In two particularly difficult times in my adult life, my journaling practice is helping me heal emotionally. It has been a vital tool for helping me see the bigger picture and land in a place of gratitude.

In 2013, I started to develop troubling physical symptoms. I quickly realized that I was losing control of my muscles. The medical community was ready to label me with a diagnosis, but I wanted to talk to those that thought outside the box. I sought out and began studying wise people and created the Wisdom Research Project.

From my study, I uncovered eight elements that characterize wisdom: Resilience, kindness, positivity, spirituality, humility, tolerance, creativity, and curiosity.

Throughout this time my body continued to deteriorate and, thankfully, journaling helped me address my frustrations. It gave me an outlet for expressing my thoughts and feelings. It was like an objective ear that let me say what I wanted to say. Through journaling, I arrived at a more balanced perspective. It reinstated my sense of gratitude and led me to accept my disability.

And then recently, when my home, my community, and my place of belonging were all torched in the Palisades fire, journaling has helped me take stock of what pieces of my life and identity remain. The qualities I uncovered in my Wisdom Research Project provided me with some perspective and a way to continue forward.

The wise people I interviewed had overcome great obstacles yet weren’t bitter or angry. They were at peace. I journal about how I can learn from their examples and how to integrate their qualities of resilience, positivity, and curiosity.

For example, even in the midst of hardship, they embraced the idea that things don’t happen to you, they happen for you. They see their challenges as a gift for discovering more about themselves and the world through an empathetic lens.

If you are ready to explore starting your own journaling practice, here are some benefits that you can expect to gain as you go along:

1. Offers devoted time to yourself

Journaling is an opportunity to devote time to yourself. The act itself is calming. You will begin to cherish these quiet moments.

2. Allows you time to sort your thoughts

Journaling allows you to be more introspective and to investigate a concern that’s been weighing on you. You’re better able to uncover your true perspectives.

3. Leads to self-improvement

Your examination of situations and what choices you can make when navigating them enables you to understand how to take the high road and break from thoughts of negativity.

4. Shows you a thoughtful path forward

By working through the issues that crop up as you write, you’re able to pursue more well-thought-out and deliberate action.

5. Promotes mindfulness

Journaling focuses your “monkey mind” that so often tends to jump from one thought to the next. You’re better able to fully explore your thoughts back to their source. You will feel more centered.

6. Encourages acceptance

Through the activity of writing about any challenging circumstances, you begin to see them in the context of the larger picture. You become better able to accept the hand you’ve been dealt.

I also can suggest starting with my Common Wisdom Journal that offers prompts based on ways you can integrate the eight elements I uncovered in my Wisdom Research Project. The questions posed offer a way to bring more awareness and meaning to your personal life.