*Journaling: My secret to clarity, growth and gratitude.* Dear Journal, It’s the first day of March, and I’m genuinely grateful for the grace to be consistent with this journaling journey. So, let’s talk about it—journaling. It’s not just about pen and paper (or fingers and screens); it’s about collecting pieces of yourself, one word at a time. Here are five ways journaling has changed my life: 1. *Gathering my thoughts (a.k.a making sense of the chaos in my head)* I started journaling back in secondary school, and let’s just say privacy was a serious struggle. Boarding house life meant if you wrote down your feelings, you risked them becoming school-wide gossip. So, what did we do? We got creative. My friends and I developed codes—each letter had a symbol, and we wrote in what looked like an ancient script. Genius, right? Well… until we either forgot the codes ourselves (oops) or someone cracked them (double oops). But through it all, journaling helped me organize my thoughts. I became more in tune with my emotions, and I learned the power of self-reflection. 2. *Writing better (because storytelling is an art)* The more I journaled, the more intentional I became with my words. I started paying attention to how I told my stories, how I painted pictures with my sentences. Now, whether it’s a heartfelt entry or a random rant about life, journaling has sharpened my ability to express myself clearly and creatively. 3. *Reflecting on life (because sometimes, you need to pause and appreciate the journey)* Every piece I write is a part of my life—real, raw, and meaningful. Journaling forces me to slow down and process what’s happening around me. I’ve learned to reflect on my wins, my mistakes, and the unexpected turns life takes. And let’s be honest, without reflection, life just feels like one long to-do list. 4. *Practicing gratitude (a necessary skill for an overthinker like me!)* Before now, I was the queen of anxiety—always worrying about what’s next, what’s missing, what’s not going according to plan. But journaling? It changed my perspective. When I look back at past entries, I see answered prayers, moments of unexpected joy, and growth I didn’t notice in real-time. And suddenly, instead of worrying, I feel grateful. 5. *Building confidence (because your voice matters)* If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered, “Should I even share this? Will anyone care?” But here’s what I’ve learned: *your story is valid*—whether you write for yourself or choose to share it with the world. Start small, let your confidence grow, and when you’re ready, put your voice out there. So, if you’ve been skeptical about journaling, consider this your sign. Pick up your pen (or open that notes app), and just start. You never know what kind of magic might flow from your thoughts to the page. Cheers to a great month ahead. Love _Aby 💕_