Why you should start journaling for your New Year's resolution

So, it's 2025. Welcome, do stay a while.

After the echos of Auld Lang Syne fade into a champagne-induced headache, there's one thing on most peoples' mind.

New Year's resolutions.

It's the annual tradition of setting ourselves up for... well, honestly mostly disappointment.

But hey, I'm not here to judge. I've been there, done that, and have the unused gym membership to prove it.

This year, though? I've got an idea for you. Something so simple, you might just stick with it past January 3rd.

Journaling.

Now, before you roll your eyes and get back to scrolling, just hear me out.

Journaling is the Swiss Army knife of self-improvement. It's a stress-buster, a idea-generator, a memory-keeper, and a personal therapist all rolled into one.

And the best part? You don't need to leave your couch to do it.

Let's break it down, shall we?

You get to buy something new

First off, it's the perfect excuse to buy that fancy notebook you've been eyeing. You know the one - leather-bound, crisp pages, probably costs more than your weekly coffee budget. But hey, if it gets you writing, it's worth it, right?

Or, if you're more of a digital nomad, there's an app for that. Actually, there are about a million apps for that. Pick one. Any one.

If you need an app to call you every single day and listen to talk about your day - there's one for that too. They all do pretty much the same thing - give you a place to dump your thoughts that isn't X or Twitter or whatever it's called these days. Trust me, your 14 followers will thank you.

You can write about literally anything

Now, what do you write about?

Anything.

Everything.

That weird dream you had about your third-grade teacher.

The Michelin Star worthy sandwich you made for lunch.

Your grand plans to finally learn Spanish.

The beauty of journaling is that there are no rules. It's like Vegas, but for your thoughts. What happens in the journal, stays in the journal. Unless, of course, you decide to turn it into a bestselling memoir. In which case, remember who gave you the idea, okay?

Your future self will thank you - a lot

But here's the real magic of journaling: it's like time travel, but less risky.

Future you gets to look back and remember exactly what you were thinking, feeling, and doing right now. It's a personal time capsule that you can look back at, at any time.

Your current self will too

And let's talk about stress for a second.

We've all got it. Some of us collect stress like it's being discontinued.

But journaling? It's like a pressure release valve for your brain. All those thoughts bouncing around in your head - get them out on paper and you'll feel lighter - I promise.

Plus, it's a lot cheaper than therapy.

Not that it replaces therapy, mind you. But it's a nice complement - and actually evidence-based to reduce your risk of depression.

It's also.. easier?

So, this New Year's, while everyone else is pledging to run ultra marathons or quitting smoking (actually, that one's definitely more important), why not try something a little different?

Commit to jotting down a few thoughts each day. It doesn't have to be profound. It doesn't have to be long. It doesn't even have to be that coherent.

Just write.

And who knows? By this time next year, you might have the first draft of your bestselling autobiography.

Or at least a really good collection of sandwich recipes.

-- N.L.