My reading lights gleam in my otherwise dark room as I cuddle up in my fringed, cream blanket next to my window. Mind heavy and hands worn from the stress of the day's events, I take this time to recompose myself for the next day. The lined pages are a comforting sight, eager for me to share my stories.

Journaling is a great way to get in time for yourself in the midst of a hectic lifestyle.

People often think that journaling is a waste of precious time that could be used for sleeping or another activity. That used to be me, prior to January 2015, until I found myself with an empty composition notebook and too many thoughts in my mind.

At first, I didn't know what to write, but I decided it would be a great place to jot down my thoughts. It was as if someone had opened up the floodgates to my dam of thoughts. My hand scrawled across several pages of the crisp composition book, to my disbelief. I decided to make it a habit to journal every day just before going to bed as a way to reminisce over the day's events. And so it began: every day I would look forward to the small period of time before falling asleep just to decompress and take the time to appreciate the day's events. Developing this chunk of time to serve myself allowed me to better appreciate other people and their actions. I found myself being more grateful, more mindful and more confident in myself and my actions.

Journals also serve as a great memory cache. Looking back on my thoughts from when I was younger reflect my past interests and values, as well as reminding me of some genuinely hilarious memories. The most interesting part about recollecting through old journal entries is seeing how I've changed as a person. Because I started my journal around my transition from middle school to high school, I got to see how the choices I made affected who I am today, especially how my friends and family influenced me. One of the best memories I recorded in my journal was a moment with one of my best friends (at the time) who now has moved several thousand miles away. Journals can be a great way to revisit fond memories from the past, especially from vacations and other important events in your life.

The most important way my journal changed my life today is by giving me a voice, even if no one else could hear it. As an extroverted-introvert, I appear to be a social butterfly, but it takes me a lot to share my true feelings and thoughts with others. My journal gave me a safe space to share my hardships and happiness without receiving judgment from people, which allowed me to be as open as possible. In a way, my journal improved my confidence by proving that I have a voice, as small as it may be and that a voice, no matter how strong, can impact others and the world.