Memory is a funny thing. Fleeting, intangible, with a habit of playing hide and seek among the nooks of your brain. What is your happies memory? Do you even remember it well?
One of the most helpful daily habits I’ve picked up and stuck with over the years is journaling. Yes, how stereotypical, another person who claims journaling changed their perception of existence.
Well, it didn’t.
But it sure helps me remember.
I can pinpoint the day and even hour of my happiest experience from last year. Even the exact words spoken during that moment, how I cried afterwards, and how it was all perfectly fine from then onwards.
Why did I start writing down every memory in my journals?
If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience gaslighting, you will know its long-term effects on preserving memories. When certain dynamics got to a point where I began questioning every thought and recollection I started writing things down.
Did it slip out of my mind?
Why do I feel confusion and disconnect between my recollections and reality?
- If you are put in a position where you question your own thoughts and instincts it’s time to start writing.
- If my memories are not “correctly” preserved in my brain, they’re etched into my journal with such clarity that I can almost relive them.
- Journaling helped me repair the severed bonds of trust between my lived experiences and what I’m being told happened. Daily writing helped me heal after experiencing gaslighting. My notebook is holding my own brain accountable for making things up or when others attempt to twist their words.
Interestingly enough, most of the time I don’t even re-read my journal entries. (Except for those special days, like my happiest memory, or to reflect on a life lesson.)
Writing in my daily journal helps me remember things without having to go back and “study” my personal notes.
It is actually a proven fact that writing things down, especially on paper, helps preserve more accurate recollections of events rather than relying on memorizing things as they go.
Thousands of think pieces are written yearly about the benefits of journaling. Here is a rundown of how daily writing helps me and why I’ll never stop doing it:
Memory retention
As already explained, journaling helps you capture and retain precious moments in vivid detail. Every time you write something in your journal it helps clarify your thoughts and make sense of complex situations.
Self-reflection and self-discovery
Your journal is your own personal safe space for self-reflection, helping you gain insights into your thoughts and emotions. Later down the line you can always revisit your journal entries and make sense of your past and present experiences.
Emotional release and stress reduction
If you are a writer of any kind, you know that writing can be cathartic, allowing you to release pent-up emotions and stress. As people say, when you want to send an angry text just write it down, re-read it and then delete it. Journaling is that thing but for all the angry texts your brain keeps sending. Better put them on paper than out there into the world.
Setting goals and tracking progress
You can use journal in more practical ways to set and track personal and professional goals. When you’re tracking your daily progress it is easier to see how much you’ve done and what works for you. This is especially useful for those who are creative and spontaneous. 🙋 Writing regularly boosts creativity and problem-solving skills, even if it’s just for 15 minutes a day.
So do you remember your happies moments?
Even if you recall everything, by incorporating journaling into your daily routine, you can reap many benefits and remember your happiest memories with crystal clarity.
Next time you feel like screaming out of joy or anger, jot down every detail in your journal, from the color of the leaves to the exact phrasing of the spoken words that day.
And you know what? When you revisit that journal entry, you’ll be transported back to that place, feeling the crisp air on your skin and hearing those words.
Journaling is a tool that allows us to capture the beauty of moments, preserving them for the future. So, the next time you find yourself pondering your happiest memory, consider picking up a journal.
Photo by Noémi Macavei-Katócz on Unsplash
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