5 key tips for first-time journaling
So you want to start journaling? Or you at least have an interest, which is why you are here. First of all, you’re about to experience something that has the capacity to shape your self-care habits in the most incredible way, and it all begins with the words that you put down onto a page.
Journaling, or at least the kind of journaling that I am referring to, is simply the practice of writing what you are thinking. That’s it. There is no correct way to do this and there isn’t a structure that you are required to follow to be successful in this, you just have to learn to become comfortable with giving yourself the time and space to actually explore your thoughts.
The dictionary definition for a journal is this:
“A written record of what you have done each day, sometimes including your private thoughts and feelings”
-Source, Cambridge Dictionary
Here I will share 5 key tips if you are new to the practice of journaling, to help you get started:
1) Don’t overcomplicate the process
As mentioned in my intro, I take a very simple approach to this in sharing that anyone can journal as long as you have somewhere to record your thoughts. This can be hard to believe based on a simple social media search, as you’ll be flooded with images of elaborate journals showcasing everything from bullet journaling to gratitude and art journals. There are entire communities dedicated to this process, and yes it is inspiring to see just how creative your journaling can become, but it is important not to lose the simple goal of your journaling practice in all of this.
As long as you are willing to understand yourself better, you can start journaling.
As long as you have the capacity to write, you can start journaling.
Even if you don’t have an artistic bone in your body, you can start journaling.
2) Create a routine
As with any new habits, the key to achieving consistency is routine. Whether you set your alarm at a particular time in the morning, before you head to bed, or even during the day if you can grab some quiet time, being intentional about this will help you to make journaling a solid part of your life.
3) Choose a specific place to write
If you prefer to note things down on your phone, then you may find that this is a convenient place to record your thoughts, but if possible I would encourage you to invest in a physical journal where you can write down your thoughts.
Even the act of writing how you feel and seeing the words on the page can be a form of therapy - both calming and instilling a sense of personal accomplishment.
Choosing a journal or notebook that is just for journaling your thoughts will help you to get into the right mindset each time you return to write as your brain will make the association. Also, having a special place to write makes the process feel more rewarding each time you journal, rather than simply using a spare piece of paper. The goal is to have something that you can easily refer back to in future, as a point of reference and encouragement for your life.
4) Let your thoughts lead your writing
Because journaling feels like second-nature to me now, it can be easy to underestimate what this looks like to someone who has never put their thoughts and feelings into written words before. The best way to journal is not to force your thinking, but to do the exact opposite. To just sit and let your mind wander, and write whatever comes to mind. No matter how random your thoughts may seem, learning to do this is the beginning stages of learning how to listen to yourself. Before long, you will find your flow and it will be much easier to just pick up a pen and write from the heart.
Don’t be discouraged if your first journaling experience feels empty. As with any new habit, it takes practice to grow in understanding and appreciation for the journaling process. Also, if you have never stopped to truly acknowledge and embrace your voice, then it can be unreasonable to just expect it to come from one session.
5) Ask yourself questions
Even if one thought pops into your head, such as ‘It’s nice to see the sun shining today…’ start with that. Then when you have that, start asking yourself some questions, such as:
How does it make me feel to see the sun shining?
Why does it make me feel this way?
What else also makes me feel this way?
And those are just a few examples!
You can ask yourself absolutely anything, but before long journaling will start to feel like a conversation with yourself, and you can simply write what comes to mind.
Journaling prompts, from questions to sentence starters, are great ways to shape your journaling and give it more of a personal structure. This could be anything from 3 things I am grateful for today, to 3 things that I would like to do better tomorrow.
More than anything, I hope you will discover just how beneficial journaling can be to your life when you make it an intentional habit and a foundational part of your self-care journey.
Join one of our upcoming live group journaling sessions online to get this journey started for yourself!