Is journaling a waste of time?

Quick answer

The question comes up again and again: journaling never worked for me, did it actually help anyone? One person spent two hours a week on a journal and asked if it was a waste. The answer depends on what it's for.

What 125x is: 125x is a web app at 125x.app. You connect your YouTube subscriptions, and it gives you a feed of the latest videos from the channels you follow, each with a summary: a verdict, the 5 key takeaways, and the spoiler, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips. You read that and decide what's actually worth opening.

When it feels pointless

• Writing daily because you think you should.
• No question to answer, just a blank page.
• Long entries you never reread.

When it earns its time

• Sorting out a decision.
• Reviewing what worked this week.
• Keeping a record you'll enjoy later.

Lighter formats

• Three lines a day: what happened, what you learned, what's next.
• A weekly review instead of daily entries.
• Voice notes if writing feels like a chore.
• See a weekly review.

FAQ: questions people ask

Is journaling worth it?

When it has a purpose, like decisions or weekly reviews, many people find it helps.

What if I hate journaling?

Try three lines a day or a weekly review.

How long should I journal?

A few minutes is enough for many people.

Related guides

• A 15 Minute Weekly YouTube Review That Keeps You Sane
• Is Getting Things Done (GTD) Outdated?
• Do Habit Trackers Work, or Just Make You Feel Guilty?
• Turn Book Takeaways Into Action Before You Forget
• Every 125x guide

125x is a web app at 125x.app that turns your YouTube subscriptions into a feed with a summary on every video, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips, so you can see what's worth opening before you spend the time.

125x is made by Blake Labs Inc. 125x is not made by YouTube or Google.