How to Start Journaling Today

I want to share with you how to start journaling as it’s really helped me on a daily basis. I’m not a writer, but I do enjoy journaling. Is that a thing?

Given the fast-paced nature of life, it’s so important to be able to sit down and brainstorm your thoughts and plan out your day.

Journaling helps me feel organized, in control, and hopeful about the now and the future. It’s also what inspired me to start this blog!

Most importantly, I love how I do whatever I want when it comes to journaling. There’s no right or wrong way to do it!

If you struggle with organizing, writing, or reflecting (or all 3) consistently, I’d highly recommend you try journaling.

But first, before you jump in, I wanted to use this post to show you how you can start journaling for the best results.

Reasons why you should start journaling

People start journaling for various different reasons. Most people just want to get their thoughts out of their heads and on paper.

It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to remember everything, and journaling can be great for your mental health because it allows you to release all your thoughts and get them on paper.

Other people journal to remember certain experiences and parts of their day so they can look back on them in the future.

This means you can basically use your journal like a diary.

I like using journaling to reflect and plan and this allows me to focus on things like gratitude, generosity, and hitting my business and personal goals.

It’s proven that journaling for at least 15-20 minutes per day can improve your mental health and well-being by reducing stress.

How to start journaling

Narrow down a time

Ready to start journaling?

The first thing you need to do is get it on your schedule. This shouldn’t be difficult seeing as how you don’t need to spend a lot of time journaling each day.

If you can set aside 10 to 15 minutes per day, that’s a great start.

Or, you can even decide which days of the week you want to journal if you don’t feel you’ll do it each day. It’s totally up to you!

For example, if Wednesdays and Sundays are slower days for you throughout the week, commit to journaling on those days.

If you find you have more time in the morning or want to use journaling to get off to a good start for the day, choose to write when you first wake up.

Some people even set a goal to journal before they get out of bed. Or, maybe you realize you need a pick-me-up and prefer to journal around lunchtime.

You can even set a reminder on your phone or an alarm to remind you to stop what you’re doing and journal.

Whatever you decide, make sure you commit to it and show up for yourself.

You won’t be able to reap the benefits of journaling if you don’t simplify the task and narrow down a time to do it.

Choose a journal

Your journal should make you feel motivated and inspired to write in it regularly.

There are many different types of journals, so it’s important to take the time to find which one is best for you.

Take pride in your decision because you’ll be using your journal all the time. One of my favorite options is a leather sketchbook.

Use the right journaling tools

Besides your journal, your tools are going to be what inspire you to write even when you don’t feel like it. So make sure you use the right ones.

Are you a pen, pencil or marker person?

Do you like to decorate your journal with stickers?

Pick a Topic

Once you’ve selected your journal, you’re ready to start writing. You can write freehand about whatever comes to mind, or you can choose a topic for the day.

I like to go in with a topic because I feel it makes my journaling more intentional and focused but to each her own.

You also don’t have to focus on a super deep or reflective topic when journaling. It’s all about how you feel and what you want to write out for the day.

Some common journaling topics and ideas you can get started with include:

• Goal for the day
• Progress on goals
• What you’re grateful for
• Weekly wins
• Your recent decision
• Upcoming plans
• Daily diary
• Future plans
• Habits you’re trying to develop
• Recent experiences you don’t want to forget
• Your favorite things
• Pet peeves
• Reflect on current events
• Favorite quotes or songs

I am a really visual person, so I journal a variety of ways. I like to change things up depending on my mood.

Sometimes I like to color-code my pages depending on my mood (I typically love bright colors). Other times I’ll use colored pencils when writing a motivational quote.

Be in the right environment

You don’t need to be in the middle of the woods to journal but you do need to be in a space free of distractions.

Also, you need to make sure that there is no technology around to tempt you away from journaling.

A few other suggestions would be to:

• Choose a quiet place in your home, away from pets, family, and/or friends.
• Get up early or stay up a little later so you can be distraction-free.
• Keep electronics in a separate room
• If you can’t move the electronics, make sure they’re turned off.

You don’t have to do this for hours, but give yourself at least 15 to 20 minutes of uninterrupted time every day to journal.

Make it a special time for you

Don’t be afraid to seize the moment when you journal.

Brew a hot cup of coffee or an herbal tea if you’re journaling at night. Light a candle. Put on some calming bird sounds or open a window.

Every time you do this, and treat it like a ritual, the more you will enjoy it.

You will get excited to brew that special drink and get some fresh air while you write.

You’ll want to journal because you know that means smelling a deliciously scented candle.

Whatever you need to do to get into the right mindset, you can do it!

Other ways to use your journal

You can also use your journal to jot down ideas and plan things out. You may find it helpful to journal your:

• To-do lists
• Planner
• Meeting notes
• School notes
• Bible study notes
• Exercise or nutrition log
• Travel itinerary
• Drawing, sketches, or doodles
• Idea book for blogging

Some people even like using journaling prompts each day, but you can also take a more freehand approach so you choose your topic as you go.

Choosing your topic before journaling for the day is something I recommend especially for beginners because you’ll be able to jump right in and not waste your time waiting on an idea to come to you.

We all have busy schedules, and you can totally journal efficiently by narrowing down your topic at the start of the process.

Don’t be a perfectionist

We all may have a little perfectionist in us but when it comes to journaling, just brush those thoughts aside.

It’s important to write as your true authentic self to debunk all your thoughts.

Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or your artistic abilities.

Heck, you don’t even have to write in complete sentences if you don’t want to.

Journaling can be messy and an easy way to brain dump your thoughts. You can scribble down your thoughts, words or short phrases.

On the other hand, you can make your journal pretty, planned out and organized. It can be whatever you want.

If you turn journaling into a rigorous writing job, you won’t enjoy it as much.

Journaling should be a relaxing and almost therapeutic process. If you prioritize your perfectionism, it will be the exact opposite.

No one has to see your journal aside from you.

So long as what you write down is clear and organized in your eyes, that’s all that matters.

Mix it up with some fun journaling essentials

Journaling is basically your personal project. There is no right or wrong way when you’re thinking about how to start journaling.

One thing I like to do is mix it up with some fun journaling essentials. As a former interior architect, I did a lot of hand sketching and drawing during my career.

I’ve never lost my passion for testing out various pens, markers, and pencils.

Here are some of my favorite essentials that I keep in my home office:

• Prismacolor pencils
• Prisma markers
• Papermate pens
• Copic markers

You can even pick up some stickers or washi tape at your local office supply or art store. Make it fun and really customize your journal however you like!

If you’re looking for a new positive hobby to adopt this year, I’d definitely give journaling a try.

It’s easy, therapeutic, and can help improve your mental health and wellbeing. Plus, it’s fun and can help you stay on track with reaching your goals.

Have you ever thought about journaling? Why or why not?