Journal Your Way Forward

Once harnessed as a sexist trope in teenage chick flicks, journaling is now a panacea for modern life. Forget Regina George’s "burn book" of girls to hate on, or Bridget Jones’ diary of struggles with weight, alcohol and men. When it comes to the real world, the act of penning down thoughts goes a long way in boosting mental health and career. These women of #HerWorldTribe share why and how they journal.

- Hayley Tai

STAYING SANE AND FOCUSED

It can be tough to remain grounded when you have a busy schedule. For television host and nutritionist Charlotte Mei, journaling is her way of constantly keeping in touch with herself. Alternating between two physical journals and one digital journal, Charlotte has been penning down her struggles, achievements and gratitude for the people around her for six years. “Journaling helps me ‘hear’ myself,” the 28-year-old quips. “Our daily lives are filled with so much noise from the people and things around us. It can be tough to find your own voice and make the right decisions amid all of this!”

Charlotte Mei,host and nutritionist

WHEN I WRITE, I FEEL SO MUCH MORE SELF- COMPASSION AND EMPATHY FOR MYSELF AND WHAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER

When you’re fighting a lonely battle, journaling offers a listening ear with no judgement, reckons Charlotte. Her habit of recording and taking down bits of her life started when she was going through a tough period in university. Her mind had been clouded with many thoughts about school work and relationships. “Writing out my thoughts helped me find clarity and navigate these issues better. Sometimes, even if nothing came out from it, simply writing it down made it seem like I was talking to someone about it,” she reminisces.