Want to up your journaling game? There are no strict rules when it comes to keeping a daily journal. However, there are some ways you can use it more effectively.
If you want to use journaling to help with personal growth, below you’ll discover some of the best tips you can follow.
Make sure you have realistic expectations.
It’s easy to go into journaling with unrealistic expectations. For example, you might think that as soon as you start, you will feel instantly happier and more productive. You may also think that it is going to be easy.
The truth is that journaling isn’t always going to be easy to stick to. It also sometimes involves confronting tough emotions. Personal growth isn’t easy. It is uncomfortable, scary, and often challenging.
If you go into journaling with unrealistic expectations, you are going to be in for quite a shock! So, keep your expectations realistic and remember, it takes time to build up any new habit.
Write at the same time each day.
Whatever time you choose to write in your journal, try and stick to that time every day. When you do something at the same time, day in and day out, it is going to stick in the memory. It won’t be long before you are automatically reaching for your journal.
Of course, you might not be able to stick to the exact same time every day. However, the odd deviation from your schedule won’t hurt. If you stick to writing at around the same time every day, you’ll find it much easier to build journaling up as a habit.
Create a journaling ritual.
Another way to make journaling better, is to create a ritual that you look forward to. This is basically a little routine you use when journaling.
You should aim to journal in a comfortable and quiet space. Then, you can focus on things that enhance your journaling experience. For example, you might find you journal better with a mug of coffee or hot cocoa. Some people find they also journal better with a relaxing playlist in the background. For others, having a blanket they can curl up under can help them to journal better.
Experiment by adding different things into your journaling ritual to see what best works for you.
Don’t worry about what you are writing.
When you are faced with a blank page, it can be daunting knowing what to write. A lot of people get stuck knowing where to start, leading them to simply give up.
It isn’t important what you write in the beginning. You just need to write something to get you started. There are no right and wrong things to write about in a journal. It is personal to you and can be used however you like to improve yourself.
Nobody is going to read it, so you don’t need to worry about anything you put down on paper. You can also start out small, writing for just 5-10 minutes at a time. This will get you into the habit of writing and you will start to find it easier as time goes by.
Pick a journal that attracts you.
This one may sound obvious, but it’s a great tip people often forget to consider. You need to make sure you LOVE the journal you choose to write in. The more you like it, the more you will want to write in it every day. You will look forward to writing in your journal, rather than see it as a chore.
So, when choosing your journal, pay attention to its design. Does it have any features you love? Compare several different journals before deciding which one is right for you.
Set daily reminders.
In the beginning, you may struggle to remember to write in your journal. As you haven’t yet built up the habit, your mind can easily forget to add journaling to your daily routine.
Setting reminders can help to ensure you not only remember to write in your journal, but that you do it at the same time each day. You will eventually start to notice that you rely less and less upon your reminders as time goes on.
Consider using writing prompts.
Another great tip for better journaling is to utilize writing prompts. You will find a lot of writing prompts online that can help you to get started. It is often starting to write that people have trouble with when they keep a daily journal. Writing prompts give you inspiration on the type of things you can write down in your journal.
There are no set rules. for Journaling. Journaling is a process, and you will find what works for you along the way.
