The Power of Journaling

Journaling. The simple practice that quiets the noise in your head

Every morning for years now, I’ve been doing something that changed how I lead my days. I journal. Not the pretty, curated stuff you see on social media, but Julia Cameron’s raw morning pages — three pages of whatever thoughts are swirling in my head, dumped straight onto paper.

A client asked me recently how she could quiet the many voices in her head. You know the ones I mean — the doubt, the criticism, the endless mental chatter that questions every decision and saps your energy before your day even begins. These voices don’t just distract us; they actively hold us back from seizing opportunities and making the impact we’re capable of. Your inner critic is stealing your leadership potential.

Here’s what I’ve discovered: that mental noise isn’t just background static. It’s taking up prime real estate in your mind, the very space you need for creative problem-solving and strategic thinking. When your head is cluttered with self-doubt and worry, there’s no room for the brilliant insights that make great leaders.

Your best ideas are waiting behind the mental clutter.

I’ve watched this transformation in myself and the women leaders I work with who commit to journaling. When you dump all that mental debris onto paper each morning, something remarkable happens. You clear space for what truly matters. Creative solutions emerge. You get strategic. You reconnect with your authentic voice and purpose.

I know what you’re thinking — “One more thing for my already impossible schedule.” But here’s the truth: this isn’t about adding to your plate; it’s about clearing the mental clutter that’s making everything else harder.

Start small, stay consistent. Begin with just ten minutes each morning. Write whatever comes to mind, no editing, no judgment. Let the doubt, the worry, the endless to-do lists spill onto the page. Get them out of your head so you can step into your day with clarity and purpose.

The women who make this a consistent practice tell me the same thing: it doesn’t just change their mornings, it transforms their leadership. When you quiet the noise, your authentic voice — and your best ideas — finally have room to breathe.