Why I journal every day

Last week, I started a new chapter in my life with Aviva, joining the People Transformation and Talent team in Perth.

As a Leadership Facilitator, I’m part of a small team delivering an exciting new programme called “Lead the Way”, a people solution designed to shape and support leadership for the future.

In my first few days, as I’ve met with new colleagues, both individually and as a group, one theme keeps coming up: curiosity.

It’s something the CEO herself has mentioned constantly as I’ve listened to her messages.

It’s something we all seem to share.

One of the most frequent questions I’ve been asked is, “And what do you like to do?”

That’s led me to share something quite personal: my passion for journaling.

Since January 1st, 1978, I’ve kept a daily journal.

That’s over 17,000 + entries and it tends to surprise people, because it’s not exactly a common habit.

But for me, it’s a practice that has grown more valuable with time.

There’s something powerful about taking a moment each day to write down what matters.

It’s a place where I can treasure up the things that I’ve seen and heard.

The more I write, frequently, the more insights come.

Thoughts that might otherwise drift away take shape and stay with me.

And occasionally, it becomes even more useful than I expect.

That reminds me, last week, two friends asked me about a specific date in 1998. They needed a bit of detail from that day; I’d better check my journal for them!

Journaling helps me pay attention.

It’s where I record the things that mean the most in life.

It’s part reflection, part record-keeping and part therapy.

Many have written today about how journaling can benefit your mental health.

And it’s one of the most consistent sources of clarity I’ve known.

The best time to start journaling was yesterday, the next best time is today!

What’s one moment from this week you wouldn’t want to forget?