The Power of Journaling: Unlock Your Inner King

For most of my life, expressing my feelings verbally felt like an insurmountable challenge. Learning to communicate effectively with others is still a work in progress. However, there was one outlet that provided immense relief: writing. Keeping a journal, despite not being considered "manly" or "masculine," became my sanctuary. I was often ridiculed for it, but the benefits outweighed the mockery.

When I first started journaling, my entries needed to be more cohesive, nonsensical, and often dark beyond belief. But I felt better writing them. It was as if putting pen to paper allowed me to offload the weight of my thoughts and emotions. Over time, this practice became more than just a relief—it became a way to preserve my good and bad memories. Reading my old entries felt like delving into someone else's biography, offering a unique perspective on my growth and maturity.

Though I never called it a "journal" or "diary," that's precisely what it was, and I'm glad I kept at it. To my surprise, those mundane, confused scribbles provided ample material for my blog, comic books, and even my jokes when I pursued a brief stint in stand-up comedy (a dream unfortunately cut short by COVID-19 travel restrictions). Even today, as an artist, I draw inspiration from things I wrote long ago.

Journaling is therapeutic. It can save you some money on prescription drugs and therapy by offering an outlet to express yourself, even if it's just to your past, present, or future self. So, don't worry about whether it's manly or masculine—write. Write about anything. Write every day. Write often, no matter how short or insignificant it may seem. You'll be glad you did in years to come.

You can write in a notebook, on your smartphone, or your PC. If privacy is a concern, write and burn it, lock it in a safe box, or use a password-protected document. The important thing is to start. It's a process, a good habit, and something we'll have the chance to discuss again in future posts on "I Am King."

I hope this helps. Let's talk about it, or write about it and keep it to yourself. Either way, stay royal, stay regal.

Omar Sanda