Discover 6 Easy Steps to Building a Journaling Habit to Find Your Inner Peace
2 min readMay 31, 2023
- Journal with your best mode of thinking. Is it through writing, speaking, photography, drawing, or sketching? Choose a tool that best aligns with your thoughts — a notebook, a journal app, a camera, an audio recorder for speaking, a sketchbook, or any combination.
- Drop the inner perfectionistic critic. There is no right or wrong way to journal. Even if you don’t like to write, you can speak, doodle, draw, sing, paint, photograph — any expression that reflects your insights and learning.
- Be consistent in small chunks. Set a timer for 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes, then start writing until the time is up. Let your mind wander freely and write or draw about anything that comes to mind.
- Set boundaries with your format. One way to journal is to write in a similar format: 1 sentence, 1 drawing, 1 doodle, or 1 photograph. Commit to writing with the same structure and timing for a while and see what patterns emerge.
- Pause and reflect often. Spend several minutes every few days or once a week to review and reflect on what you wrote or drew. Highlight or document any new insights, then repeat the journaling process that works for you.
- Find a journaling partner and community. You don’t have to journal alone — find a journaling partner who can help you be accountable for your mindful practice. You can also be part of a community that can encourage your daily journaling habit.
