• ​Alone after the breakup of a long-term relationship. ​
• Unemployed (I left my job. I moved 100 miles away to get out of the town where everything screamed her name at me). ​
• Homeless, crashing on the sofa of the only friend I had left. ​
• Broke, unable to pay loans I took while in a high-paying job. ​
• The last straw came when my new job in a new place fell through because I lost my driving licence. (Too many speeding charges). ​ ​

• ​I am finishing my Coaching and Mentoring Course.
• ​I have a proven life framework. I named it Tree of Life Quest.
• ​And I started a company of the same name to bring the framework to the world. ​To help other people live their lives true to themselves. ​Lives build on who they are, not on who they think they are supposed to be. ​ ​

1. Mental health: Journaling helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
   When you write in a journal, you can express your emotions and feelings. Seeing them in front of you, with your eyes, helps you to identify patterns or triggers affecting your mental health. And it gives you a chance to see which ones are just thoughts without any substance.
   
   
2. Retrospection: Journaling provides an opportunity to reflect on your past and get to know yourself better.
   You explore your values, beliefs and behaviours. Seeing who you are on paper is both, sobering and liberating. And it helps you to focus and improve.
   
   
3. Detachment from the past: Writing about your past experiences helps you to look from above and see the forest, not just the trees.
   You gain a new perspective, you can let go of negative emotions or thoughts. It helps to find closure and move forward.
   
   
4. Clarity: Journaling helps to clarify your thoughts and ideas. ​
   It provides a space to explore options and consider different perspectives. It helps to organise tasks or goals and leads to greater focus and productivity.
   
   
5. Vision: Writing in a journal helps you identify your personal goals and aspirations and create a vision for your future.
   You get a sense of direction and purpose. It nudges you and motivates you to take action towards achieving your goals.
   
   
6. Goal setting, events and To-Dos: Journaling can be an effective tool for setting and achieving personal goals.
   Writing down your goals, events and To-Dos gives a visual overview of where you are and where you want to go.
   Regular review of your progress helps you maintain focus and motivation. It gives you a sense of accomplishment as you achieve your goals. Those ticks on things you finished? They do work. The dopamine hits from making that ticks are awesome.
7. Memories: Looking back at your past writing is a great way to relive any experience
   When you write down what happened during your day there is no limit to what you can do with it. I am re-reading my journals now and it's an amazing reminder of what I went on in my life. My Twitter friend @web_journals turned his journals into a novel! Journaling gives you a lot more than an outlet for your thoughts at that moment. It will keep giving for years to come.

1. Improved memory: Writing by hand improves your memory and helps you retain information better.
   Handwriting engages different parts of the brain than typing does. Writing by hand is especially helpful for reflecting on the past; on your personal experiences and emotions.
   
   
2. Mindfulness and focus: When you write by hand, it keeps you centred. ​
   Yep, that’s an exercise of mindfulness right there. It helps you stay focused on your thoughts and emotions. Plus, it can give you a break from digital distractions and screen time, which is always a good thing.
   
   
3. Personalisation: Handwritten journaling allows you to get creative and add a personal touch to your entries. ​
   You can incorporate drawings. Use different coloured inks. Decorate the pages with stickers, photos or whatnot. The only limit is your imagination.
   
   
4. Emotional release: Writing by hand is often a more emotional experience.
   ​That can help you release pent-up emotions and stress. Plus, if you’re feeling REALLY frustrated or angry, you can tear out the pages or even burn them (safely, of course) as a way to physically let go of those negative thoughts or emotions.
   (Which reminds me: Some day I have to tell you about forgiveness and how burning a list of past sins helps with it.)
   
   
5. Accessibility and convenience: Handwriting requires no technology or electricity.
   It’s easy to use anywhere, anytime. You can carry your journal with you wherever you go, and jot down ideas or thoughts as they come to you.

• increased creativity
• improved communication skills ​
• a greater sense of self-awareness
• deep self-acceptance

What you can do next:

1. Did you find the content valuable?
   Do you know someone who could benefit from information like this?
   Please forward the email to them.
2. Have you been forwarded this email?
   Do you like it?
   Here is the link you can use to subscribe.
   The Growing Tree of Life newsletter is sent out every Thursday.
   Reading time is usually 4 minutes or less.
3. Check out the Tree of Life Quest website.
4. Check out previous issues of the Growing Tree of Life newsletter. They are below the sign-up form at the bottom of the page.
5. Do you have questions, comments, suggestions or complaints?
   I would LOVE to hear from you.
   You can reply to this email or use the Contact me Form.
6. Follow me on Twitter for daily tweets about personal growth, life improvement and occasional threads with tips and tools you can use.
   (Note: I don't post on other platforms too much. Yet.)
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Lubo