One of my goals for 2018 was to take time for myself. Take time to enjoy each day as it goes by and create lasting memories. Taking care of myself also means taking the time to reflect on both the good and bad of every day. For many years I have tried to maintain a Diary or some sort of Journal to no avail. Either because I did not know what to write or I simply forgot to write. Then forgot the next night... Until I completely forgot that I had a Journal in the first place. 

READ MORE: Starting a Bullet Journal

WHY I STARTED JOURNALING

The past two years have really opened my eyes to many realizations. My family and I have gone through some major losses and monumental events that will change our lives forever. When you go through a traumatic experience, it changes you in ways that you could have never imagined. Truthfully, I believe this is the first time I have ever spoken about this experience in my life on my website. Although it is still a tough subject to speak about, I still wanted to share because I know there might be other's sharing a similar experience. Last year, I lost my father to Cancer.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR

For now, I won't elaborate too much. But mainly, I was never truly close with my father and understood that that was probably how it was going to be for the rest of my life. When he got sick, the realization forced me to deal with a lot of issues I had never spoken about or dealt with my entire life. 

There were so many emotions that I felt during that time, and often still feel now. From sadness to anger, hopelessness, and even numbness. It is a place that I have been before in my life during my teenage years. For that reason, I knew that I had to do something to forgo that downward spiral into depression. 

I was determined not to repeat the dark times I endured in my adolescence. I was also determined to maintain my overarching goal for the new year of remembering the good in the year, not just the bad. With dried eyes, I went to my local Chapters and picked out a lined notebook. Leather bound, black and simple, just how I like it. I hopped on Pinterest and sought out monthly journal logs until I happened on 30 Days of Self Love. It was just what I needed. 

In addition to my One A Day Grateful Jar, I wrote out all the journal entries in this blank notebook for the next 30 days and set a reminder on my phone to make sure I don't skip a day. I am proud to say that I have successfully stuck to 30 days of Journalling. 

30-DAY REFLECTION

Now, at the end of my 30 days, I feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I set out a goal and stuck to it. I was honestly the longest consecutive journaling I have ever done and the daily reflections have really allowed me to think about the emotions I have been feeling. I really enjoyed that they weren't all centered around one specific event (much like the one I experienced). It was more-so focused on mental health, self-discovery, and self-awareness. As a student of Psychology, I found this really intriguing and I loving taking the time to psycho-analyze myself. In reality, I do it on a daily basis, but I have never recorded my thoughts.

At the end of the month, I took the time to read over my journal entries and surprised myself at how my tone, length of entry and vivid detail progressed. I actually do feel a lot better my writing about it (go figure). 

I truly recommend starting a prompted journal to those who have trouble (like me) free-writing in a Diary. This month, I started my 30 days of Gratitude and I will definitely update at the end of my 30 days and fill you in on how it's going. Mental health is something that should be addressed, monitored and worked on every day as with diet, sleep, and exercise. It has become an open conversation in my family, my friend circle and to myself and I hope it becomes a part of yours as well. 

xoxo