THE TWO-JOURNAL METHOD: MY JOURNEY TO A LIFE-CHANGING SYSTEM

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Relax and journal
Photo by Katya Wolf: https://www.pexels.com

I started December 2024 with reflection and self-evaluation. I picked up my journal to review all the moments from this year. Honestly, I felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation—I was about to take a trip down memory lane, revisiting not just the good times but also the stress, pressure, and challenges I faced.

Unlike previous years, this time, I used a different journaling system. I kept a primary journal specifically for recording the lessons I learned along the way. This approach makes it so much easier to revisit and relearn those lessons. It also serves as a comforting reminder whenever I feel low. In a way, it feels like I’m creating a personalized guidebook for my life.

As I was reading through my journal, I was struck by how familiar everything felt—almost as if the entries were written in the present moment. Even the lessons I jotted down back in January, nearly a year ago, resonate deeply with what I’m experiencing now. It’s uncanny.

The more I read, the more real it felt. It was as if the words on the page had anticipated what I would go through. I found myself wondering if it was all a matter of alignment or intuition. Whatever it was, it felt strangely surreal, like I had unknowingly written my future at the start of the year.

I also use a separate journal as a "brain dump." This is where I pour out everything—my thoughts and emotions: from gratitude to despair, from ideas to desperation, from mind-map to SWOT analysis.

Also read: Your Guide to An Effective End-of-Year Journaling Session

This journal has been invaluable for helping me untangle the chaos in my mind, calm the mental chatter, and clarify what I truly feel or want. Once I’ve processed everything, I transfer the key insights or lessons to my main journal.

I intentionally adopted this two-journal system because, as a nomad, I need to travel light. Over the years, I’ve accumulated too many journals, and lugging them around has become impractical. My minimalist mindset encourages me to keep only what sparks joy—and this system fits perfectly with that philosophy.

An unexpected benefit of having a dedicated journal for life lessons is that I’m much more inclined to revisit it. In the past, when I used just one journal for everything, I often avoided rereading it because I didn’t want to relive the tough moments. Now, I can focus on the wisdom I’ve gained without getting bogged down by negative memories.

How about you? Do you journal? What’s your journaling style? I’d love to hear your stories and tips!

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