Vent: I quit noting down every thought and actually sleep better now

Everyone talks about how writing out your worries before bed clears your head... but for me, it did the opposite. I started doing this because articles said it reduces stress, but I'd lie there adding more stuff to the list instead of letting go. After a week, I was staying up later, my brain buzzing with all the things I'd put on paper. So I stopped cold turkey and just tried to let thoughts pass without grabbing them. Now, I don't have that notebook by my bed, and I fall asleep faster without that nightly review. I know it helps some people, but for me, over-thinking on paper just made anxiety worse. Sometimes the best move is to not pick apart every little thing... and that's okay.

2 comments

2 Comments

jakebell1d ago

Yeah, the part about doing it because articles said to really hits. I tried bullet journaling a few years back because the internet was obsessed with it (all those perfect spreads, you know?). Instead of feeling organized, I just felt stressed about making my to-do list look pretty. Eventually I just went back to a basic notepad for quick work stuff and left my personal brain entirely alone.

hart.sean23h ago

Two summers ago, I bought a dozen markers for journaling only to use them once. Now I just scribble on scrap paper (it feels way less pressured).