Hi Everyone, I'm Sandrene, the brand owner of ChicChoi.
Many people may feel journaling is for students or young creatives, yet rediscovering journaling as an adult can unlock productivity, reduce stress, and help us achieve our goals. In fact, for me, returning to journaling at 31 was a transformative experience that improved my work-life balance and enabled me to build my brand, Chicchoi Stationery, from the ground up. Here’s how journaling helped me and how it might help you, too.
A New Beginning: Starting with a Simple Gift
I hadn’t kept a journal since childhood, but this year, my sister gifted me a beautiful notebook for New Year’s. It seemed too lovely to leave blank, so I began jotting down my thoughts. What started as a simple gift became a powerful tool in my life, particularly as I faced the challenges of starting Chicchoi. The early days of a business are overwhelming; sleepless nights filled with questions about improving products and reaching more people felt endless. Writing became my outlet, providing a safe place to express my thoughts and gain clarity.
Embracing Structure: Setting Goals and Building Good Habits
Through daily journaling, I noticed how quickly time passed each day and realized that structured goals could help me make the most of it. Inspired by this, I set a 30-day fitness challenge using a planner pad, detailing each day’s goals and tracking my weight daily. This record-keeping helped me stay accountable and make adjustments, ultimately achieving my fitness goal by the end of the challenge. Achieving this goal boosted my confidence and encouraged me to set more plans for myself, growing my life and business one achievement at a time.
Expressing Fears and Facing Challenges
Journaling allowed me to face deeper anxieties, like my long-standing fear of the dentist. Writing down my worries about my dental health gave me clarity and the courage to act, eventually helping me schedule that long-dreaded appointment. Journaling has since taught me that many fears and anxieties lessen when we face them head-on, writing out our thoughts and finding solutions within our own words.
Here’s something I just have to share—I finally went to the dentist yesterday! I took that first step! Even though I haven’t resolved all my dental issues yet, just taking that step made everything else feel much more manageable.
Discovering Inner Growth
Beyond planning and accountability, journaling has enriched my life by helping me understand my goals, motivations, and fears. Every evening at my desk, I reflect on my day and write out my thoughts, feeling calm and clear-headed as I turn pages in my planner. This simple act of documenting my journey through life has proven to be incredibly therapeutic and has offered me a fresh perspective on the importance of small, consistent habits.
Start Your Journaling Journey
Incorporating journaling or planning into your life can be incredibly rewarding. Whether you start small or dive into a comprehensive planner like those at Chicchoi Stationery, having a place to record thoughts, set goals, and celebrate small wins can make a significant impact on your growth. So why not start today? You’ll likely find that each entry brings more structure, joy, and growth to your life!
