Why I Journal & Plan to keep Grounded
To be more precise, I mean journaling as reflecting, taking two steps back to go forward, and planning as setting intentions for life to the full during my current season in life.
This blog is about the practice of journaling and planning that has impacted my marriage and business.
There is one thing I detest the most: doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Do I do that? You may ask. Of course, I do! Hence my intense dislike. Yes, strong words on this topic. If you’ve been following me and this blog, you know writing for this blog, and my YouTube Channel is my accountability to self-responsibility and my journey of
Self-compassion
As you can read, I’m still on the path of empathy and compassion. There is much grace in the practice of being and receiving, and it’s easier for me to look forward to things and give. So let me share how I got to this path of journaling and planning in my life. Let’s start in the Preface of the book called My Life.
It starts at low points of ungratefulness towards my husband. It’s crazy how the ones we love the most get to experience the darkest side of our human character. In the fall of 2015, I made the leap of faith to move into Jimmy’s childhood home to start and build YSuperstars.
Downgrading was a sacrifice.
People don’t usually go from a 2-bedroom apartment to a 1-bedroom studio-like apartment. I was determined, didn’t fully count the cost, and went all in. I then found myself criticizing my husband for not wanting to venture with me.
“Quit your job! Let’s do this together!”
Looking back, I’m so grateful that Jimmy stayed his ground. At the moment, I felt alone, and I used to say, “I’m a fish in a forest looking for my ocean.” So I spent months comparing the stories of people who went all in with a spouse/partner/sibling and made it happen, becoming more bitter every day.
That’s the best picture I found of a bitter child. And that is what comes of me when I consider myself a victim of my current situation. And it was an online course that helped me to understand that there’s no “arriving” or being a content person as a character trait.
It is about intentional practice.
I don’t remember exactly how I got to the course website (I’m sure social media led me to it) but what caught my attention were the books on the webpage that I had read that very season and throughout my self-development journey.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 4-Hour Workweek, Think and Grow Rich, and others. The Headline was something along the lines of how I can make it PRACTICAL and integrate it into my life.
I wondered why I read so many books and still feel unsatisfied with my life. And it turned out that the feeling was ungrateful and unhappy with me. The course was extensive on what I’m really in control of - you guessed it - me! I knew this intellectually; however, emotionally, I was a mess and still saw it as a child. The hard truth surfaced during this course.
Adulting is about my self-responsibility
And I’m responsible for my feelings too! I know it’s much easier to blame others, like your spouse, in my case, Jimmy! So one of this course’s exercises that made the most significant impact was his Gratitude Journal which included my daily achievements parallel to my gratitude and appreciation. One came with the other, and I spent from May 2016 to August 2016 with this practice.
And something exciting happened!
I looked up! No need to have a Viewing machine to experience the beautiful sunset. One afternoon, I had a moment crying in my bedroom when I asked myself, “Would I be any happier to have a business partner and 100 subscribers for my YouTube Channel?” The answer was NO. I cannot change my husband; I cannot control the speed of his growth and understanding. I can only manage what I can see and feel for myself. I said,
“Today, I worked hard and gave my very best.”
And then, I got specific with a list of the things I accomplished, seeing how much I have grown in those four months. I did all those things by myself and for myself, and I got to experience my growth. Was it perfect? Absolutely not! The beauty of that day was that the sun was setting.
“Don’t I need a rest too??”
It reminded me of another sad day in Florida during a breathtaking sunset when I thought about God’s reminder that all was well. The day is over, and tomorrow is another day at sunrise.
This journaling exercise was a healing experience of my appreciation for the work I do every day of life. It is helping me to focus on myself. The more I journal about my journey, the less worried I am about someone else pace and timing. What was even more exciting for me was the end days of the
People Pleasing.
Reflecting on my day and myself leads to setting an intention (planning) for what I get to watch out for. The shocker here turns out I had plenty of growing. And I don’t mean it in the self-improving craziness; I mean it in noticing my emotions, feelings, and, most importantly, my patterns and habits.
It takes more than 21 days to change a habit!
I’m so glad many books and research back up this concept; I’m sharing from experience. I’m so sick and tired of the instant gratification nonsense our society and media lie to us. Hence this blog and everything I’m committed to doing with my company YSuperstars!
So when I’m able to sit in silence, and write my reflections about either the day before or what is on my mind, it guides my next steps. Some of my friends think that plan what color socks I’m going to wear a week in advance because I say I love my planner or to plan.
I call it setting intentions
Because I am currently in a habit of reflecting, I am learning more about my patterns and I’m able to experiment and see what works and actually helps. I have been in a practice of setting daily themes for my work days. It helps me to look forward and stay focus.
Journal and planning are like bookends to me
My Journaling and Planning are my daily grounding practice because they are my compass and reminder that there is sunrise and sunset. There is much to learn in my personal life, especially my marriage, that keeps me very grounded to my self-responsibility as well as an encouragement to my self-compassion.
I am blessed to work from home, and the practice of journaling and planning has helped me to be more solution-oriented. I’m getting good at turning my mistakes as wisdom for my next project and prepare better when I’m closing a contract. I am growing my network, and therefore, my profits.
I’ll love to read your reasons and/or hesitations for journaling and planning your days. As always, please share this blog with a friend.
Love,
Me.
