I learned the value of journaling when I did the SEP in 2011 - but after that, I would only get out the pen and paper when I was having a setback and got really desperate. Even though I'd read Nicole's book, and have been listening to her podcasts for many months, I still couldn't make it a regular habit for a long time. But by listening to her podcast every week, I was finally convinced to make it a daily habit, and I have to say that even though the times are hard and stressful, my state of mind and body are both hugely improved over the months prior.
I write at night, which I think clears my mind for better sleep. I do free-writing, just scribbling stream-of-conciousness stuff onto crappy notepaper, which I recycle when it's full. I have also added the habit of finding at least one thing to write down for which I am grateful - big or small, I don't think it matters. It turns out that it's not at all hard to do, and whatever it is, it always makes me smile. That's a good way to end the day!
