Discovering the Power of Journaling: The Importance of Accumulating Achievements

When I first started journaling, my main goal was to find emotional balance. During moments of anxiety or emotional turbulence, I would write down my thoughts, helping me calm down. This practice served as a mental outlet, providing immediate relief. However, over time, I realized that something was missing. For a while, I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Through trial and error, I began to understand what I needed. In my earlier days, I struggled with low self-esteem. Even now, there are moments when negative thoughts surface during low periods, but these moments have significantly decreased. I’ve often wondered why my self-esteem was so low in the past. Why did I always feel inadequate and defeated? Why was there always a lingering sadness? My focus was always on what I lacked. It felt like I was defined by the things I didn’t have, leading to a pervasive sense of inferiority.

But everything changed when I refined my journaling technique. One major breakthrough was starting to document my achievements, praise I received, successes, moments of joy, and fortunate experiences as a separate category in a dedicated Google Docs. This practice marked a significant shift. I realized that the absence of accumulated lists was what I had been missing all along.

I’d like to share a glimpse of how I approach this. As an example, I use a document titled “AchievedInThePast“, which is an evolving record of milestones I’ve reached. It is just one example, but it’s arguably the most powerful method I use.

Google Docs: “AchievedInThePast”

Most recent entries at the top

Age XX:

• Completed the XX course.
• Continued with XX for over a year (MM/YYYY).
• Finished a trip to XX.
• Felt a sense of accomplishment after achieving XX.
• Successfully attempted XX.
• Kept up with XX for six months (MM/YYYY).
• Visited the exhibition I’d long wanted to see.
• Continuing with the XX I had always wanted to try.
• Acquired XX.
• Started XX.
• Took on the role of XX.
• Gained practical experience in a new field through exposure to XX at work.

Age XX:

• Discovered an efficient method called XX.
• Began XX.
• Concluded after research that stopping XX was the right decision.
• Saw progress in XX.
• Understood XX.
• Experienced XX.
• Invested in XX.
• Managed to do XX, which I couldn’t do before.
• Started an initiative involving XX.
• Tried XX and felt a sense of satisfaction.
• Solved XX.

The Power of Accumulation

Documenting achievements like this has allowed me to revisit moments long forgotten and appreciate how I overcame challenges and sought out goals. When I read through these records, I’m reminded of how I felt in those moments—the drive to achieve and the satisfaction of success. It makes me realize how far I’ve come and fills me with warmth.

This practice has highlighted a valuable lesson: forgetting past accomplishments is a significant loss. These experiences are uniquely mine, and cherishing them has become a key factor in nurturing my self-esteem.

While “AchievedInThePast” is just one of the documents I use, it’s been among the most effective. I have other lists as well, which I’ll cover in future posts.

I encourage you to try this method. If you have your own ways of journaling or practices that have worked for you, I’d love to hear about them. Journaling has profoundly impacted me, and I intend to keep it as a lifelong habit. I’m always eager to discover new, effective techniques, so please share if you have any insights!

About Me: Hi, I’m Evolving Mind. Through this blog, I share my journey of self-discovery and mental well-being. Journaling has been a powerful tool for me, and I hope to inspire others to find their own path to peace and clarity.