been inspirational for you. To get up and do the tough stuff, the boring stuff, the seemingly mundane stuff every day. Until one day you look back and see your bloom =)