Life can be overwhelmingly busy, and carving out time for ourselves can often feel like a luxury. With these brilliant tips on how to start journaling, you’ll discover why readers adore this corner of the internet. With just a dash of resourcefulness, we’ll guide you in integrating one of the most beneficial habits into your daily routine.
Life can feel like a whirlwind sometimes, right?
Between work, family, social commitments, and maybe even squeezing in some “me time,” finding a moment to pause and reflect can seem like a luxury.
But don’t stress, here you will learn 11 life-changing tips on how to make time for journaling tailored specifically for busy people like you.
This blog post is all about how to start journaling.
One of the biggest misconceptions about journaling is that it requires a hefty time commitment. Well, we’re all about baby steps here.
Start by setting aside just a few minutes each day to jot down your thoughts, feelings and experiences. All you have to do is write a single sentence about your day or write down a quick gratitude list.
Every little bit counts, especially if you are looking to create a habit.
To stay motivated and on track, you can use Habit trackers. These handy tools can help you monitor your journaling practice and remind you to stick with it. By visually tracking your progress, you’ll not only stay on top of your routine but also feel a sense of accomplishment as you see your consistency grow.
Staying organized is key to maintaining any busy habit, especially if you are a busy person.
Innovative Habit Tracking Ideas
Instead of traditional checkboxes, use drawings, symbols, or colours to represent your habits. Here are a few examples of creative habit-tracking methods:
- Draw a small plant and colour in a leaf each day you complete your habit.
- Create a mosaic pattern where each tile represents a day.
- Draw a mandala and divide it into sections for each day of the month. Fill in a section each day you complete your habit, creating a beautiful, colorful pattern.
- Assign specific stickers or icons to each habit and place them on your calendar or habit tracker page whenever you complete a task.
- Create a puzzle with a piece for each day of the month. Each time you complete a habit, add a piece to the puzzle and watch the picture come together.
- Create a storyline or comic strip where each day you complete a habit, you add to the story or illustration.
You can also use some of the premade trackers and save yourself some time and planning:
2. Choose the Right Time: Timing is Everything
We all have our peak productivity hours, whether it’s in the morning before the chaos ensues or in the quiet of the evening.
Try to incorporate journaling into the time of the day that would suit your needs the most.
Maybe you’d prefer more time in the morning to wake up slowly or wind down before bed for better quality sleep. Morning journaling can help you set intentions, plan your day, and start on a positive note. Evening journaling, on the other hand, is perfect for reflection, processing events, and unwinding before bed.
Choose something that feels natural to you and stick to it. Habits take time to develop, so consistency will be key to establishing a writing routine that works for you.
For a more detailed description of setting a journaling routine, that works for you read Top 7 Journaling Basics: Your Roadmap to a Successful Journaling Routine.
3. Keep It Simple: Ain't Nobody Got Time for Complicated
When it comes to journaling, simplicity is key. Don’t overthink it!
Your journal doesn’t have to be a masterpiece of literary genius. Keep your entries short, sweet, and to the point. Think bullet points, lists, or even doodles if that’s more your style. The goal is to get your thoughts out of your head and onto the page.
And remember, you are not performing for anyone. The journal is your place to be authentic.
Here are some tips on how to write genuinely:
- Write freely, with no judgement. Let your thoughts flow!
- Be honest about your feelings, thoughts and experiences.
- Write for your eyes only!
- Embrace imperfection, it is a natural process in keeping a journal.
how to start journaling
4. Use Prompts: Let Your Creativity Flow
Looking at a blank page, on a time crunch can be intimidating, I get it. That’s where journaling prompts come in handy! They’re like little sparks of inspiration to ignite your creativity.
They offer a provided topic, that can make you dive into your experiences, jumpstart jour journaling sessions and start you on the personal growth road.
Here are the best journal prompts, written by biopsychologists, that readers absolutely love:
- 13 Thought-Provoking Journaling Ideas for Adults to Help You Gain Transformative Wisdom
- 21+ Liberating Journaling Prompts for Personal Growth: Break Through Limiting Beliefs
- 17 Tranquil Mindfulness Journal Prompts pdf for a Stress-Free Day
- 12 Unique and Creative Daily Journaling Questions for Self-Care
- 21 Game-Changing Stress Relief Journal Prompts to Elevate Your Day
- 40 Introspective Journaling Prompts for Therapy to Find Clarity and Healing
- 31 Transformative Journaling Prompts for Self-Discovery: A Month’s Challenge
- 21 Vital Prompts for Journaling Through Breakup to Find Closure
- 80+ Powerful Journaling Prompts for Depression to Reclaim Your Life
- 31 Therapeutic Daily Journaling Prompts for Mental Health: Heal and Thrive
5. Go Digital: Embrace the Tech-Savvy Side
In recent years, digital journaling has become increasingly popular. There are some amazing apps out there, that offer a convenient way to journal on your phone, tablet or computer, anytime and anywhere.
Some amazing ones are:
These apps often come with features like reminders, templates, and the ability to add photos and voice notes, making the journaling process even more engaging.
6. Set Reminders: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
When life gets busy it’s easy to forget about promises. Set up reminders on your phone or computer can help you stay on track with your new habit.
You can set calendar events, create a time block, set an alarm clock or use a journaling app with a built-in feature for notifications. Remember, it is not about writing for an hour. Five minutes of self-reflection can make all of the difference in the long run.
The reminders will act as little nudges so that your habit can grow and effortlessly grow into your daily routine.
7. Incorporate Journaling into Other Activities: Multitask Like a Pro
When life gets busy, staying on top is all about multitasking. Journaling doesn’t have to be a standalone activity. Find ways to sneak it into other parts of your day.
Here are some ideas on how to multitask like a pro:
- Write on the commute to work
- While waiting in line or an appointment
- During lunch breaks
- Create a voice note when walking
- When meeting with a friend reserve 5 minutes for group writing
- Write in bed, when you are still sleepy
- Take a relaxing bath and reflect on the day
- You can journal on the toilet 🙂
8. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Short and Sweet Wins the Race
You don’t need to write lengthy entries to make your journaling meaningful. Focus on capturing the essence of your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, a few well-chosen words can be more powerful than pages of writing.
Just stay true to yourself and jot down whatever is on your mind. Some days that will be just a word and others, you will write three pages and still not feel like you expressed all that is happening in your heart. It is natural.
That way writing in your notebook becomes less daunting and saves you time. Remember, you are not trying to impress anyone, this is about expressing yourself truthfully and authentically.
9. Use Different Formats: Mix It Up, Spice It Up
At the core of journaling is self-expression, so don’t be afraid to get creative! Add some artistic pizzazz to your journal, and have fun with it.
Experiment with different formats and styles of writing.
Whether you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned free writing, mindmaps, bullet journaling or art journaling, find what resonates with you and follow it.
How to add artistic pizzazz?
- Draw some sketches and doodles. (Want to learn how to doodle?)
- Make collages from old photos and newspapers.
- Hand letter or calligraphy a title.
- Use stickers and washi tape.
- Add colour with watercolours.
- Use dry flowers, leaves and feathers.
- Insert dear items like tickets, bills, part of clothing…
- …
To get creative you are going to need:
The key to an effective journaling routine is being prepared and having all the essential supplies ready when you need them.
Here are two blog posts that dive into this topic in depth. You will find detailed descriptions of various journaling supplies, from the best journal notebooks, markers, pens, colored pencils, stickers, stamps, to complete journaling supply kits.
These posts will make picking out your perfect supplies easy and effortless:
Budget-Friendly Journaling Supplies List You Can’t Live Without
10. Reflect on Your Entries: Look Back to Move Forward
When building a habit, it’s essential to reflect on what works and what doesn’t. This process helps you identify and eliminate any obstacles that might be clashing with your routine and hindering your productivity.
When reflecting on your journaling routine, consider these questions:
- What Time of Day Works Best? Have you noticed a particular time when journaling feels most natural and least disruptive to your schedule? Is it early in the morning, during a lunch break, or right before bed?
- How Does Journaling Make You Feel? After a journaling session, do you feel more relaxed, focused, or energized?
- What Topics Engage You the Most? Are there specific themes or prompts that spark your interest and creativity?
- Are There Any Patterns in Your Entries? Do you notice recurring thoughts, concerns, or ideas in your journal?
- How Consistent Are You? Look at your habit tracker or journal entries to see how often you’ve been able to stick to your journaling routine. Are there any common reasons for missed sessions, and how can you address them?
- What Environmental Factors Affect Your Journaling? Consider your surroundings when you journal. Do you write more effectively in a quiet room, outdoors, or in a cozy café?
- What Tools and Supplies Inspire You? Reflect on whether specific journals, pens, or digital tools make the process more enjoyable.
11. Read Some Journaling Examples
Sometimes, seeing examples of journal entries can spark your creativity and give you a better idea of how to structure your own. Here are a few examples:
Daily Reflection: “Today felt like a summer storm brewing on the horizon. It was tense, gey, electrifying and I couldn’t get a footing in my day. I was lost, my mind slow and unresponsive. Everything felt heavy and the day just didn’t flow. I need a bath and a glass of wine.”
Single sentence Reflection: “I felt stormy today and my friend’s words are engraved in my mind: ‘You need to find peace in yourself even amidst a stormy day.’”
Gratitude List:
- So that I could cry in peace in the bathroom before I met my friend.
- For a loving relationship, I have with my sister. She truly kept my spirits up.
- For my jacket, because no matter what, It gives me confidence.
Emotional Check-in: “Ah, I don’t know. I don’t have the words to put today in perspective. Beautiful, sunny, soft, and warm, it made my body relax and breathe deeply. ”
Goal Setting: “Short-term goal: Finish reading my current book by the end of the week. Long-term goal: Get all of my family to agree to go on a vacation together and organise it.”
Exploring different journaling styles can help you find what resonates with you. For more in-depth inspiration, browse through these journaling examples:
Miss Consistency: Why She Scares Me and How I’m Learning to Embrace Her
Asking for Big Things: A Journey Beyond Aesthetic Vision Boards
