HOW TO START A JOURNALING HABIT
A simple guide to getting the most from a journal and making it part of your daily routine..
Maybe you’ve been feeling a little down lately and you’re not sure why?
You’ve been trying to take some time for yourself, but it seems like every time you try to relax, your mind starts racing and you can’t seem to focus on anything.
You could have been thinking about starting journaling as a way to help you figure out what’s been going on with you lately, but you’re not sure how to start.
Or maybe you’ve been writing a journal for a while, but you feel like you could be doing it better.
Here are some tips to help you start a journaling habit and stick to it.
What is journaling and why should you do it
Making writing a journal a habit is a great way to get to know yourself better.
When you journal, you’re essentially giving yourself a space to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
This can be helpful in many ways – it can help you understand yourself better, it can be a way to work through tough emotions.
It can even be a way to figure out what you want in life.
There are many different types of journals available. To get the maximum benefit from journaling so it’s important to choose one that’s right for you.
If you’re looking for a journal to help you work through emotional issues, then you may want to choose a guided journal that offers prompts and helps
Choose the right journal for you
When it comes to journaling, it’s important to choose the right journal for you.
If you’re looking for a journal to help you work through emotional issues for example, then you may want to choose a guided journal that offers prompts.
Choosing the right type of journal can help make the journaling process more enjoyable, and helps keep you motivated.
How to start journaling habit
One of the biggest challenges of starting a journaling habit is finding the time and place to do it.
It’s important to find a time and place where you feel comfortable writing in your journal, and where you won’t be interrupted.
If you’re not sure where to start, try setting aside a specific time each day to journal.
This could be in the morning, before bed, or even during lunch break. If you’re not a morning person, don’t try to force yourself to start journaling at the crack of dawn – find a time that works best for you.
Start Journaling with the basics
When you’re starting out, it can be helpful to keep your journaling simple.
Try writing about your day, your thoughts and feelings, or what you’re grateful for.
Choose a format that works for you. Some people like to write long paragraphs, while others prefer to bullet point their thoughts.
Find a format that feels comfortable and natural for you.
Set a daily goal. Instead of trying to journal for an extensive amount of time, try setting a goal of writing for just 5-10 minutes each day.
This can help you stay consistent with daily journaling, even if you’re busy.
Start small and build up gradually. If starting daily journaling feels like an insurmountable task, start out by writing just 2-3 sentences each day.
Do this for a few weeks and then build up or change your journaling routine, this will help make daily journaling easier and more manageable.
learn to love journaling
Be mindful of your emotions while you write.
Since writing a daily journal is meant to be cathartic, don’t stress about spelling or grammar mistakes while you write (unless it really bothers you).
Try to relax your body and mind as much as possible when you write so that the process becomes less stressful and more enjoyable.
Journal the things that are important to you .
Some people choose to include daily affirmations or daily gratitudes in their journaling practice.
Others may chose to focus on recording the events of each day as they happen. Find what works best for you and incorporate it into your daily sessions.
Remember to let go of perfectionism and make it an enjoyable experience!
Set some goals for your journaling habit
When you start a journal, it’s a good idea to set some goals for yourself.
This can help keep you on course and motivated and it makes sure that you’re getting the most out of your journaling habit.
Try setting these goals that worked for me;
What to write in your journal – ideas and prompts
When it comes to what to write in your journal, the sky’s the limit. However, if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas:
- In the evening write about your day. Like what happened, how you felt, what you were grateful for.
- Write a letter to yourself
- Write down your thoughts and feelings about something that’s been bothering you
- Write down achievable goals for the future
Tips for staying motivated to journal every day
Once you’ve gotten started with journaling, the next challenge is to keep it up on a daily basis.
This can be tough, but there are a few things you can do to help stay motivated.
How to make journaling a part of your daily routine
Make it as routine as brushing your teeth or eating breakfast.
Keep your journal somewhere visible, keeping your journal in a place where you’ll see it every day can be a reminder to write in it.
Join a journaling group or challenge – being part of a group can help keep you accountable, and can offer support and encouragement.
Set goals for yourself
Setting goals can help keep you motivated and productive. Reward yourself for reaching your goals.
Once you’ve reached a goal, reward yourself with something that you enjoy, like reading a book, going for a walk, or watching your favorite movie.
Journaling can be a great way to get in touch with your thoughts and feelings, and can be a useful tool for exploring your innermost desires and goals.
By actually setting some attainable goals for yourself and choosing the right journal, you can make the journaling process more enjoyable and productive.