If there’s one thing I’ve learned from journaling, it’s that clichés aren’t as boring as we make them out to be. Sure, they’re predictable, overused, and sometimes even annoying. But isn’t life itself a series of repetitive, beautifully chaotic patterns? In my book, Diary of Clichés, I explore how these phrases—dismissed as uninspired—hold a mirror to the universality of the human experience.
Clichés Are Everywhere, and That’s Okay
“Everything happens for a reason.” “Time heals all wounds.” “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
We’ve all rolled our eyes at these sayings, especially in moments when life feels unbearably heavy. But when I lost my job last year, those same platitudes showed up like old friends. Not because they magically solved my problems, but because they held a quiet truth: life is cyclical, healing takes time, and challenges do forge resilience—whether you like it or not.
As I scribbled my way through anger, grief, and self-discovery, I realized these tired phrases weren’t the problem. My resistance to them was. Clichés are shortcuts to understanding universal truths, and my diary became a place to untangle their meaning in my own messy, heartfelt way.
Finding Comfort in the Familiar
There’s a reason we fall back on clichés—they’re comforting. When you’re going through something uncharted, a familiar saying can feel like a lighthouse in the storm.
One day, while writing yet another diary entry filled with self-doubt, the phrase “this too shall pass” came to mind. I’d heard it a hundred times, probably muttered it to others in their tough times, but it hit differently in the quiet of my writing. It wasn’t just a phrase; it was a reminder of impermanence, a nudge to hold on.
Suddenly, my pen moved faster. Writing became more than a therapeutic exercise—it became a love letter to the clichés that had carried me through.
Reclaiming the Power of Stories
What struck me most was how clichés connected me to the bigger picture. In my diary, I began to rewrite them in my own words, mapping out how “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” played out in my own life. Losing a job didn’t just force me to upskill; it stripped away the layers of fear that had kept me from chasing my dreams.
Each cliché became a story—a nuanced, personal narrative I could see myself in.
Turning Clichés Into Action
Writing is one thing, but living out those lessons is another. As I reflected on the phrases that had shaped my thoughts, I found myself more open to taking risks.
“Leap of faith” became my mantra when I pitched Diary of Clichés to a publisher. “New beginnings” gave me courage to share my words with the world. And “be the change you wish to see” inspired me to lead by example in ways big and small.
This isn’t to say that clichés are perfect. They’re not the whole story, just a part of it. But they’re a starting point, a spark that can light the way forward.
Why Writing Helps Make Sense of It All
Here’s the thing: writing doesn’t just reflect your thoughts—it organizes them. When I wrote about the clichés that annoyed me, I began to see why they mattered. They became tools for self-discovery, helping me make sense of my feelings and even find humor in the hard stuff.
It’s why I believe so strongly in journaling as a path to healing. There’s something magical about pouring your thoughts onto the page, unfiltered and unafraid. It’s not about being poetic or profound; it’s about being honest.
In the end, clichés taught me that it’s okay to lean on the familiar, to laugh at the obvious, and to find beauty in the ordinary.
An Invitation to Reflect
If you’ve ever found yourself rolling your eyes at clichés, I get it. But what if you gave them a second chance? What if you wrote them down, turned them over in your mind, and found your own story within their well-worn lines?
That’s what Diary of Clichés is all about. It’s an invitation to rediscover the magic of words that seem too simple to matter. Because sometimes, the simplest things hold the deepest truths.
So, grab a pen, a notebook, and an open mind. Write down the clichés you hear most often and ask yourself: what do they really mean to you? You might just find that they’re not so ordinary after all.
Your Turn
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s a cliché that’s resonated with you lately? How has it shaped your story? Share in the comments, or better yet, write it down in your own diary.
After all, clichés might just be the most underrated storytellers of all time.
Kay’s Odyssey 
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