So you want to start journaling? A three step starter guide (no washi tape required)
Journaling is the new mindfulness, with benefits ranging from getting more done, being more organised and increasing creativity through to reducing stress. Pinterest and Instagram will fill your screen with beautiful, inspirational (but completely overwhelming) examples of journals but fear not, you don’t need an art degree and reams of washi tape to start your journaling journey.
You may have read my post about using the Best Self Journal (BSJ). This is one structured journal for a specific purpose of reaching certain goals however I also journal in a more flexible way as well.
Here’s my simple three step starter guide to journaling with all the benefits and none of the fuss.
Step 1 — Buy a notebook
My book of choice (by far) is the Leuchtturm 1917 with dotted paper. Not only does dotted paper remind me of year 5 maths classes but it is wonderfully flexible without the tyranny of lines or anarchy of plain pages.
Step 2 — Decide why you want to journal
Track a habit — I’ve seen great examples of people tracking water intake, exercise goals, alcohol consumption and habits using their journal
Reflect & record — I like to think of my journal as a little time capsule, showing what I’m thinking about, learning and doing at a point in time. I’ve only been journaling for about 18 months but already it’s interesting looking back at my old journals to see events I’d forgotten about and spot recurring themes.
Practice gratitude — start and end the day thinking about what you’re grateful for, this is a game-changer for mindset. Journaling is absolutely part of my self-care routine and gratitude helps balance my ‘to do list’ brain.
Create — from morning pages to building your ideas muscle to a daily doodle, use your journal to engage a different part of the brain and take the benefits into your work and play.
All of the above — the beauty of a blank journal is the opportunity to make it what you want and let it evolve with you over time.
Step 3 — Set aside a little bit of time each day
First thing in the morning, last thing at night or on your commute* are ideal times to journal and a great excuse to put your phone away for a mini daily digital detox. I find even just 5–10 minutes with my journal whilst sat in bed is enough to get that decompression feeling.
Want to build the journaling habit? Read my post about building my writing habit and apply these tips to your journaling.
*unless you drive, journaling whilst driving might outweigh the benefits somewhat
Do you already have a journaling habit or is this on your 2018 list? What tips or questions do you have?
Further reading
Bullet journaling — enter the vortex at your peril
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