A little more than three months ago, I began on a journey—one that required neither a backpack nor a plane ticket. Instead, all I needed was a notebook and a pen. 【小题1】 Come rain or shine. No excuses. Just words on paper, day after day.

Now, as I’ve crossed the finish line of this self-challenge, I’m here to share the invaluable insights I’ve gained, hopefully inspiring you to give this powerful tool a shot.

I’m a great listener to everyone except myself. Most of us spend our days listening to others, through meetings, phone calls, podcasts, or social media. But in that process, we often drown out (淹没) the most important voice—our own. 【小题2】

My mind is an ocean, sometimes calm, often stormy. Through journaling, I was able to see my thought patterns like never before. Some days, my journal entries were as calm as a peaceful ocean. 【小题3】 It was a daily exercise in understanding that our minds, much like the ocean, have ups and downs.

The past is not a prison. 【小题4】 Regrets weren’t barriers, but guides showing me a better way forward. Journaling became a form of self-forgiveness and a process of releasing the past events.

The future is a canvas (画布). Journaling didn’t just make me a historian of my past; it also made me an architect of my future. I was able to plan, dream, and visualize like never before. My entries were filled with ideas, goals, and hopes. 【小题5】My journal turned out to be a price less tool for personal growth and development.