8 Tips on How to Get Started Writing in a Journal 

Getting started with journaling can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know what to write. But with so many benefits, it’s easy to understand why so many people want to make it a habit. Writing down your personal thoughts and feelings isn’t something we are generally used to doing on a regular basis. However below are a few tips that may help you to start your journalling journey.

Tip no. 1

Dust Off Your Pen and Paper – You don’t need anything special to keep a journal; in fact, purists believe that using pen and paper is the best way to journal because you can carry it with you anywhere and you don’t need technology. There are numerous types and styles of journals and ways to do actually journal that may or may not be more effective depending on your goals, but you can simply get some paper (or your computer) and get started today.

If you prefer to start a journal, I have a few favorites that I would like to share with you in this blog post, "4 of the best journals for 2020". The journal I am currently using is the 100 Days of Happiness Journal which I simply just love. This planner is beautiful and designed to help you not only plan and manage your schedules and to-do lists, but also live a truly happy and fulfilled life by creating a life in alignment with who you are and embracing the power of positive thinking, mindfulness, gratitude, and self-development. You can read more here on the Happiness Planner Website*.

Tip no.2
Do It First Thing in the Morning – Don’t procrastinate about keeping your journal. It’s best to do it in the morning before you begin your day so that you have the right frame of mind for the day. The morning is when your mind is most quiet and free from external influences. Do not pick up your phone to check social media. Instead, keep a journalling book and a pen next to your bed. When you wake up, just reach for it and start writing.

Tip No. 3
Do It Last Thing at Night – Another time to do it is before bed. This works especially well for gratitude journals. That way you can go to sleep thinking about all the things you are grateful for instead of things you’re worried about.

Tip no. 4
Try a stream of consciousness journalling. Write about everything and nothing. It's a non-judgmental flow of your thoughts. Just like transcribing your thoughts as your think them, without editing, scratching out, worrying about spelling etc.  What you write does not have to make sense. Take a look at this video here of stream of consciousness journalling.

Tip no.5 
Keep  it Private – The main thing to remember about your journal is that it should be kept private. The only exception is if you want to share thoughts with a therapist, counselor, or coach.

Tip no. 6
Use journalling prompts. Can’t get past the blank page? This has to be  one of the best journaling tips for beginners.  A journal prompt is just a question or topic that helps get your mind flowing. Since journalling from scratch is difficult for some people, prompts give you a starting point.  

Tip no. 7

Talk to your inner child. It’s quite easy to think of this idea as a load of poppycock!! The inner child  refers to an unconscious part of your mind. Here is where you find the source of emotional, relational and behavioral difficulties that plague you in your adulthood.

The inner child is the part in your psyche that still retains its innocence, creativity, awe, and wonder toward life. Quite literally, your inner child is the child that lives within you – within your psyche. It is important that we stay connected with this sensitive part of ourselves. When we are connected to our inner child, we feel excited, invigorated, and inspired by life. When we are disconnected, we feel lethargic, bored, unhappy, and empty.
To have a conversation with your inner child, ask your subconscious mind questions in the second person. This concept might seem strange, but remember, our conscious/awake part of the mind is just the tip of the iceberg.

Try this guided meditation to help you connect with your inner child.

Tip No. 8
Be Grateful. Every time you journal, list all the things you’re grateful for in that moment. Doing this at the beginning of your journalling time frames the way in which your approach your problems. You’ll note a shift in your outlook on life. Positivity will become the norm, and not the exception.

Finding hard to be thankful every day? Read this article on 12 Practical Ways to express gratitude. If you find it tricky to remembering what you be grateful there are plenty of apps with reminders online you can download also. 

By keeping a journal - hopefully you will be wiser, enlightened, kinder and and all-around better version of yourself. Do not be surprised when others notice the change before you.

Hopefully, these 8 journalling tips for beginners are just the motivation you needed to get started. Don’t procrastinate any longer. Get a journal and start writing!

* Note:  Please note that Happines Planner Link above is an affiliate link, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link.

Til next time

Julie