Beginning something new can often feel daunting. Don’t let the fear stop you! This is the ultimate guide on how to start journaling for beginners, ensuring a stress-free entry into this enriching practice.
Journaling is undeniably a powerful and beneficial habit.
It helps in navigating daily stressors, discovering pockets of gratitude and joy and serves as a pathway to profound personal growth, goal attainment, and deeper self-understanding.
By the time you finish reading this blog post, you’ll possess all the fundamentals of journal writing like a seasoned pro. You’ll be equipped to embark on your journaling journey with confidence, clarity, a newfound sense of purpose and all the essential journaling supplies.
This blog post is all about how to start journaling for beginners.
Let’s begin with the basics: What exactly is journaling? In its essence, journaling is quite straightforward.
It’s the act of putting pen to paper and allowing your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to flow freely onto the page.
Journaling can take many forms, including free-form writing, structured prompts, bullet points, drawings, or a combination of these methods.
But it’s the consistent practice of documenting your innermost thoughts, ideas, and emotions that leads to enhanced self-expression, self-discovery, and reflection. By regularly engaging in journaling, you open the door to gaining valuable insights into your life, feelings, and behaviours.
Furthermore, journaling can be profoundly therapeutic as it offers a safe outlet for expressing frustrations and processing difficult emotions.
how to start journaling for beginners
Now, let’s delve into How to journal. As you’ve likely gathered, it’s a rather straightforward process—all you need is a pen, some paper, and yourself. From there, simply begin writing.
But some tips and tricks can enhance your journaling journey, making it more enjoyable and helping you reach your desired goals more efficiently. If you’re eager to discover these insights, then keep reading.
2. How do I Start a Journal Entry
Starting a journal entry can be as simple as writing the date at the top of the page and letting your thoughts flow freely.
Still, here are some tips on how to transform journaling into a self-care practice rather than a chore, enriching both your soul and mental well-being immensely.
Tips and Tricks for Writing
- Create a calm journaling environment:
- Select a place free from distractions and interruptions: your room, a train ride to work, your favourite park bench or a spot in the forest. Light a candle, get a coffee or play some music. Take a few deep breaths to centre yourself and connect with your inner thoughts and feelings.
- Select the right journaling supplies:
- You don’t need much—just a journal and a pen. However, the right supplies can make it fun! Stickers and coloured pencils, glitter, pictures and doodles can bring vibrancy into your pages, making your journal more personalized. If you scroll down, you can find a list of the best journaling supplies available on Amazon.
- Follow your creativity:
- There are countless styles of writing to explore. From personal narratives to creative and productivity logs, your journal can truly become a reflection of yourself. That’s the beauty of it—there are no strict rules.
- Know the why:
- The most important aspect is understanding your why. Why do you want to journal in the first place? To assist you in setting your goals and discovering your journaling style, explore this guide to setting goals and journal pages:
Once you have clarity in your purpose of journaling, you can choose a writing style that aligns with your goals and determine how you’ll structure your journal entries accordingly.
There are generally three categories of journaling:
- Personal Journals
- Creative Journals
- Productivity and Self-Improvement Journals
I suggest reading an in-depth explanation of what a specific journal entails to select the one that suits you the most. This post Journal Writing Format Explained: How to Write a Journal will give you a clearer understanding of each category and help you make an informed decision based on your preferences and goals.
Journal Writing Format Explained: How to Write a Journal
3. What Should a Beginner Journal Write?
How do you start journaling when you don’t know what to write?
When starting your journaling journey, it’s common to feel overwhelmed by the blank page staring back at you. But don’t be afraid, there are countless strategies, that can help you with your writer’s block.
What to Write in Your Journal:
- Write about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences from your day.
- Reflect on your emotions, challenges, and triumphs.
- Write a list of the things you are grateful for today.
- Jot down your goals, dreams, and aspirations.
- Start with a simple observation of your surroundings or a description of your current mood. From there, let your thoughts flow freely without judgment or self-censorship.
- Engage in stream-of-consciousness writing. Write whatever comes to mind without pausing to analyze or edit your thoughts.
- Utilize journaling prompts. This is a fantastic method that provides a safe and structured way to select a topic to focus on in your writing.
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4. How do I Start My Day Journaling?
Journaling is a habit, that needs consistency to grow. The essential thing you need to journal every day is a routine, that will make it easier for you to incorporate journaling into your day-to-day life.
Here are some tips for how to make journaling a part of your day.
How to Make Journaling a Habit That Sticks:
- Start Small:
- Begin by committing to just a few minutes of journaling each day. Setting realistic goals will set you up for success and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
- Establish a Routine:
- Incorporate journaling into your daily schedule in a way, that suits your lifestyle.
- Set Reminders:
- Use alarms or calendar notifications to prompt you to journal at your designated time each day.
- Make it Enjoyable:
- Experiment with different journaling styles, prompts, formats, or supplies to keep your writing enjoyable.
- Embrace Imperfection:
- Embrace the process of journaling as a journey rather than a destination a perfect-looking journal.
- Track Your Progress:
- Keep a journaling log or calendar to track your daily entries.
- Celebrate:
- Don’t forget to celebrate your little and big wins!
For a deeper understanding and a step-by-step guide to establishing a journaling routine, read the blog post: Top 7 Journaling Basics: Your Roadmap to a Successful Journaling Routine.
how to start journaling for beginners
5. Journaling Essentials
Lastly, let’s discuss all the essential journaling supplies you’ll need for your journey. I’ve compiled a guide to the most crucial journaling supplies, all of which are highly recommended and readily available on Amazon.
Journal Notebook
Remember to consider factors like paper quality, size and biding style when choosing the best journal notebook for your needs. Each of these options has its own unique features, so explore and find the one that speaks to you.
Moleskine Classic Hardcover Dotted Journal
Timeless design, durable construction, and subtle dot grid pages for layouts and designs.
Paperage Dotted Notebook
Affordable option with high-quality paper, sturdy construction, and dotted pages for versatile journaling.
Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Dotted Notebook
High-quality paper, sturdy build, and dotted pages for creative journaling.
Midori 15003006 MD Notebook
A minimalist notebook with creamy, slightly toothy paper, for sketching, doodling or writing.
Journal Pens
Finding the best journal pens can be a personal choice based on your preferences for ink flow, tip size, and overall writing experience. However, here are some popular options that many journal enthusiasts swear by.
Sakura Pigma Micron Pens
Archival-quality ink, precise lines, perfect for detailed work.
Journal Markers
Ultimately, the best markers for your journal will depend on your personal style, preferences, and the type of paper you use. Here are some top choices you should consider.
Tombow Dual Brush Pens
Vibrant colors, flexible brush tip, and a fine tip for detailing.
Zebra Mildliner Highlighters
Soft pastel colors, dual-ended design, perfect for color coding.Versatile with brush and fine tips, blendable water-based ink.
Crayola Super Tips Markers
Budget-friendly, wide color range, versatile conical tip design.
Journal Stencils
Finding creative journal stencils can add a whole new dimension to your journaling experience. Here are some highly-rated options to consider.
DIY Journaling Stencil Set
Ideal for beginners and pros, featuring diverse shapes and borders.
Journal Stickers
One of the journaling essentials is for sure stickers! There’s a wide variety to choose from to suit every style and preference. Here are some top picks that are highly rated and beloved by journal enthusiasts.
Vintage Scrapbook Stickers
Made from washi papers, the kid includes tweezers to help peel the stickers.
Journal Supply Kit
If you simply can’t be bothered to choose all the journaling essentials one by one, then getting a journal supply kit is a hassle-free experience.
Dotted Journal Set
Opting for a pre-made journal supply kit can be a convenient and time-saving choice.
Now you are prepared to master your journaling!
