Healthy Habits

As I prepared my blank journal, I created a section dedicated to "Healthy Habits." I compiled a list of eight goals I aimed to be more consistent with:

• 30 minutes of daily exercise
• 8 hours of sleep
• Under 3 hours of screen time
• Drinking 64 ounces of water
• 30 minutes of reading
• Practicing mindfulness
• Completing laundry
• Training my dog

Next to each habit, I kept a record of daily achievements, turning it into a personal competition to surpass my previous scores. In December, I managed to accumulate a total of 84 points.

After a month of tracking my progress, I introduced a fun incentive: for every five points I earned, I would treat myself to an additional dollar. Months later, I found myself in a constant quest to outdo my previous self, and, remarkably, I began to remember to do my laundry!

Reframing My Mindset

At the end of each day, I recorded my experiences, but I did so in a unique way. Instead of writing an ordinary diary entry, I approached it as though I were scripting a TV show. It might sound odd, but it proved to be incredibly effective.

I titled my days in a format akin to a TV show, such as “Isabel verb quirky part of the day.” Here’s a fun example from a Tuesday:

Title: Isabel Channels Her Inner Golfer

This creative twist made journaling enjoyable and transformative. By adopting a third-person perspective and humorously narrating events that once upset me, I learned to detach from minor setbacks. What used to bother me, like struggling with golf or poor quiz scores, became mere side plots in the narrative of my life.

Manifesting My Aspirations

I also designed a vision board within my journal, featuring images representing my goals as a method of manifestation and motivation. Strangely enough, many of these aspirations came to fruition.

Here are some notable achievements that materialized:

• Academic Success: I concluded the year with a 4.17 GPA!
• Concert Experience: I attended a concert of one of my favorite artists!
• Hair Goals: My curly hair is now healthier than ever!
• Harvard Program: I was accepted into Harvard’s summer program, which I had to decline for something even more exciting.
• Dream Job: I secured a job in DC that aligns perfectly with my aspirations this summer!
• Acting: I obtained headshots, starred in short films, and even won an award for one of my performances!
• Filmmaking: I received a Scholastic Writing Gold Key Award for one of my screenplays and initiated a film festival!

Creating a vision board is straightforward. Here’s how I approached it:

1. List your aspirations.
2. Browse Pinterest for images that resonate (they don’t need to be exact; just ensure you know their significance).
3. Use Canva to create your collage.
4. Print it out!

In Conclusion

The three months I dedicated to journaling significantly altered my life, and I hope to share the benefits through this piece. Remember, these strategies worked for me because they aligned with my motivations. If a point system isn’t your style, that’s perfectly fine!

The key takeaway is to explore unconventional methods to discover what truly resonates with you for personal growth.