You can invest in beautiful designer journals and pens to make yourself feel special and set the perfect mood. I once used the grocery receipt for our Thanksgiving dinner to journal about it after the fact. I have glued in ticket stubs from events and journaled around them. We stretch, and sometimes we return to the original shape – but not always. I once used a rubber band that I taped into my journal to talk about how people are like rubber bands. Stickers, receipts, ticket stubs, leaves, cutout pictures, and hair ties all make fun prompts and add dimension to your journal. Using colored pens and markers helps to get the creative juices flowing. Be prepared to color, tape, or glue objects into your journal – some of my best journal posts are the messiest. You can make squares, circles, arrows, faces, and other symbols to express yourself more fully. There is something very creative and engaging about the physical act of writing on paper. You can even try journaling on your phone with an app like Penzu. Paper and pen engages your brain differently than typing, which is why I strongly suggest it. HOW to Journalįirst, ask yourself if you’d rather use paper and pen, typing, or verbal recording. If appropriate, put on music, light a candle, and have a cup of tea. Letting your ideas and feelings flow is tough if you’re physically uncomfortable. Choose a conducive environment like a favorite chair or park. Get a drink of water, get up and stretch, use the restroom. Research suggests that after 50 minutes, it may be helpful to take a break. Set your timer for 15 to 50 minutes depending on your available time and the topic. Length of Time: How long you journal is up to you. Resist the urge to attach to any specific outcome, and under no circumstances should you turn your journaling into a self-flogging opportunity. It’s great to strive for consistency and self-discipline, but be patient and kind with yourself, too.
I personally go through seasons when I journal routinely for months, and then I don’t journal for weeks.Īre you starting to see that this is something special that you do for yourself? That’s why you’ve got to do it your way.Īs you’re developing the habit of journaling, remember that starting any new habit takes time. But nighttime might be perfect for you.įrequency: How often you should journal is up to you, too, whether daily, weekly, or whenever you feel the urge. Personally, I can’t journal at night because it gets my creative juices going and no amount of counting sheep will help me sleep after that. Don’t be afraid to experiment with this because it might take a while to find the perfect time. Time of Day: Start by picking a likely time of day that you can routinely write in your journal uninterrupted: lunch break, evening after the littles are in bed, or morning time before the rush begins. Here are my personal, favorite tips for a more successful journaling experience. Let your inner guidance show you what you need. Journaling is very simple, and there aren’t any hard and fast rules. Newbie Questions: If you’re new to journaling, you might not know where to start, what to write about, or even how long you should write. It can be a wonderful path to emotional, physical, and psychological healing. Think of this kind of e xpressive writing as a way to practice self-care and self-love. You don’t have to do or be anything special to benefit from keeping a journal, and you don’t have to be famous to record your life and adventures. James Pennebaker, author of Writing to Heal, tells us that he’s actually seen patients improve their immune systems with journaling. Some of the documented benefits are improved language and reasoning skills, increased awareness, and improved consciousness. Much like a food diary that helps increase awareness of what you’re eating, a journal can help you be more aware of what you’re thinking and feeling.Īnd that can have a profound impact on your mental and physical health. It’s got to be a personal journey that doesn’t depend on what anyone else has to say about it. Keeping a journal has many benefits, but the key is to find the methods and benefits that best suit you. It can be cathartic, enlightening, relaxing, or healing, depending on what you need.
It’s a form of self-care and quiet, reflective time. Some people say that journaling is an adult version of “Dear Diary,” but it’s so much more than chronicling your day. Journaling is the art and practice of writing to yourself.