How Journaling Helped Me Trust Myself and Take the Leap

When I first started journaling back in the summer of 2018, I had no idea how much it would change my life. At the time, I was living in Washington, DC, working a stable engineering job, and quietly planning something that terrified me: leaving everything behind to move to Spain.

I was filled with doubts. People close to me called late at night, urging me not to go, warning me about everything I stood to lose. And I listened. I worried. I second-guessed myself.

But I also journaled. And in those pages, I captured all the raw fear, the weight of other people’s expectations, and the spark inside me that said: this is the right path. Looking back now, I laugh at those entries. If I had listened to fear, I would have missed out on one of the most life-changing experiences of my life.

I began journaling because I needed clarity. Writing down my thoughts helped me process the chaos of big decisions. It gave me a safe place to vent, reflect, and dream.

At first, my journals looked more like scattered song lyrics and messy notes on my phone. But eventually, I picked up actual notebooks and started filling them. And that simple act of putting pen to paper turned into a daily practice that grounded me through every major change.

Journaling isn’t just for writers, but if you are a writer, it’s one of the best tools you can give yourself. Here’s why:

• Creativity Boost – Many of my book ideas, lyrics, and poems began as quick journal entries.
• Emotional Clarity – Writing gave me space to process fears, doubts, and dreams.
• Growth Tracking – Looking back years later, I can see just how far I’ve come.
• Perspective – What felt overwhelming in the moment now feels laughably small in hindsight.

Of course, journaling wasn’t always easy. I often felt blocked, thinking I had to capture my entire story in one sitting. That pressure made me avoid the page altogether.

The breakthrough came when I lowered the bar: just one page a night.

Sometimes I’d write three pages, sometimes a single messy paragraph—but consistency mattered more than perfection.

And here’s the truth: your journal doesn’t need to look neat, polished, or even make sense. Kurt Cobain’s notebooks were filled with gibberish, grocery lists, and scribbles. Journaling is about honesty, not presentation.

Looking back, here are the biggest lessons journaling has taught me:

1. Your fears will look smaller in hindsight. That mountain you’re staring at today will feel like a speed bump tomorrow.
2. The act of writing matters more than perfection. Just get words on the page.
3. Journaling connects past, present, and future you. You gain perspective by seeing where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go.
4. Listen to your heart—even when others doubt you. The people closest to you may project their fears onto your path, but you’re the one who has to live with your choices.

Fast forward to now—2025. I lost my job and visa in Spain, moved back home to New Jersey, and once again I’m staring down uncertainty. Just like in 2018, fear and doubt creep in.

But this time, I know better. I’ve seen what happens when I push through fear. I’ve lived the payoff of trusting my gut. And I know that future me will look back at these entries and say: “Don’t worry. Everything will work out.”

Journaling has been my mirror, my therapist, and my time machine. It’s shown me how far I’ve come, reminded me that fear is often a sign of growth, and helped me trust myself when the world was telling me not to.

So if you’re reading this, here’s my challenge: start journaling. One page. One paragraph. Even one sentence. Ten years from now, your future self will thank you.

Have you been thinking about writing a book (or song) and don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’re an experienced writer who has felt stuck and overwhelmed with a writing project? I’d be happy to talk it out with you over a FREE Discovery Call.