I began journaling daily at the start of 2020. Originally, it was just a way to work through a major decision, but the Covid-19 pandemic quickly cemented the habit. With more time at home and a growing sense that we were living through a historic moment, I felt compelled to record my days.
At first, I resisted the idea of journaling. It felt indulgent, maybe even a little embarrassing—like something I shouldn’t admit to doing. But over time, it became a steady part of my routine and a practice that has strengthened me both personally and professionally.
Through my own experience, I’ve come to believe that daily journaling—writing privately, from yourself to yourself—is one of the most effective ways to develop confidence and clarity as a writer. Even if your journal looks nothing like your professional writing, the practice builds skills that directly support your work.
1. Bad first drafts are a skill—and journaling teaches it
Most adults learned to write in environments where their work was judged: school papers, performance reviews, big workplace projects. When writing always feels high-stakes, perfectionism creeps in. Many professionals I work with are so focused on producing polished, “safe,” don’t-embarrass-me writing that they can’t relax enough to think clearly on the page. The result is frustration and difficulty getting to a strong final draft.
Journaling helps release that perfectionism because it’s allowed—expected, even—for your writing to be messy. No one else will read it. No one is grading you.
2. Journaling makes all writing less intimidating
Think of it as exposure therapy. The more often you write, even just a few lines a day, the less daunting writing becomes. Many adults only write when they absolutely must, which makes each writing task feel like a big deal. Daily journaling normalizes the act of writing and makes it feel more natural when larger projects arise.
It also builds muscle memory: reaching for your notebook, picking up a pen, settling into your writing spot. The more familiar the ritual, the easier it is to begin.
3. Writing by hand strengthens memory
I encourage analog journaling over digital. Handwriting has been shown to support memory and understanding more effectively than typing. Because writing by hand is slower, you can’t simply transcribe thoughts—you’re forced to process, synthesize, and truly engage.
Research shows that handwriting activates multiple regions of the brain involved in motor, sensory, and cognitive processing. Putting pen to paper blends physical action with intellectual attention. Over time, it also builds your comfort with writing by hand in other settings, like meetings.
4. Unfiltered writing strengthens your voice
A consistent journaling practice reveals your authentic voice—something that matters in your professional life as much as your personal one. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer, your writing often shapes first impressions: emails, Slack messages, LinkedIn posts, website copy.
Many people sound nothing like themselves in writing. Journaling helps you recognize how you naturally think and speak, without filtering. You may not want your professional writing to mirror your private thoughts exactly—you might curse in your journal, for example—but knowing your real voice helps you craft writing that feels genuine rather than stiff or performative.
5. Journaling pairs well with existing habits
If you’re new to journaling, habit stacking can help. Add a few minutes of writing to something you already do daily—making coffee, riding the train, reading the news. Create a ritual around it: choose a notebook, a pen you enjoy, a place where your journal “lives.” Try writing nonstop for five minutes, or while you drink your first cup of coffee.
If you’re unsure what to write, prompts make it easier. Start with stems like:
“Today I’ve been thinking about…”
“The best/worst part of my day has been…”
Over time, you may find that prompts fall away as the practice becomes more natural.
Like any healthy habit—a morning run, an afternoon walk—journaling may require discipline at first. But with time, it can become a grounding ritual you’ll find hard to imagine doing without.