Importance of Journaling

“History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” - David McCullough

One of the things that we often talk about at Summit Ascent is the importance of journaling. Journaling helps in a plethora of ways.

When your mind is racing and you are not able to stop the thoughts, journaling can help get the thoughts out of your head and on to the paper. Thoughts become more manageable when you are able to read them because the thoughts become external and no longer internal. Many people are better able to organize things externally (like creating lists) compared to when things are still internal. You have the ability to work out and process whatever is troubling you. Journaling also becomes a repository of memory. If you are like me, it’s unlikely you will remember what you thinking about or struggling against a year from now. Events and insights tend to fade with time. Sometimes our insights are merged into our daily life and become who we are, sometimes they are forgotten by the wayside.

I was recently reminded of the benefits of journaling when I came across an old journal from 15 years ago. It had the remarkable in it, like my trips to Africa and Europe, but also the mundane, like meals and meetings that occurred. I remembered the trips well, but forgot some of the smaller details that my journal captured. I was also struck by the struggles I was going through at the time – looking for real relationships and figuring out what to do with my life.

Back then the struggle was very real and very difficult. I will admit that in the passing of time I had forgotten how confusing life had been. I realized how much I have grown as a person. Re-reading my journal was an affirming and encouraging way to spend an afternoon.

The journey continues...

#Journaling #Seeing #Relationships