How to Be #StudyGoals

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, aka sponsored links that help keep Haley Marie Blog alive. But don't worry: all of the opinions are still my own!

Hello, beautiful! Once again, it's finals szn here on Haley Marie Blog, which means it's time for another study-themed post dedicated to doing well on your upcoming exams.

Lately - and especially around finals - I am obsessed with all things related to bullet journals, planners and prettified notes. In my opinion, there's nothing more satisfying than the way a Zebra Mildliner glides against the creamy paper of my Muji notebook. Can you say "stationery porn" or what?

Anyways, I digress. Since I've been so obsessed with stationery lately, I decided to compile a post that's all about being #StudyGoals. If you, like me, love the idea of beautifully hand-lettered notes and color-coded planners but are daunted by the mere idea of it, then you're in the right place! This post is all about how to create those gorgeous notes you've been ogling on Pinterest and Tumblr for months now, from the tools of the trade to my top tips for studying effectively and efficiently in style.

So, without further ado, here are my best thoughts on how to be #StudyGoals during finals week:

The Right Tools

  

Studying is kind of like an internship in that you should buy tools for the kind of study habits you want to have, not the ones you currently do! (Unless, of course, your study habits are flawless - in which case, good for you, boo! Just don't rub it in...)

Throughout my college career, I've found that it's especially important to me to use stationery that not only helps me feel comfortable and productive, but also looks beautiful. Personally, when I am surrounded by beautiful things, I feel so much more motivated to give back by being creative and putting even more wonderful things out there through my blog and my other writing projects! 

So, even if the idea of buying kawaii stationery imported from Japan makes some people's eyes roll, I'm going to keep doing it, because it's what helps motivate me to put my head down, work hard and do my best at whatever it is I strive to do. 

That being said, if you, like me, are motivated by having the right tools for the job, check out the two lists below: one of my favorite places to shop for the cutest stationery out there, and one of my favorite products to stock up on in bulk! (But fellow bibliophiles beware: get ready for an hours-long online shopping binge....)

My Favorite Places to Buy Stationery

• Amazon. Classic, cheap and effective, Amazon always gets the job done when you're looking to fill an order fast. They carry some of my favorite brands of stationery, ranging from Muji pens and notebooks to Zebra Mildliners to Tombow dual brush pens. Amazon is like the Target of the Internet: you really can't go wrong! (And you'll probably leave with more in your cart than you actually meant to buy.)
• Muji USA. Though I love Japanese-originated stationery shop Muji for a plethora of reasons, I am obsessed with Muji's notebooks above all else. Their paper is just so soft that pens practically glide across it - they're like no other notebooks around! (And at $1.50 per 30-page notebook, you can't argue with their prices, either.)
• Mochithings. This online retailer found its way into my Pinterest feed one day - and as they say, the rest is history! I instantly fell in love with the brand's affordable prices and carefully curated selection of kawaii AF stationery and storage. If you're the kind of person that needs drawer dividers for your drawer dividers, let's just say you'll take immense satisfaction in the kind of attention to detail that Mochithings' products take.
• Kawaii Pen Shop. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't fall into multiple shopping spirals on Kawaii Pen Shop in the making of this blog post. This site is basically a warehouse for kawaii Japanese and Korean stationery....only way cuter than that basement warehouse your mom shops at. (Sorry, Mom!) The best part? Nearly everything is super cheap - like, we're talking $20.00 or less cheap. On a college budget, that's something I can definitely get behind! 

My Favorite Stationery Products

• ban.do 2018 12-Month Compact View Planner in Rose Parade. I bought this planner as a Christmas gift to myself in 2017...and usually by this time, I get sick of my planner and start looking into getting a new one. This year with my ban.do agenda has been the first year I haven't done that in a very, very long time! I'm so in love with its adorable designs, sleek layout and peppy compliments. It's everything a girl could possibly want in her weekly agenda, and oh-so-much-more as well! 
• Muji Gel Ink Ball Point Pen, 0.38-mm. Black gel pens are one of those staples every college girl needs - and these are amazing! Not only are they super cheap, but they dry quickly and won't bleed through paper the way your mom's old neons would in middle school. I highly recommend stocking up before finals so you won't run out of ink in the middle of an important essay....not that I know from experience.
• Pilot Precise V5 Stick Rolling Ball Pens, Extra Fine Point. Another favorite pen for me is the Pilot V5 Precise pen. These roller ball pens have an extra-fine tip that makes them perfect for bullet journaling or taking notes in the margins of your textbooks - and unlike most roller balls, they'll actually last you forever! 
• GANSSIA Colorful Series Design 0.7mm Mechanical Pencils. These mechanical pencils come in an array of pastels that really, truly brighten my day whenever I see them. As much as I tend to prefer pen, there's a time and a place for pencils - and when I'm reaching for one, it's almost always going to be my GANSSIA 0.5 mm mechanicals. End of story.
• Zebra Highlighter Mildliner, 5 Color Set. A cult classic among bullet journalers and studyblrs alike, Zebra's affordable pastel Mildliners are light enough that they won't bleed through just about anything.
• Stabilo BOSS Original Highlighter. Another highlighter you've probably spotted on your favorite #bujo or #studygram pic? The Stabilo BOSS highlighter, which adds a hint of color that won't dry out as quickly as my Mildliners did.
• Kokuyo Campus Notebook Semi B5. Kokuyo's Campus series of notebooks comes in everything from dotted paper, to blank paper, to graph paper, to lined paper, not to mention all your favorite shapes and sizes. Personally, I prefer the B5 size, college-ruled, for taking notes and jotting down to-do lists after class.
• MUJI Notebook. Ultimately, however, Muji's notebooks are my ride-or-die product for all things class, work and school-related. I love the way their paper feels when I flip the page, and find the thin lines and creamy pages just so satisfying. Personally, I buy the 70-sheet A5 size with 6mm rules, which cost about $8.00 per notebook.

The Right Techniques

So much of getting good grades in college has been learning how to study. It was the same adjustment I went through when I switched from middle to high school: suddenly, the way professors taught shifted, and I had to relearn all of my old study habits to adapt to my new environment.

Thus, naturally, being #StudyGoals in college is all about developing good habits - and nixing the bad ones! - ASAP. I won't say that I'm an expert at studying by any means, but I do think that time and practice have helped me developed some pretty helpful tricks for memorizing, retaining and recalling information.

That being said, the skills I've learned have definitely made me a better student in my college classes. That's why I'm going to share all my best study habits with you, so you too can learn to be #StudyGoals - not just on Instagram, but on your final exams, too!

My Favorite Study Techniques

1. Cornell notes. If you haven't started using the Cornell note-taking system yet, now's the perfect time to start! In this note-taking system, you use columns to organize your notes by subject line. Then, you write a summary at the end of each page of notes condensing the information you've learned in that reading. In my opinion, writing those summaries is one of the best ways to get information in your own words and really assess how well you know something. So, I always strive to do this when I'm taking notes - especially when it comes to self-guided readings that aren't accompanied by a professor's lecture. 
2. Use the Pomodoro technique. Ever find yourself getting distracted from studying by, you know, everything under the sun? Me, too! If you're having trouble keeping yourself away from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Buzzfeed (because let's face it - who doesn't want to know what Game of Thrones character they are based on their horoscope), etc., try using the Pomodoro technique. In this technique, you set a timer to study for 50 minutes, followed by a dedicated 10 minute break. Believe it or not, taking these kinds of short, frequent breaks actually makes you more productive than cramming for hours on end - so feel free to take that Buzzfeed quiz in your downtime! Just download a timer such as StudyBreak to keep you on track ;)
3. Search for flashcards on Quizlet. Making flashcards is a useful study habit, but I often find that the actual process of making 100+ flashcards for a final ends up being an ineffective use of my time. That's why I love Quizlet so much: you can easily search for flashcards made by students who previously took the same class, whether at your school or a different university, and study using their decks. Not to mention, there are some pretty fun games you can play with their flashcards (as well as practice tests) to assess how well you're doing and develop healthy study habits. I especially recommend downloading the Quizlet app for a fun, efficient way to study on the go, whether that's during your morning commute to class or on a 10-minute break during a long lecture.
4. Explain the material to someone else. In my opinion, the best way to figure out if you know the material or not is to try teaching it to someone else. If you can explain a complicated concept to someone who's not taking the class, whether that's communications theory or organic chemistry, then you're golden. So, find yourself a study buddy who doesn't mind listening to a long rant (and offer to do the same for them!). That'll honestly be one of the best tests of how well you know the material - plus, it's always more fun to study with a friend!
5. Go to office hours. As cliche as it sounds, developing a relationship with your professors outside of class is honestly one of the best things you can do for your GPA. Not only does it show your professors how invested you are in your academics, but it also provides a great opportunity to ask specific questions that might not have been covered in class. My advice? Come with an index card of 3-5 questions you want to touch on during your discussion. That way, you'll be able to most effectively use your time and the professor's time to your advantage.
6. Attend TA-led review sessions. Another great way to get study hacks straight from the source is to attend any review sessions led by your TA or lab instructor. While the TA might not be able to tell you the exact exam questions, he or she probably has the best guess of anyone as to what material is going to appear on the test. Plus, it's their job to know the material covered in class like the back of their hand - so who better to ask all your burning questions during test prep than your TA?

What's your favorite way to study for finals? LMK in the comments below or @haleymarieblog on social media!

A College Girl's Guide to Traveling Solo + Free Packing List

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, aka paid links that help keep Haley Marie Blog alive. But don't worry: all of the opinions are still my own! 

Hello, beautiful! I have a confession to make: I've never flown by myself before. There, I said it! I've been to Paris, London, Wales, Alaska, San Francisco - you name it. But never have I ever gone anywhere alone...until now, that is.

On May 3rd, I'll board a plane by myself in Boston and land in Pennsylvania, where I'll spend five days soaking up every second with my long-distance boyfriend (but that's a whole other post!). There's not a single part of that sentence that doesn't excite me, but for every ounce of excitement, there's also a small pang of stress, anxiety and fear.

Traveling usually makes me nervous in a good way, sending an adrenaline rush down my spine. But then again, I've never been the one in charge of all the not-so-glamorous bits of traveling before. From the boarding passes to the checked baggage fees to the TSA's ever-evolving rules and requirements, I have to admit I'm a little overwhelmed by the whole process of traveling alone....

....which is precisely why I decided to write this post for you guys! I know that for every question I have about traveling alone, you guys probably have three. So, I decided to do some research and come up with some pro tips for traveling solo that we can both take advantage of on our next adventures!

P.S. Stay tuned until the end of the post to download my free printable packing list for all your upcoming travel needs ;)

Do: Dress the Part

 

Whenever I was a little kid and headed to the airport with my family, I always took pride in choosing the perfect outfit to travel in. After all, I wanted to look glamorous and cultured like the celebrities I aspired to be like! (Cough cough Audrey Hepburn cough.) But as I've gotten older, I've learned one thing about traveling that's super important: comfort comes first. 

Especially if you're taking a lengthy international flight or a redeye, you should prioritize being comfortable sitting down for hours at a time over wearing your favorite pair of skinny jeans. In fact, I would argue that you should avoid skinny jeans altogether, since long-haul flights can mess with your circulation! (For that reason, I recommend a cute pair of slip-ons - sweater Uggs, anyone? - and fuzzy socks for the plane.)

Last but not least, stay warm by dressing in layers! In my experience, the temperature inside airplanes rarely matches the temperature outside them - so bring a light jacket, sweatshirt or cardigan and a trusty blanket scarf to keep you warm and cozy in the chilly outsets of the atmosphere.

Don't: Check Baggage

You know those international flights for $99 that almost seem too good to be true? Well, that's because they are: usually, they charge money to bring anything more than a small personal item onboard (including carryons!). Instead, I recommend splurging on tickets with an airline you know and trust, which usually includes a carryon with each ticket. 

To avoid the extra surcharge for checking baggage, I recommend packing a carryon with a well-planned capsule wardrobe of 10-15 pieces (or less!). You would be surprised at how many outfit combinations you can make for a weeklong trip with just a few items in your wardrobe. 

Planning your outfits ahead of time can prevent you from overpacking and help you fit all your clothes into a smaller carryon. My favorite way to plan outfits as of lately has been the Cladwell app, which lets you create a virtual wardrobe full of pieces that look similar to your own. 

Cladwell's best feature is the capsule feature, which lets you select a group of pieces in your wardrobe and advises you on how to combine them into outfit combinations. Example? I picked out 14 pieces to pack for my five-day trip to visit David in PA and it returned nearly 40 outfit combinations. And that doesn't even include accessories!

Do: Separate Liquids and Medications 

We all know that the TSA has regulations about what size liquids you can bring on an airplane...but something I just learned about the TSA? Medications must also be separated along with liquids! Who knew, right?

The rules are that you are only allowed to bring liquids under 3.4 oz, and that the total amount of liquids you bring must fit inside a clear, one-quart plastic bag. The only exception is if you need to bring medications such as ointments or liquid medicines that are over 3.4 oz; however, they may be subject to additional screening from the TSA. So, be sure to set your medicines aside in a separate plastic bag and remove them from your carryon along with your toiletries!

One way I like to save money when I travel is by buying the empty miniature bottles and filling them myself, rather than stocking up on all the miniature versions of my favorite products. However, a few things I always buy in the travel sizes include: Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes, Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray and Batiste Dry Shampoo Divine Dark.

Don't: Bring a Full Water Bottle

For obvious reasons, you shouldn't bring a full bottle of water (or any liquid) into airport security! Believe it or not, this is something many people - myself included - tend to forget...and then we wind up disappointed when the TSA officer asks us to dump out our Starbucks in the nearest trash can. (Not that that would ever happen to me, of course.)

Instead, what my mom always taught me to do growing up was to bring an empty reusable water bottle in my backpack and fill it up at the water fountains. If the idea of drinking airport water freaks you out, follow in my footsteps and invest in a water bottle with a Brita filter! This might sound crazy, but I swear to God you can taste the difference.

As for your morning or afternoon coffee, wait until you cross through TSA to chug that cuppa' joe. Because Starbucks may be the love of my life, but it definitely tastes better in my mouth than in the trashcan outside airport security.

Do: Chew Gum 

This is probably the first "travel tip" I ever learned! Ever since I was a little girl, my mom used to take my brother and I out to buy magazines and fresh packs of gum for our trips to visit my grandparents in California.

The reason for the gum? That minty fresh taste does more than just make your breath smell better. In fact, it helps relieve that nasty air pressure that builds up inside your eardrums. So, chewing a piece or two of your favorite gum during takeoff and landing can make you feel a thousand times better by the time those airplane wheels hit the runway.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Trident Sugar Free Gum in Minty Sweet Twist - it's a classic. However, Simply Gum is perfect for those of you who are conscious of your health and what goes into your body, whereas Project 7 Gourmet Gum makes unique flavors for the more adventurous gum enthusiast. Regardless of what kind you choose, I promise this hack will make your travel experience ever the slightest bit more comfortable.

Don't: Waste Your Layover

Let's face it: while direct flights are always the dream, sometimes that three- or four-hour layover is simply unavoidable. My motto? Rather than resenting the boredom that often accompanies these hours-long holding periods, try to make the most of your time wherever you are! 

If you're in a city with an extraordinarily long layover - like, we're talking 6+ hours here, people! - you might consider leaving the airport and doing a little sightseeing while you're in town. For example, I booked a flight to Italy for this August that includes a 12-hour layover in Munich, Germany, so I'm planning to spend the day exploring castles and beer gardens before boarding my plane at night.

On the other hand, if you're simply stuck in one place for a couple of hours, I highly recommend staying within the bounds of the airport so you don't risk getting left behind in the hustle and bustle of airport security. However, that doesn't mean you still can't explore! In fact, staying on your feet during a long layover is a great way to stretch your legs and avoid blood clots once you catch your next flight.

Do: Pack the Perfect Travel Bag

Packing the right bag can make or break your flying experience, determining everything from how bored you are during your flight to how well you sleep to how much you're able to take onboard. That's why I always take special care to pack a travel bag - aka that TSA "personal item" everyone's always talking about - that meets my needs when I'm on the go.

That being said, here's a short sampling of things I strive never to forget when I'm jetsetting between states:

• ID and passport. Because, well, duh.
• Empty water bottle. As discussed before, reusable water bottles save money and the environment, and won't get you busted by TSA.
• Hand lotion and chapstick. Flights can be extremely drying. That's why it's important to keep your skin quenched throughout the course of your adventure! (Drinking water helps here, too.)
• Emergen-C and hand sanitizer. I don't know about you, but I tend to get sick every time I fly somewhere new. Prepare yourself to take on the germy airport wth a healthy, portable dose of vitamin C and some germ-proof sanitizers.
• Kindle. I used to be one of those girls who never wanted a Kindle because she'd miss the feeling of paper and ink beneath her fingers (still true!). But I will admit that I'm in love with how the miracle of technology has made it possible to take thousands of books wherever I go in one small, rose gold package - which I am especially grateful for on long-haul flights.
• Portable charger. Outlets on airplanes tend to be, well, nonexistent. (Unless you pay extra for all those in-flight accommodations, that is.) That's why I like to bring my own portable charger for a little extra juice at cruising altitude.
• Healthy, non-perishable snacks. Last but not least, what's a solo trip without a little in-flight snacking? Some of my favorite plane-friendly snacks to munch on mid-flight include LUNA Protein Mint Nutrition Bars, Modern Oats All Natural Oatmeal Cups and Trader Joe's Simply Almonds, Cashews & Cranberries Trek Mix.

Don't: Forget Anything! 

Last but not least, make sure you've packed all the right essentials for your trip by using my free printable packing list! This list will help you prepare for your next adventure with little more than carry-on luggage. Simply click on the image below to enlarge and print your free checklist, courtesy of yours truly :) You're welcome, babes!

What in-flight essentials couldn't you live without? 

LMK in the comments below!

Healthy Groceries on a College Budget

Hello, beautiful! I'm on another health kick here at Haley Marie Blog, so today I'm bringing you a post all about how I shop for healthy groceries on a college budget.

Admittedly, I did a post very similar to this one awhile back about my favorite place in the world, aka good ol' Trader Joe's. But today, I wanted to revisit the topic to talk about what I eat in a normal week in greater detail and show you guys how easy it is to eat healthy - even when you don't feel like cooking!

When you're a busy college gal rushing around campus, eating healthy might feel impossible. After all, those meal prepped salads you see on Instagram definitely take a lot more time than picking up a Panera bread bowl on your way home from class. But I'm here to show you that you don't need to be a 'Gram star to start treating your body like the temple it is.

In fact, the hallmark of my daily diet is that I love to eat things I can just throw together in a heartbeat. What I'll be talking you through today is a handful of my favorite lazy day staples for munching on when I don't feel like eating "real food." (Which, if I'm being honest, is what ends up happening most days!)

On that note, here's what I typically eat in a day and how I shop for healthy groceries on a scrappy college budget. Let's get started :)

Produce

In any healthy diet, fresh fruits and veggies should be the foundation of what you eat on a daily basis. One of the most helpful tips I've ever heard about healthy grocery shopping is to try to shop the perimeter of the store, as that's where you'll find the freshest fruits, vegetables and other products with minimal processing!

Here are some of my favorite things to buy in the produce aisle for a healthy diet and why I love to eat them so much:

• Mini peppers. The easiest snack to munch on between classes, and my favorite way to sneak in some healthy veggies! 
• Red grapes. Grapes are the perfect finger food for snacking on-the-go. Toss some in a bag on your way to class and chew away.
• Bagged broccoli. You know, the kind that can be steamed in the bag in the microwave...you'll never find an easier way to sneak veggies into your dinner than this! 
• Romaine lettuce. For piled-high Caesar salad dinners and topping off a sandwich between classes.
• Baby carrots. Another finger food I love to munch on when I'm on the run! Perfect for tossing in a bag on your way to your next class.
• Guacamole. A must-have dip for eating with multigrain tortilla chips (see below), peppers or carrots.

Meat & Dairy

After I quit being vegan/vegetarian in January 2018, I was able to incorporate a lot more healthy options into my diet and finally get that variety I'd craved for so long. One of the things I am still passionate about when it comes to meat, however, is buying cage-free, antibiotic-free and hormone-free whenever possible. (Organic is great, too, if you can swing it!)

Here are just a sampling of the staples I like to pick up when I'm cruising through the meat and dairy aisles at my local grocery store:

• Hormone-free chicken. I like to freeze chicken for making everything from lightened-up chicken alfredo to sweet and sour chicken over rice. But because I'm conscious of the balance of estrogen in my body, it's super important to me to avoid brands that feed their chickens growth hormones. That's why I look for hormone-free varieties instead!
• Roast turkey slices. My favorite meal to make on the go is a turkey and muenster cheese sandwich. Add a couple baby carrots and you've got yourself an easy lunch or dinner of champions.
• Organic cheese slices. Much like hormone-free chicken, I also look for hormone-free dairy products whenever possible. They're perfect to keep on hand for making one of my favorite comfort meals, grilled cheese with sliced tomato.
• Siggi's yogurt. Siggi's is my favorite brand of yogurt because it's creamy, tart and oh-so delicious! Technically, it's Icelandic-style Skyr rather than yogurt, but it's the perfect breakfast or snack nonetheless.
• Organic milk. I like to keep organic milk on hand for cooking, particularly when I make Annie's macaroni and cheese on lazy days ;) I always try to buy full-fat dairy whenever possible because it's better for acne-prone skin than the low-fat or fat-free stuff that has added sugar in it.
• Vanilla Coffeemate. Moderation is key to any healthy diet - and for me, my sweetened coffee is the one thing I won't give up for anyone or anything. The one thing I try to look for is products that don't contain high-fructose corn syrup. Other than that, I give myself free reign when it comes to making my coffee taste amazing! 

Snacks & Pantry

A lot of healthy foodies will rave on and on about how you should try to eat minimally processed snacks - and for the most part, I agree! However, there are some times in life when we just have to forgive ourselves for what we eat when we're super busy and on the go. 

In my opinion, at these times, it's much better to prepare healthier packaged snacks than to go for the good old-fashioned cookies, cakes and Coca Cola. That being said, here are some of my favorite snacks and pantry items in that category to stock up on for busy days:

• Salad dressing (with no added sugar!). Salad dressing is one of those sneaky places that food industry giants like to slip sugar into. So, make sure you read labels so you find the most minimally processed option you can! (I'm a fan of the Annie's and Trader Joe's brands.)
• Multigrain tortilla chips. If you're gonna eat chips and tip, my philosophy is to at least get some whole grains in there whenever possible! On busy days, I've even been known to eat chips and guac for dinner. Not that I recommend that, of course...
• White wheat bread. If you're like me and super picky about the texture of your food, I highly recommend white wheat bread. It's just as soft as the Wonderbread you remember from your childhood, while still getting in those 100% whole grains. (The Trader Joe's brand is, as always, my personal fave!) P.S. Read the label and try to avoid that high-fructose corn syrup. Sneaky, sneaky devil that stuff is! 
• Dark chocolate trail mix. Last but not least, if you need a snack that's perfect for running all over campus, trail mix is the way to go. Trader Joe's makes my favorite blend: it's simply almonds, cashews and dark chocolate with a hint of salt. Mm, mm, mmmm!

What are your favorite cheap, healthy eats on a college budget? LMK in the comments below!

5 Reasons to Start a Journal

Hello, beautiful! Long time, no see...or write, if you want to get technical about it ;)

You might have noticed that it's been more than awhile since my last blog post. After ending a long-term relationship, I recently took some time for myself to practice self-care and get back into the dating scene.

In fact, that period of self-care is what inspired my latest blog post called 10 Reasons to Start a Journal! Following a particularly complicated hookup experience, I started journaling again after months of silence to help work myself through all my mixed emotions on the subject.

I'm a huge proponent of journaling as a way to get thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Realizing your thoughts on paper, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to get to know yourself and help yourself through tough decisions....but more on that later!

If you want to know all about why I love journaling so much, just keep scrolling - and don't forget to share the post on social media @haleymarieblog if it speaks to you :)

1. Journaling is like therapy.

I'm the kind of person who very much needs to use words to work her way through the experiences and thoughts in my head. That's why I'm a huge fan of talking things out with a friend or my therapist - but what happens when it's just you alone with your thoughts?

For me, that's where journaling comes in. Journaling is almost like having a non-judgmental third person - a therapist, even - to convey all of your deepest thoughts and emotions to. But unlike a human third party, you never have to worry about your journal gossiping or subtweeting about all your darkest secrets! 

2. Journaling helps you remember.

Pulling out my old journals from middle school is cringeworthy, to say the least - but TBH, at almost 20 years old, I'm happy I still kept some of the things I wrote during my childhood. Was my handwriting bad, and my story ideas worse? Yes, absolutely. Does looking back on my middle school crushes give me nausea? Of course. But am I still glad I remember all those moments, both good and bad, because I took the time to write them down? Hell freakin' yes! 

As an adult, nothing makes me happier than knowing that crucial moments like my first kiss or the moment I lost my virginity are written down for safekeeping. Even if I don't look at them for years, I'd love to be able to look back on them with my children or grandchildren and reflect on everything I've experienced and learned over my long lifetime. In a way, looking through old journals is the same as looking through a scrapbook of all your favorite memories - and I just can't get enough of it.

3. Journaling forces you to slow down.

I can't even count the number of times I've woken up in the morning and laid down in bed and wondered what the hell happened to all the time in-between. On crazy busy days, the whole day can literally flash before my eyes - and suddenly, like magic, I'm already one day older. 

That's the incredible thing about journaling: sitting down with a journal forces you to slow down and be mindful of the present moment. That way, on those crazy busy days, at least I get one chance to take time out of my schedule to be alone with my thoughts. It might be the only chance I get all day to sit down and reflect, but at least I get that moment through keeping my journal!

4. Journaling teaches you how to be alone.

As an ambivert (i.e. someone who has qualities of both an extravert and an introvert), going through a recent breakup really opened my eyes to how much I hate being alone. Because I have qualities of an introvert, retreating is usually my first instinct after something mind-boggling or heart-wrenching happens to me - but because I'm an extravert, being alone with those thoughts can drive me crazy to the point of sheer misery.

Since starting up my journal again, I'm proud to say that I have relearned how to be alone with my thoughts - and how to be okay with that! When you're someone who feeds off the energy of others (like me!), it can be tough to come home to an empty apartment. But thanks to journaling, those moments no longer feel aimless or sad. Instead, I see being alone as an opportunity to reconnect with myself and remember all the best parts of what it means to be me.

5. Journaling holds you accountable.

Last but not least, I'm a big believer of using journals not only to work through difficult emotions, but also to keep you on track for achieving your biggest, wildest dreams. Whenever I set a goal for myself, I like to write it down and outline the steps for achieving it in a notebook or journal so I can reflect on how far I've come down the line.

Keeping a journal for your goals is like having a buddy or coach built into your day at all times. After all, unlike a friend or trainer, your journal is always there for you to write down how many miles you ran or how many pages you read toward your goal. That way, you learn to hold yourself accountable instead of depending on others to do it for you. 

Would you consider starting a journal? LMK in the comments below!