30 Days of Truth and Journaling
Recently, I came across a very intriguing blogging challenge and personal growth activity: 30 Days of Truth. Very rarely do I post anything personal on my blog. I believe in compartmentalizing life wherever possible. No crying in baseball, and all that stuff. However, I found myself keeping the list up on my web browser for a couple of days to think about it more.
As I sat down to write this post, I thought: What the heck, let's go for this!
When I read through the questions more, I began to realize this is a task I need to do privately in my own journal. I wanted to share the questions with you because I truly believe daily reflection on your life is an important part of well being.
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Benefits of Journaling
I was inspired by my Philly blogging friend at The Urban Realist to start writing in my journal religiously again. The benefits of keeping a journal are huge, and you can write A LOT in 20 minutes, which is the recommended amount of time.
You know how it's sometimes easier to help a friend in a compromising situation because you see their circumstances objectively, but when it comes time for you to make a decision or form an opinion on something in your own life, it's much more difficult?
Writing down everything, both positive and negative, can help you see things clearly.
I encourage you to try journaling for at least 10-15 minutes a day. Popping on your laptop first thing in the morning or dragging out a real notebook and pen right before bed will work. It doesn't have to involve a lot of bells and whistles (although, while expensive, I highly recommend the Day One app — I use it for my Mac and my iPad and iPhone, and I adore how everything syncs).
30 Days of Truth exercise
I think it's important to note that quite a few of these prompts are negative. While working on those days, try to find a way to overcome that obstacle in your life. For example, Day 01 invites you to write about "something you hate about yourself." Just writing down the thing you hate about yourself isn't going to do much for your personal growth. So if I were to say "Gosh, I really hate how much water I drink. I'm way too hydrated." I should counter that by saying "I am definitely going to start cutting back on water tomorrow."
Ok, had to throw in some sarcasm somewhere. Glad I got that out of my system.
Here goes:
Day 01 : Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 : Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 : Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 : Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 : Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 : Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 : Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 : Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 : Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 : Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 : Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 : Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 : A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (Write a letter.)
Day 14 : A hero that has let you down. (Write a letter.)
Day 15 : Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 : Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 : A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 : Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 : What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 : Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 : Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 : Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 : Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 : Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs.
Day 25 : The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 : Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 : What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 : What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 : Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 : In a letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.
Your turn. Whether you start journaling or if you follow along the 30 Days of Truth prompts with me, I hope this allows you to learn something about yourself.
Do you keep a journal?
Cover photo by Jess Watters
