Journaling

I have a love/hate relationship with journaling. I love it because it's so enlightening. I hate it because I hate writing - literally. Ironic that I have a blog isn't it? I hate to write and I hate it when people criticize my writing .

Anyway....are you trying to better yourself in a certain area? Sometimes I feel like I need to be content where I'm at in life. Other times I will pick one area of my life that I want to improve. For example, I have worked on the following things:

• exercise
• eating habits
• more time with the kids
• less time on the computer
• better listening skills
• less gossiping
• helping my spouse

It's funny how journaling works. When I keep a food journal I eat better. Last time I kept a journal I found out that broccoli makes my tummy "rumbly" and when I take two vitamin D pills, I have to drink one full glass of water or I get nauseous.

When I keep a spending journal, I spend less money.

When I write down how I'm spending my time, I don't waste as much time.

When I write down how much money I spend at the grocery store, I spend less money.

You get the picture right?

When I make myself write something down, I'm successful in what I'm trying to change. You can actually see on paper what bad habits you have gotten into.

By the way, when I'm feeling like I need to just "be" and stop working on improving myself, then I journal about the changes I've made that have worked out well. Also, I write down everything I'm grateful for about other people and myself. In fact, I think that may be what I need journal about next!

The journal you use doesn't have to be fancy. Right now I'm using a "fancied up" composition notebook that Mary gave me (you are getting famous Mary), but prior to that I was using loose leaf notebook paper. I usually toss what I've journaled because I don't like having clutter around. Sometimes I need to just get it out and then toss it away!

Journaling works for me!

Check out other Works for me Wednesday tips over at We are THAT Family.