Journaling...

Hi everyone!

On the 6th of April 2016, I stumbled into journaling for the first time. On that day, I typed out my very first entry on Penzu, and what started as an experiment eventually became a habit. For those unfamiliar, Penzu is an online journaling platform that’s wonderfully simple to use, and the best part is that it’s completely free.

I’ll drop a link to it at the end of this post in case you’d like to explore it.

Now, Penzu just happened to be my tool of choice, but the options are endless. Apps like Day One, Momento, Five Minute Journal, Daylio, and countless others are available, depending on whether you’re an Android or Apple user. I personally stuck with Penzu because I type faster than I write, and their web app makes it ridiculously easy to jot down thoughts on my PC. Really, the platform doesn’t matter. You could even go full Shakespeare with pen and paper if you wanted to. Each of these applications has its own strengths, but the point isn’t really the platform. It’s about what happens when you start writing.

For me, journaling has become less of a habit and more of a sanctuary. My journal is like a bathroom mirror, if you will: you step in, close the door, and suddenly you can unpack the mess that’s been sitting in your head all day. It’s the place I “dump” the unwanted thoughts, but also where I reflect on the good, the bad, and the strange in between. Over the years, I’ve found that this habit clears mental clutter and creates space for sharper focus, creativity, and even clarity. Some days it’s crystal clear. Other days it’s as clear as mud. So in other words, as clear to me as high school Maths—i.e., not at all.

The benefits aren’t limited to personal use either. Whether you’re in business, healthcare, education, or any other field, journaling can be tailored to fit specific goals: problem-solving, strategic thinking, stress management, or simply capturing fleeting ideas before they slip away.

Looking back, I can say this small practice has shaped me more than I expected. It’s been part therapy, part brainstorming tool, and part personal time capsule. Every entry has helped me become a little more honest with myself, and a little more intentional with how I show up in the world.

If you’ve never tried journaling, I encourage you to give it a shot. Don’t worry about doing it “right” because there is no right way. Start with a few lines, a scribble about your day, or a messy brain-dump. Worst case? You end up with notebooks full of questionable handwriting or electronic notebooks filled with grammatical errors. Best case? You find clarity, creativity, and a way to talk to yourself that’s slightly less weird than out loud.

And remember: spelling doesn’t actually count when your only audience is future-you cringing in 2030. So pick up a notebook, download an app and just McBeth the shit out of it - whatever gets you writing.

Euan

Links to journaling apps: