What I Learned by Journaling for 30 Days 

when he said he skipped weeks and months at a time so never filled the journal up and ended up apologizing to himself in the journal for being inconsistent i felt that LOL

You should create a masterclass called Matt Self D'Avellopment

Try journaling, no sugar, meditation, waking up at 5 am and cold showers all at once for 30 days.

Journalling for 4 years, here’s 3 things I wish I’d picked up sooner: 1. You’re allowed to skip details. Don’t get bogged down in explaining an entire story, write about the parts which you sat down to write about 2. Be explicit and honest. It’s tempting to cast yourself as the hero, but it’s more honest, worthwhile and challenging to write about the truth, no matter what it is 3. You don’t have to write every day. If you have nothing to say, say nothing. Develop the habit of picking up your journal some time after something meaningful happens Hope something there helps :)

i only keep one journal answering a single question "what made me happy today", which helped me a lot to defeat my depression. (This is actually my psychotherapist's instruction, not mine.)

Matt: “I wanted a journal I could fit in my pocket” Backpack: am I a joke to you?

i’ve journaled for a year today. i started bc i don’t want to forget my middle school years. best decision i’ve ever made.

i had a journal that the last entry goes: wednesday, july 12 i killed a cockroach with this journal. it's the most dramatic thing that happened to me these days.

Him: "it was complete bullshit" Me: Really?? Him: "till it wasn't" Me: Ah, okay

Dude the quality of your video. It just mesmerises me. Seriously I can't stop looking every corner of the screen and be awwwwwd on how well the quality is.

*_Your Journal is like your best friend, You don't have to pretend with it, you can be honest and write however you want_*

I once journaled for a year as a Valentine's gift for my girlfriend (and now wife). It took 4 books, 1154 pages overall.

the cinematography in this video wow!! 1:14

I’ve kept a journal since I was 15. I don’t write everyday. I used to force myself to though. But the last few years, I just write when my body/mind tells me too. I trust it.

I've journaled for 45 years. I've had times when I've gone for days, weeks, months, and then for a year or two when I was temporarily legally blind and couldn't journal. But I've always returned to it and now that I'm old and in my 60s, have plenty of time for it. I imagine someone 100 years from now finding my old journal volumes in an attic and reading about how life was for an avetage person during the different decades of my life. Nice to read something from a guy's perspective.

I've been journaling almost every day since I'm 10. I don't want to forget my life and I hope I will continue writing until I'm old. It really helps me.

One mistake many people make - including myself at first - is waiting until the end of the day to write it. F that. Do it first thing in the morning, before anything else. In the evening we just wanna collapse into bed. Don't create friction where there needn't be any. This is how I got second-language students journal daily over an entire year: Make it into your own personal time by getting up before anyone else. This becomes something you look forward to. Do it in the same place every day. Eliminate decisions like this to free up time and mental energy. Don't make a big deal out of it. Do hold yourself accountable, though, and make certain to write each day, just don't beat yourself up if you don't; you have enough people nagging at you all day, you don't want your voice in that mix too. Get yourself the cheapest 'nice' journal you want. Don't get something too fancy that you'll feel bad about scribbling in, but do make it nice. Get a pen that makes you feel fancy. Also, cheap pens encourage you to keep throwing away old ones which creates a lot of landfill rubbish. Or if you're really worried about that, get a bamboo pencil. Bamboo is awesome. Write about what you're happy to have in your life (it will feel banal until you've run out of insignificant things to mention, then it gets good). Write about what you want to do. Keep it real, but take time once a month to write and assess long-term goals. Then write until you stop writing. Some days you will write 1/2 a page, some days it's 3. Both are correct. I recommend doing a check-in during your afternoon coffee break, where you write down things you could have done better, or how your thinking about xyz has changed by the afternoon. At the end of the journal, read back through and, if you like, write a summary before you start a new journal. Hope this helps someone! Edit: thank you all - one distinction I forgot to add was the difference between a diary and a journal. These terms are not synonymous, though they may seem to be. To be specific, *a journal is an objective reflection on your current state and future plans.* Try to use past-tense especially when it comes to emotions. Analyse why you felt a certain way, instead of just reliving the emotion on the page. In contrast, a diary is a subjective record of how you feel and the current events, without the benefit of reflection. For example, it's not "The Journal of Anne Frank" - diary was a conscious choice there. Also, the famous stoic book "Meditations" was compiled from the journals of Marcus Aurelius - he didn't write about how the stupid camp cook would over-season the food and how it upset his tummy, even though we know this likely happened. Instead of that, he would sit and take a 3000ft view of the situation and examine it objectively. Have fun!

Haven't watched whole video yet but I just wanted to say thank you for posting meaningful content here. I've been meaning to say this fo a while. You make a difference on youtube and really inspire people to be better and do better. I bought Ramit's book after watching your video with him and I'm finding it extremely helpful. Thank you !

Been journaling for 10 years. I have kept a journal from 12 years old to 21 years old. And I loved every minute of it. This is how: 1. Make it fun. Personalize your journal. Put stickers on the front, print quotes or make a cover that will make you want to look at it. 2. When you make an entry, put something inside. (Tape an object to the page that signifies that day.) (A flower, a note, a drawing, a photo). 3. DO NOT write everyday if you don't want to. I write every 2-3 months, (sometimes more) and write about 2 pages summing up whats happened in my life within that time span and how I feel about it. Not enough happens in my life to write everyday, I like to add stuff up and give a story dump on the page, it makes it more fun to read later. Almost feels like a real story. 4. Once you have about 2 months worth of pages, RE-READ. It is so fun to look back and remember things you would've never thought about again. Like the time you got too drunk, or ran into your ex, make a new friend. These are all things that you are going to thank yourself later for writing. My journal makes me laugh, cry, and realize so much about my past that I can now learn from. HIGHLY recommend.

I started journaling 5 years ago during my freshman year in uni and last month, i finally graduated! I looked back at old entries about my anxiety and several moments of giving up then it made me realize, *it does get better* . Eventually, everything will fall into place.

Journaling is self thearapy.

I'm glad i'm not the only one who tries to write in a journal stops after a few weeks and then when I start again need a new journal.

Can we just take a minute to appreciate this 1:14

1:14 Wait !!!!! This is what called quality content... This is why I open RU-vid... No doubt you are perfectionist.. Put so much effort on every video..

Literally saw this new video pop up after writing down my own contemplations. Thanks for the amazing content as always! And my respect for the shot at 1:14. Dayumn.

I started journaling every day after a traumatic brain injury that made my thoughts foggy and my hands shaky. Three months later, the writing has really helped my hands become steady and strong again, and it’s becoming easier to think and speak clearly. Tldr journaling is helping me heal physically and cognitively

I journaled for roughly 2 years straight, at the time I didn't see the benefits of doing it, but my therapist suggested I try it. I wrote about my fears, and anxiety, and slowly they dissipated. A few years had past when I found my journals again during a move, so I read them again what I learned was that my fears are all made up in my head, theirs no truth to any of the things that kept me up at night, and the overwhelming amount of worry. None of the things that I lost sleep over happened other things happened, but not my worst thoughts & fears.

Tip: organize your journal 1: date/time 2: free write 5 mintues 3: day's goal 4: reward - rewarding something small for targeting the goals 5: before sleep: write how the perfect day would've been. Play a small mentel picture before falling a sleep 6: write the perfect day summary Overtime, this will help with thought process, clarity, time management and solid platform to build a healthier lifestyle

I think journaling isn't just about mind-dumping, sorting through your thoughts and feelings. It is also about recording prescious memories so you can look back on the good times.

Interesting! I'm actually quite the opposite. I journal whenever I feel content and I (mostly) don't write in my journal when I'm struggling. Pointing out the positive things and being able to reread and remember them changed my perspective on life, as I used to remember only the negative things. Now, whenever I need an uplift or a boost of confidence I go through my journal!

I journal completely without rules. I do what I want. Because I keep my whole life in one journal I NEED it every day. I write down my to dos for work, I track my Chinese learning process, sometimes I just glue pictures of kpop idols on a page. I don’t care anymore, I’ll do what works for me at the specific time in my life and I use it for more than one thing, so journaling never feels like a burden to me. Depending on my day my journal is My diary My to do list My Kalender (even though I always use digital ones too) A kpop journal A sketchbook a bullet journal ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Matt: journaling was bulls*** Me:HOW DARE YOU! Also Matt:Until it wasn't Me:...oh...love you Matt D

Matt, you should try doing yoga for 30 days.

So when are we getting the "My NEW Minimalist Apartment" video? Also, thanks for being an awesome reason to get up every day man.

Whenever I watch his videoes, I always feel like he's accusing me of not doing work

When will you and Nathaniel Drew do a collab?

0:58 Journaling is a powerful way to get a bird's eye view of our lives. Loved that line

I love that you're talking about your anxiety. It makes me feel less alone and i really appreciate your openness.

I’ve been journalling for a long time now ever since elementary school when my dad introduced me to the idea. I used to pressure myself to write everyday, thinking I had to keep up and record everything going on in my life, and when I missed days I’d blame myself. But I realized you don’t really have to write everyday, because a lot of my days are very similar, I think about the same things, and I feel like it’s pointless to record the same thoughts over and over again in different ways. Now, I only journal when I feel the need to get something unto paper, which is about 2-3 times a week. When I’m feeling very low or angry or sad, I like to write to get the feeling out, to be able to have it flow out of my brain instead of being bottled up inside me. I think it helps me understand myself more too. I love how journalling captures my thoughts and emotions and what I feel throughout my days. Usually I write when I am struck with a new idea, or had an unusual day or feel emotional. I enjoy journalling and I would definitely recommend it, but just keep in mind journalling is to help you not an opportunity for pressure and self criticism.

I have what I call a "When You Need It" journal. It's my journal when I need to vent out frustrations, or I'm stressed, or I'm sad about something, or if I just feel the need to write (cause sometimes that just happens 🤷). I've had and used the same journal for a few years now and it's about halfway full.

Diary = sounds like for kids Journal = sounds like for adults but both the same

5:29 "But when you feel like this, it's all you can think about" Whenever I have anxiety about something people keep telling me to 'stop thinking about it and focus on something else.' But you can't. You can't because it's anxiety.

When I journal, I write my whole heart out. I write out my strongest feelings and thoughts and although those feelings and thoughts may be sometimes scary and or very sad, it feels so good just facing them letting them out.

Does journaling make your cinematography improved?!??! That 1:14 is LIT

Journaling helped me come back from the brink of committing suicide, so yea i guess it's helpful sometimes...

Before journaling, I thought I just had some odd thoughts. After journaling, I question if I have schizophrenia and have considered starting a cult. Would recommend.

Journaling is important because reading what you wrote after a few months or a year or more could be life-changing.

The best reason to keep a journal is so that in 10 years time when you ask yourself 'why the f did I do that 10 years ago' you might have some chance of finding out.

How did you do that "through the book" shot at 1:13?? So cool!

Want a time machine? Start journaling! How are you doing it? I started journaling yesterday and hold on, you too? :D

To be realistic some days I sleep in and I can’t keep up with my journal routine BUT the days that I journal I feel so much more clear headed. I feel happier when I journal in my success journal because it keeps my mind on my goals and why I work so hard to build my business. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re still heading to a 9-5 when you have a passion you’re working so hard on to make your business and free yourself from that world, but the journal has helped me find some peace in the situation and helps me see that there will be an end to this struggle and helps me plan the path to freedom. I also journal my dreams because they are very vivid and what’s so fun about it is being able to hold the memories of dreams as if they were real moment you experienced because writing them down really solidifies the memory and helps you find the connections in your dreams to your real life. The perfectionism aspect to writing in a journal is something I struggled with in the beginning but when I let go of the aesthetic and decided to just spew out whatever I had to say it was very therapeutic for me and I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with anything, or anyone who is looking for a path to something they want but just can’t quite figure it out. Hope this helps someone. ❤️

i started journaling because i was going through my first love and since i’m really bad at expressing my feelings i poured my heart out in my journal. it’s life changing y’all

*If anything it’s an amazing way to remember your life, all the good and bad. Your life story that can bring you back in time.*

Crazy to think, we are half-way through 2019 already (+_+)

That's a brilliant shot at 1:14

For me personally, a journal is a really helpful way to preserve memories :) When I look back at the diaries I used to keep since 7 years ago, just reading again what I wrote and how I wrote it helps me remember how I thought and talked and what was important to me at that age, even the most mundane quirks and little things come rushing back to my memory, so it's a really fun lookbook to your past. In that way also, it helps you see how you've matured as a person. I don't use journalling primarily as a self-improvement tool, as much as I use it as a time capsule, and that's just what works for me :D 💖

“Pocket sized” is only an accurate term when referring to men’s pockets (not a dig at you, just one of the many errors of the fashion industry)

It is because you are not using a fountain pen. Thats why you easily got bored

Roses are red Violets are blue The time you are looking for Is 6:22 But I'm not here To waste your time You can watch the whole video And still be fine

Sometimes I don’t know what is bothering me, so I write down everything that is still lingering in the back of my head and suddenly it becomes clear. Thank god for journaling!

Matt will you be doing a home tour? ❤️😊 ps I love your honesty in your videos no matter what the outcome

0:39 Anyone else notice Bicep Curls is every exercise? haha! I knew you weren't joking in your workout routine video Matt! ;)

If you’re a creative who struggles with really diving into your creative side due to fear of rejection from the public, anxiety or anything really that could be holding you back, I recommend checking out the book The Artists Way. The author dives deep with weekly “morning pages” journaling prompts that digs the feels out of you.

EVERYONES TYSM FOR BEING HERE. AND THE COMMENTS MAKE ME FEEL SO GOOD. I SAW NO ONE IN MY SURROUNDINGS DOING DIARY WRITING ABOUT THEIR LIFE EVENTS THOUGHTS CRUSHES SO I THOUGHT IT WAS ABNORMAL FOR ME TO DO SO. I THOUGHT I HAD A MENTAL PROBLEM FOR WRITING MY LIFE DOWN. BUT GLAD TO KNOW IT'S SOOOOO POPULAR AND NORMAL!! DIARY WRITING HAPPENED NATURALLY TO ME LIKE IT STARTED WHEN I WAS 7 YEARS OLD.

The shot at 1:14 is because of probe lens. For more details, watch MKBHD's dope tech series

Once I journaled for a year about the positiv and enjoyable things that happened throughout the day. I made it a point to find 5 such things every single day. It might be the pleasure to cycle to university with my legs just spinning with ease. It might be a tasty meal that I cooked and ate, it might be a successful exam. It might be even good weather. Now I'm nearly 40 and still it is an automatism in my head to register a lot of good things every day, big or small. I appreciate some things over and over again. It made me a grateful person and it helps overcoming and adjusting to adversities big time.

Ohhh you bought that macro probe lens....woow it's incredible

I've been keeping a journal (diary) since I was a kid! I stopped writing often 2 years ago when I started having symptoms of clinical depression. Until then, I became less aware of what's happening in my life, I lose track of things and important details of my life, I started becoming forgetful that my memory only lasts for hours, the longest would be 4 days. I wanted to go back to journaling, to my old self, but the void seem to keep on pulling me away from touching my pen and notebook. No words would cave in in my head. It's just blank and blue. Right now, I am happy to share to everyone who'd read this that I discovered a new way of journaling, that is doing my daily devotions. I was healed from depression and I can say that it really put order and helped me discover the real purpose of my life since then. I've never experienced this kind of freedom, bravery, confidence, and tranquility my entire life until I've come to know Him. Right now, I'm not only doing my daily devotions, but I'm also back on journaling. Both perform miracle in my mental health :)

please start monetizing your videos. Im starting to feel bad cause your quality content deserves every penny from ads

Journaling is my way to learn about my habitual thoughts---and change them if they don't serve me.

I love to journal! For the past six months I’ve been lament journaling, I’m a Christian, so what that means is every time I’m upset about something or something is giving me anxiety, I’ll write out those feelings and “vent” then I’ll pray scripture over it. For the past week though I’ve been journaling every day because I’m engaged and a friend of mine gifted me with a book called the “power pf a praying wife”. So I’ll read through the book, underline my favorite points and then write in my journal my prayers for my fiancé and prayers for our marriage and prayers for myself as well. The experience has been amazing! I can’t wait to look back on these journals five years into our marriage and read what we were learning and going through!

MAN THAT 1:15 SHOT GOT ME SO BAD DAMN THAT'S AMAZING!!!! YOU'RE AMAZING MAN!

I have been journaling since 2002. First day of my middle school. Back then it was a assignment from my teacher. I wrote that kind of journals that you are supposed to turn in to your teacher to review weekly. So it was more of a practice of writing. Then in 2005 I started to journal spontaneously coz I had a crush on a boy. I write about emotions fantasy and dreams. And then when I started college the journal become more interesting coz I was free and started to experience more things. I try to journal every day. But it is hard. Now I am a mother of two toddlers. It is impossible to write everyday. But my journal is my personal therapist. As you said. It helps me confront myself when I have a chaotic mind. I enjoy doing it. I will keep going. Thank you for sharing your story.

I’ve been keeping a diary/ journaling for ..omg it’s been 10 years? No..almost 10 years I think. I started at 9 years old and next January will be 10 years consistently. I was looking for videos on other ways I can enhance my view on keeping a diary, but I think it’s an individual practice that just has to be apart of who you are and will later be incorporated into your routine. There are days I thought “ this will probably be my last diary, even though I bought 3 more for the future.” I always think about which one will be my last one, or if I’ll ever get bored one day, or if I’ll die and what’ll be my last page, my last words. But for 10 consistent years, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I don’t typically go back and read what 11 year old me had going on back then, but even at that age, I look back and see how smart I am and how I don’t give myself much credit. I use it for self love and respect purposes. I really liked this video and your experience ☺️

You nailed my thoughts on the subject in seconds. The storytelling in this video is incredible. *Just wow!*

I've been journaling every day since 2007 (when I was 9 y/o) and still counting...

Always refreshing to watch the video without ADS and hard-selling. Well written and composed. Another good work Matt. Subbed and belled.

I did it. 61 days now. Totally worth it. I will continue. Task completion was the goal. Thanks Matt

"this journal is primarily going to be vomit" ~Matt 2019

Good try. I have been journaling for 27 years. If you want to be able to journal consistently here is the secret. Journaling is not a task or a habit. Your journal is your friend. If you stop for a while, write an update of a few lines and then pick up as if you never stopped. Tip #2 Name your journal. I named my journal. His name is Bernardo. When I am going to write in my journal I don't say "I am going to journal." I say "I am going to Bernardo." I am visiting my friend, not completing a task.

I've been journaling on and off for the past 3-4 years now, and ironically, I attempted to start a daily journaling habit when I stumbled upon your channel back in April. My work is very taxing and has irregular shift hours so my habit hasn't been as consistent, but all things considered, I have made more progress in the past month than I have in the past few years. I enjoy it because I do enjoy writing, and as you mentioned, I love the analog feel of things, the inability to edit your thought, and your stream of consciousness has helped incredibly with my perfectionism and anxiety surrounding my writing. I have a ways to go, but seeing your take on journaling has helped a lot. Thanks Matt!

I know this is totally irrelevant but man your handwriting is pretty. In terms of aesthetic IMO

For me daily journaling is like speaking to a friend that will give me the best company! 😄

I’ve been journaling for years. I literally write every single detail of my life, and it’s funny to go back and read my old ones. If anyone has any journaling questions, I’d be happy to help :)

Verge and MKBHD did it for galaxy fold Now he does it for the journal Those shots using a barrel lens.

When you try Journaling and it goes so well but then you start sketching stuff on random pages and ruin everything, I hate myself :P

Hey Matt, please do a tour of your new home. BTW, love your videos, really great and inspiring content.

It helps me when I am stressed. Defenitly a great habit to have. I journal only when I have insights, need to make analysis, self reflection, or some major events in my life thar cause a lot of emotions.

i just recently went on a volunteer trip to nepal with a company and they had one requirement which was to journal. some of us did and some of us didn’t. thankfully, i am among those who did so in the future i can look back at my thoughts and feelings during the trip. mostly i wrote down what happened that day, what i saw, and who i met. i’m so glad i did it. i also bullet journal but that is much less consistent.

Journaling is an excellent coping mechanism!

Try Morning Pages Matt. I think it's the anti-journal for creatives.

1:41 1:06 0:51 1:54 2:11 3:02 3:27 3:47 4:07 4:19 4:22 5:53 6:09 2:15 2:35 My studying page in English.

Been journaling since the 5th grade, back when it was called a "diary". Can't believe it's been 15 or so years already! An overthinker myself, I agree that it does help maintain the right amount of sanity. Here's to more life experiences to journal about!! 📝

Tried and stop as well. Come back to it from time to time. Very relatable Matt and nice video as always.

I've been journaling daily since the end of 2017 after stumbling onto some old scattered entries I wrote when I was 13. Reading those old entries, I realized that I wanted to be able to look back at my thoughts and what I was up to when I was younger and that since my memory admittedly sucks, journaling seemed like a good solution. It also helped me through some hard times dealing with depression and anxiety because it can be really cathartic to let your thoughts loose on something concrete, pen to paper. If I have nothing special to write about, I just do a few sentences about what I did that day.

Honestly, i had the same experience. I realised that the only times i would go back to write in my journal was when my anxiety or depression was bad that day or if something monumental happened. But, other days, i would miss or i just "couldn't find the time". Like you said, it started feeling like a chore to consistently write. However, i think journaling doesn't have to be something we do everyday. It would be ideal if we could because of the obvious benefits. Essentially, we should have the freedom to write when we want to. Perhaps, if we stopped thinking we had to do it everyday, we'd enjoy it more because the obligation wouldn't be there hanging over our heads everytime we didn't.

Dope transition/scan from pen through the journal. I almost felt like it was a "journ"ey through time! 😁

A method of journaling I take and have been successful is setting up an automation called Shortcut in iOS that prompts me questions to answer at a certain time every day. Those answers will be recorded into Notes. I have questions that ask what my mood is, how I am feeling, what am I thinking. This gave my journal a structure and less frictions to journal.

I decided to write a Journal this year 2020

One advantage of journaling is that I can see patterns over the years. Often these are tied to seasons. I noticed that my former husband was especially short tempered every September. He was later diagnosed as bi-polar. Also, it’s easier to gain perspective when looking back at emotional situations. Sometimes I even notice that I was the person being unreasonable.