I’ve spoken a lot about how journalling can be brilliant for mindset and wellbeing – it’s something which has radically changed my life! I’m always banging on about starting a journal but realised I’d never actually done a post purely on it. So, how do you start a journal? And, more importantly, WHY should you start a journal.
So often, when you think of journalling, you think of teen movies where you write your deepest darkest secrets of who you have a crush on. But journalling can be so much more than that – but equally as thrilling to look back on.
A journal isn’t just where you download your day to, it can also be a place where you explore ideas, work out who you are and what you want, and essentially grow yourself.
How do I start a journal
Staring at a blank page can be very intimidating and freak you out a bit. Trust me, I’ve been there, but you get through it.
Find a nice notebook, or any notebook, and set yourself a 10-minute timer. And then write. Whatever comes to your mind, let it flow out of you. I used the Papier notebooks and if you use this link, you get £10.00 off your first order (affiliate link).
Setting times when you journal to help you get into the practice is also a really good idea. I do my main journaling in the evenings before bed. I download my day and then use journal prompts to help me explore ideas (more on that below).
It can be daunting at first, writing about things to yourself. I imagine everyone has their own style. A key thing to remember is that no-one else has to read it. It’s your safe space to work out what you’re feeling and thinking. So try not to overthink it. Your style can evolve and change. You might decide to write in note form rather than long-form. Put on that page what you feel you need to write.
What do I write in my journal?
This was a big thing for me when I first started journalling. What the heck was I meant to put in it.
I started slow, mainly writing what had happened that day, worries and fears, and finished off with my gratitude list for the day.
However, I started to realise that you can get so much more out of a journal pretty quickly. And the way to do so is through journal prompts.
Journal prompts essentially give you a topic or question to ponder on and write about it. Things as simple as How do you feel today? and What are your goals? or What does my dream life look like?
Not only do journal prompts get you to dig deep about what you want and who you are, they’re also a great way to get started if you’re feeling pretty scared and not sure where to start.
The key thing is to be open and honest in your journal.
Places I go to for journal prompts are Pinterest, The Manifestation Collective and I actually bought the Vibe and Flow prompts which were a great investment too.
Why should I start a journal
I feel like everyone needs a journal. I’ve journaled on and off for years but normally at key times in my life.
Journalling is something which has helped me a lot through my chronic illness. When I’ve been in hospital, I used it as a place to write down what was happening so I had a record of it and I could splurge on the page how I was feeling.
And the rest of the time I use journalling to process my health and get clarity on where I want to go in life. It allows be to see where I want to go, in a safe place which is mine and mine alone.
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