What is journaling?
Journaling is a way to record your thoughts and feelings as you move through everyday life. Journaling is beautiful because it is personal and there is no right or wrong way to do it.
Keeping a journal can be beneficial for understanding yourself. It’s also a great way to reflect on your moods, thoughts, and goals. And, like therapy, it can provide a space in your life to have some tough conversations and grow.
10 Tips to start journaling & make it a habit:
It can be daunting to start a journal, but it’s just like any other habit it takes time to get into the routine. If you’re looking to start journaling, here are some tips to help you get started and keep up the habit.
1-Decide on Your Journal Format :
When you are deciding how to journal daily, an important thing to think about is what format your journal will be in. Of course, the more traditional approach to writing is on paper. It is up to you to choose whether or not you want to use a diary, a special notebook, a laptop, or something else entirely.
2-Commit :
If you want to develop a habit, you need to be clear about what you’re trying to do and when you plan on doing it. Consider when would be the best time for you to write, how long you want to write for, and how often you think you can write. How long will it take? every day or once a week.
It will be easier to make the habit stick if you are clear about it.
3-Pick a time:
If you want to journal effectively, you need to set aside a significant amount of time depending on your writing pace and how much you have to say.
f you want to make writing a habit, you need to set aside some time in your schedule.
Related:13 Ways To Boost Your Time Management Skills
4-Keep a journal with you at all times:
Having your journal with you at all times is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a journaling habit. This allows you to write even when you are not in your usual location or it is not your usual time.
As an example, if you’re going by train or plane, take your paper diary. If you’re using a digital one, make sure you can use it when you’re not connected to the internet.
5-Pick a template.
The blank page can be daunting, but it can also be a chance to consider your life and where you want to go. If you find something that helps you reflect on the day, you can use that to guide your actions. What sort of prompts will encourage you to reflect? It is important to have prompts that will allow you to start writing very soon after reading them.
If you’re finding it difficult to decide what to include in your journal, journaling prompts can be a helpful solution. Whether it’s a list of questions to answer in order to gain a better understanding of yourself or a list of things to illustrate, prompts can make getting started with your journaling easier.
Example of Journaling Prompts :
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6-journal about anything that comes to mind:
The possibilities for what you want to write about are endless. You can write about your workday, your thoughts, and emotions, or something that inspired you. In addition, you can use it as an outlet to express and release powerful emotions such as anger, frustration, or sadness. Writing down your feelings can help get them out of your head.
7-Create a path of least resistance :
It is important to make sure your journal and pen are always close by. Keep them in your handbag when you’re out and put them in a place where you will see them when you get home. If you want to make grabbing your journal a more likely habit, it’s helpful to remove any barriers that might stand in the way.
8-Find a time that works for you:
It may not be possible for everyone to journal every morning, especially for those who are not morning people. See what works for you try different times of day for your productivity session. For example ( you might try journaling at night before bed, or during your lunch break).
9-Get creative:
When journaling, don’t be afraid to express yourself creatively. You might try poetry, art, or any other form of writing that allows you to be yourself.
Related:10 Habits of Highly Creative People
Related:How to Build Your Creative Resilience ?
10- Let go of judgments :
Keep in mind that there is no wrong or right way to journal. It is important to practice self-compassion and to silence your inner critic when writing. Journaling is a judgment-free zone.
Do not worry about grammar or spelling. You are writing for your own benefit, not for an audience.
