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2025-03-25 02:22:32Maybe it’s the novelty, or perhaps a placebo effect. Maybe it's the sense of finally accomplishing something I’ve set out to do a long time ago. But the first impression is that writing has already begun to clear my mind. It seems to be one of the most powerful ways to improve thinking. Developing the habit of writing could lead to becoming a better thinker.
This journal is meant to reflect whatever’s on my mind. But posting it online comes with a different set of pros and cons compared to what most productivity gurus recommend. For instance, I’ll cut out personal thoughts or sensitive information—something essential in a personal journal. I could mitigate such flaw by writing two versions: one for public view and one for myself, but that feels like too much hassle when I’m just starting this new habit (as James Clear advises, make your habits easy!). On the flip side, posting on cyberspace forces me to be mindful of you, dear reader. Writing for myself alone would allow me to leave empty spaces between familiar ideas and have no problem joining the dots later. But here, fortunately, that luxury doesn’t exist.
Another complementary habit that’s been nagging at me lately is reading, especially fiction—not for learning, but for the pure joy of reading without the pressure to take notes or analyze everything. I just came across this post and despite not being plagued by the obsessive use of smart phones and social media, these two phrases caught my eye:
Reading literary fiction has been linked to having more empathy and the ability to engage in critical thinking
I’ve always valued critical thinking, so that didn’t surprise me. But the link to empathy caught my attention. It made me think about how reading fiction let us experience different perspectives, possibly engaging the same mirror-neurons activated during real-life interactions. Fascinating how something that sharpens our minds can also help us connect with others on a deeper level.
I feel like myself again. Did I mention I’m also sleeping better, and feel happier too?
This quote resonated on a deep level. For me, a single day of writing has given me a most welcomed sense of accomplishment due to being true to myself. Combining journaling with joyful reading might be one of the most powerful boosts to both sleep quality and a sense of purpose I’ve experienced in a long time.