I feel like I’ve always been an introspective person. I had diaries growing up and all through college. When I was little, I would write out what I wanted to be, do, and have when I grew up. During grade school and college, I loved English class—especially when it involved writing personal essays and narratives.

After graduating college, I sort of fell off the writing train for a while. I was too busy working to maintain my Los Angeles apartment. Then, when my dad passed away and I moved back to Austin, I was too busy forming my company. My company, City Girl Savings, started as a blog, but a lot of that writing was tailored towards finances, fashion, and lifestyle. Nothing too personal.

It wasn’t until 2018 (the year I turned 30) that I started to get back to my writing roots via journaling. I was still working in corporate America and running my business on the side, but this was the year I decided I wanted to run my business full-time. I had a long way to go before I would be ready for that, but I put the stake in the ground. I knew that’s what I wanted my future to look like.

Once I knew I wanted to be a full-time business owner, I started investing in things that would help me learn how to get there. I signed up for an online course (I think it was called ‘Six Figure Alignment’?), and one of the requirements of the program was to journal: Journal the beliefs we wanted to be true about ourselves and our situation; journal the goals we had, and write them in a way that sounded like we’d already achieved them. I took the journaling assignment a step further and started a morning routine of journaling my thoughts, feelings, and hopes as well.

The benefits that have come over time through consistent journaling are truly amazing. Eventually, I was able to quit my corporate job and run City Girl Savings full-time. I was also able to see the growth in my thought patterns over time and to reach goals I wasn’t sure how I would reach. Most importantly, I’ve become a much more self-aware individual. As I write out the things that are on my mind, I can counter any negative thoughts with positive ones. In fact, one thing I like to do during my journaling routine every morning is list out the beliefs I want to be true about myself. Here are a few I always come back to:

I trust myself to take action, even if it’s uncomfortable.
I make an impact every day.
I am a confident, secure, independent woman.
I am surrounded by people who motivate and inspire me.
I am the kind of person who enjoys every aspect of life.
I am the kind of person who never stops learning, growing, and practicing gratitude.
I’m worthy of all the good that has come and will come to me.

Now, I journal every morning and have no intentions of stopping! Some days, especially when I’m filled with fear or anxiety, I journal multiple times. Getting those anxious thoughts out on paper helps minimize them. And, since I have all my journal entries dating back to 2018, I’m able to look back on old entries and feel pride and gratitude. I’ve come so far.

Journaling has helped me to know, love, and trust myself so much more than I ever had before. It’s a practice that I vow to continue doing as long as I’m capable.

Are you already an avid writer or journaler? Let me know! If not, I challenge you to give journaling a try for 30 days and see what magic happens. Drop a comment below if you accept this challenge!