Just Ask Yourself: Why?

Journaling gave me the benefits of having a therapist, mindset coach, and go-to best friend, all in one. With an astounding 70,000 thoughts per day, it’s understandable why I wanted to calm my mind down. It let me brain dump, discover the root of my issues, and create personalized mental models that worked best for me.

As I wrote about my feelings, my confusions, and areas of improvement, each breath became deeper and step became lighter. I felt heard, understood, and empathized with. The best part? There was zero judgement. My thoughts and heavy emotions were secure in my college-ruled notebook.

All this writing, ranting, and complaining, led me to a catalytic moment.

Why?

Consistently asking myself why, about everything, paved a path to an exciting and simple realization. I finally understood why certain things bothered me. I finally understoodwhy I had specific patterns in my life. I finally understood why I felt the way I did.

Here’s my why: I wasn’t giving myself all the things I was externally seeking. I wasn’t giving myself the love, attention, and validation that I was pointlessly searching in other people, experiences, or objects.

No amount of jewelry would make me feel beautiful unless I felt beautiful at my core.

No amount of parties would make me feel included unless I internally felt like I belonged to myself.

No amount of deep conversations would make me feel understood unless I didn't understand myself.

I realized that I could solve many of my problems myself. I could easily, and limitlessly give myself all that I desperately craved. This clarity gave rise to effective, hand-crafted solutions. I began to understand what true love, attention, and inclusion felt like to me. It was no longer limited to social gatherings, exciting texts, or shopping sprees.

It was as simple as paying full attention to whatever I was doing in the moment.

Letting myself to give my undivided focus to myself made me feel seen, prioritized, and important. It wasn’t an elated feeling; rather, it was a deep satisfaction that no “high” could give me.

Journaling unlocked a priceless key for me: fulfillment, happiness, and belonging is closer than my breath. It’s all right here. It’s up to me to see it.