Updated September 27, 2020
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Writing in a journal, or journaling, offers many benefits including increasing gratitude, helping to process your thoughts and emotions, and leading you to be more mindful. It can reduce stress and bring peace to your life. I mentioned journaling in a previous post on Choosing JOY and you can refer to that post here.
Today, I want to introduce you to Wrae Sanders who has provided the following Guest Post, A Beginner’s Guide to Journaling. She will gently lead you through the process.
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A Beginner’s Guide to Journaling by Wrae Sanders
Journaling can seem to be a daunting task at first. You have to take time out of your already busy day, get out a notebook and then write down your feelings? Yikes.
That can be a bit hard to get used to, and then some worry about their journals being found and read by those they don’t want to get into their inner thoughts (kids, spouse, etc).
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The First Step in Journaling
The first step of beginning a journal? Taking it slowly, and finding your own way to be creative with your thoughts. The notebook you use doesn’t have to be fancy. I’ve used regular ones that were leftovers from buying school supplies for my kids. You’re not looking to win an award for the best-looking notebook.
It doesn’t take very long to write in a journal, usually less than 10 minutes, depending on what kind of journaling you choose.
Some choose to do a one-sentence journal, which is as easy as it sounds. Just write down the date and one sentence about your day. I do this as part of my bullet journal. It’s been neat to look back at some of the older entries. My short-term memory is not great, so this can be helpful in remembering things that happened recently.
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Using Writing Prompts to Journal
Another option is to use writing prompts, which can be easily found online or by using Pinterest. This takes away the anxiety of not knowing what to write about. Some days this can be difficult so the prompts can help out a bit.
Prompts can also assist in deeper thought. This can help a lot with self-awareness, mental health issues, and other things you may want to work through.
If you want to try one or both ideas then free write, your journal can become a great place to write about your feelings. It’s all about how you want to express yourself.
Another way to make journaling fun and exciting is to decorate it. There are stickers, pens, ribbons, and many other accessories to do so. Many accessories can be found online and/or in stores.
I love using pens to draw in my bullet journal. I’m not great at freehand drawing, but I try my hardest. The main idea is to make it pretty in a way that works for you. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece.
There isn’t a “best time” to write in your journal. Some like to do this first thing in the morning or right before bed, but this depends on your schedule and other factors.
Journaling can help detect patterns in thought and/or behavior. Do you feel sad or angry around the same time every day, week, or month? Do you hang on to the feeling or process and let it go?
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Bullet Journaling
Bullet journaling is something discussed earlier in the article. This can seem a bit intimidating but once broken down, isn’t much more than an elaborate journal. You can use it to track sleep, moods, exercise, how much water you drink, among other habits. There are hundreds of ideas on Pinterest and other sites.
Journaling is something that you can have as your own- everyone needs that. Start small, take your time and you will see the joys of self-expression.
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Thank you, Wrae, for your informative post, A Beginner’s Guide to Journaling.
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I’ve spent years journaling and have many notebooks full of thoughts, dreams, and goals.
What are your favorite ways to journal? What do you write about?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Other posts you will enjoy:
How Do I Discover My Joy
The Amazing Benefits of Gratitude
Kindness is Free
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24 thoughts on “A Beginner’s Guide to Journaling”
Great post! I’ve been journaling for years, but I always like to read other’s perspectives.
xo
Beth
http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
Great article….I fell off the wagon a bit with my bullet journal but I’m going to start it up again!
These are great tips on journaling. I appreciate the ideas about bullet jounaling. You have given me some ideas about getting my thoughts organized. Thank you for sharing.
Great post! I’ve always wanted to start journaling but it seems so overwhelming to me. . . Maybe i finally start now.
Journalling is something I really want to start doing but always seems strange… like what am I going to actually write about. I love the idea of writing prompts. Thanks!
These are great tips! I struggle A LOT with trying to journal. I have spent all of my adult life caring for my children and putting all of my wants, needs, and feelings on the back burner, so even trying to answer journal prompts is extremely difficult for me. I know journaling would help me with self discovery, but I haven’t gotten the strength to get into it yet.
Enjoyed reading this post, I have tried the bullet journal before and it is helpful.
My favorite way to journal is using an online journal I know one might be worried about security and privacy but I feel like its secured enough. I like using it so I can access it where ever I go with internet and that practically everywhere in the USA which is perfect for me.
I love journaling, this offered some great tips, I love that you mention different colour pens, I love changing up the colours to highlight different points! Great read
this is definitely a fabulous resource for beginners getting started in Journaling.
I love the step by step instructions.
thanks for sharing this awesome post. Wonderful read.
Great article, Louise. I recently posted an article on my blog about journaling, but it is more focused on journaling tools. I included a link to your article for my readers who might want more information about getting started. Thanks !!
Thank you, Mike, for the link. I’ll check out your blog now.
I used to write in a journal all the time, and it feels good to get your thoughts and feelings down on paper. I don’t write in it as much as I used to, but it’s definitely something I need to make more time for.
Journaling is beneficial in so many ways. I look at our blog almost as journaling, it’s just not very private! 🤪 Every now and then I’ll open do a voice to text with a Google doc when I just need to get something out.
Our 12-year-old recently started keeping a journal. It’s so cool to watch him get his thoughts and emotions out in his journal!
I love to see kids started writing in a journal.
I’ve found that journaling has some tremendous benefits and absolutely love it! I’ve never been one that could consistently stick with it, so finding one with prompts has been immensly helpful for me! With prompts, I never miss a day!
There are some great sites with prompts available.
Great breakdown with easy steps.
I loved how you expressed that journalling doesn’t have a huge thing, it doesn’t have to be fancy, just writing a simple sentence or doing bullet points of how you’re feeling. Thanks for sharing
Yes! I’m glad that resonated with you!
I love journaling it makes me feel so much better
Me too!
Great tips. There are so many benefits to journaling regularly. I love that she mentioned how it helps you identify repeating thought patterns. I completely agree! It can also help you uncover your passions and purpose in the same way.
Yes! It definitely will help you to discover your passion and purpose. Thanks for the insight!