The Beginners Guide to Journaling
There are so many benefits to journaling that people don’t even realize. Oftentimes it’s hard to get started with journaling or you may find yourself stumped on what to write about. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you the beginners guide to journaling. Being able to write your thoughts down is an effective way of reducing stress, calming anxiety and also as a way to gain confidence. The best part about journaling is that you can be yourself. There’s no judgment because it’s for your eyes only. As an added bonus, I’m going to include 10 journaling prompts at the bottom of this blog post to help you get inspired to start.
If you’re someone who’s looking to get started with journaling, here’s what you need to do:
Create a routine that works for you
Start by getting a new notebook and your favourite pen. Using items that you like will help to make the experience more enjoyable for you. There’s no set amount that you should be journaling and some days your entries will be longer than others. Consistency is way more important than the length of your entries. Implementing journaling as a part of your daily routine will help create a good habit for you and it will stick longer than if you were always trying to find time for it. Once you have created a routine that works for you, ensure that you look back on your entries to see how far you’ve come since you first started.
Use prompts
If you’re not sure what journaling prompts are, they are a few words or actions that you can elaborate on as a way to get started with journaling. Some journaling prompts may be goal setting, how you are feeling, how you were challenged today, how you can step out of your comfort zone, who do you trust most, what part of your day do you enjoy most. I know that often the hardest part of starting something new is simply starting and that’s why I’ve included 10 journaling prompts at the bottom of this blog post.
Set goals for yourself
Once you start journaling, it’s important to set goals for yourself so that you can maintain what you’re doing. Start by determining how much you will write in your journal and choose a time for it so that it becomes part of your routine. You can also challenge yourself by writing about more difficult topics. If you keep at it, it will eventually form into a habit.
I was once a beginner when it came to journaling but since I’ve made it apart of my daily routine, I can’t imagine going a day without it. I’ve seen first-hand the way that journaling has worked in my life and also in the lives of my clients.
Journaling Prompts
1. Talk about how your day was
2. What brings you joy?
3. What is your greatest fear?
4. Talk about a person who brings you joy
5. What do you love most about yourself?
6. What’s something that challenged you recently?
7. What are some habits you would like to include in your daily routine?
8. What’s your favorite way to start the day?
9. Share a lesson you learned this week
10. Share 3 words that describe your dream life
If you’re interested in learning about the role a life coach can have for you, reach out to me here.