Benefits of Daily Journaling

How to Start a Journal

First, purchase any type of notebook of any size. I prefer one with lines but that is a personal preference. Putting the date at the top can help when you want to reflect back on what you have previously written to see the progress you have made in your life journey. When you first start, try to write for a few minutes at a time. The more you journal, the easier it will be to write and the longer you will be able to  write each time.Like meditation, the more consistent you are, the easier it will be. Before you sit down to journal, find a quiet place and take a few deep breaths to clear your mind. See how your thoughts flow to you.

What do I write about?

There is no wrong or right way to journal. This comes from you. No one will read it or be looking for mistakes. It is basically permission to brain dump.

Getting into the routine of daily journaling can seem overwhelming at first. You might ask yourself “What do I write about?” or “How long do I write for?” or “What if I get stuck?”.

I am here to tell you that when I first started journaling I had all of these questions. Sometimes it feels hard to write about your thoughts and feelings that are spinning around in your head but that is exactly the point of journaling. Try to let go and let it flow. When I am feeling  my most anxious, I pull out my journal and  start writing whatever comes to me. Give it a try and see what happens!

Using Prompts to Journal

Some people prefer using prompts to get their journaling exercise started. Here are a few that I use:

What are the messages I need to know right now?

What is holding me back from doing the things I need to do?

What feelings am I having right now that are making me feel frustrated, angry, happy, anxious?  and Why?

What am I thankful for today?

Getting your thoughts and feelings on paper clears your mind of the overthinking and processing that we all do. The more that you make journaling a routine the more aware you will become and the more you will to look forward to doing it each time.