You’ve heard me talk about journaling so many times and how important it is in my life and in my daily routine. I believe that journaling is therapeutic, it can boost your mood, reduce anxiety and foster self-improvement. I also believe it’s important to be able to look back on what you’ve gone through, both good and bad, to help you appreciate where you may be right now and to focus on where you are going and where you want to be.
Although I’ve been journaling since my 20s, it has evolved so much. I get a lot of emails and messages from people saying, “But I don’t know how to start” or “Where do I start?” Watch my weekly Coffee Chat video below for more details on starting a journal and the above-mentioned benefits of journaling!
Your Journal Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy
You don’t have to have a fancy journal. You can start with a blank notebook. You can start with a Word document. You can start with the notes app on your phone. It does not matter. Just start somewhere. You can also buy journals that already have the prompts for you and those are especially helpful if you’re really struggling with where to start. But do it, start it, and work it into your daily routine.
Keep Your Journal Accessible
Another important part of successful journaling is to make sure it’s accessible. Making your journal easy to access means you won’t forget about it. That’s why I like having mine on my laptop. I get on my laptop every single day. It’s right there. I can just pull it up and start to type. Even if it’s only three to five minutes, at least I’m doing something in there. If you want to keep it on your phone, that’s another easy way to have it with you. If you prefer writing to typing, keep your journal by your bedside so you can start a journaling ritual in the evening before you go to sleep or even when you wake up.
There’s No Right or Wrong Way
There’s truly no right or wrong way to do it. Just start doing it. Whatever comes to mind is what you write even if it’s just a few sentences. It really is that simple. Don’t overthink it. Remember, your journal doesn’t have to be a novel. This is for you only, so try not to put rules and restrictions on it. Who cares if you make grammar mistakes or spelling mistakes? You scribble, whatever. It doesn’t matter. Nobody’s gonna judge you. You can do a daily gratitude practice. You can do a prayer journal. You can just ask yourself the question, “What am I feeling right now?” Use that as a prompt to get you started. There’s no wrong way to do it.
It’s Never Too Late
This is a biggie, remember it is never too late to start a journal. There are so many benefits and things you don’t yet realize you’ll want to remember later on. So if you’re reading this and saying, “but I didn’t start journaling in my 20s” don’t worry about it. You can start right now and begin today. Don’t wait! Seriously, as soon as you’re done reading this go start your journal! I promise you won’t regret it.
What’s your favorite way to journal?
