New Year, new healthy habits. We know the drill.
But as much as you want break out your watercolors and fancy pens when you see one of those elaborate bullet journals on Pinterest, you might be lacking in two vital areas: time and energy (trust us — we know you hustle).
But journaling doesn’t have to be an all-consuming project . You can actually get your ideas down on paper in just a few minutes each day, and achieve that new-habit glow we’re all craving this January. Here are our best hacks to get you started.
If You Lack Motivation…
Use the Best Utensils
There’s nothing better than the oh-so-satisfying sensation of writing with an A+ pen. You know the ones — when the ink is dark and really flows out. If you’re trying to make journaling a daily venture, don’t skimp on quality. Buy a nice pen, a bright set of colored pencils and anything else you need to get going.
Set a Timer
Can’t think of anything to write about? Here’s a trick: set a timer (it doesn’t have to last long at all — 10 minutes will do), sit down and write. Move your pen across the paper and don’t get caught up in your technique or your word choice — this is for you, after all, not an audience. Keep writing until your time is up, and do it again the next day, and the next, and the next. Soon journaling will feel like brushing your teeth. Only more creative.Make a List and Go Minimalist
Flip to a blank page in your journal, then number each line for every day in the week or month ahead of you. You’ve just created an easy bullet journal spread, ready for your ideas. Tackle just one line every day with a brief sentence about something that inspires you or a brief summary of your day. By the end of the month, you’ll have completed an entire page — and built the motivation to do it again next month!If You’re Tired After a Long Day…
Commit to One Word
Think journaling requires you to write page after page about your life? Think again — committing to just one word each day is enough to get started. Simply distill the day down to one word, perhaps an emotion, color or the first name of a loved one. This is a super low-maintenance technique and can get you in the habit of journaling daily, even if you just have 10 seconds available. And I bet you do.
Good advice.
Sounds good
great advice thank you. Would love to have more journalling classes on here please?
I appreciate this opportunity ty
Sounds doable
Some people struggle writing what they are thinking because they tend to be very private about their thoughts. They are reluctant to be honest and write "it" for anyone to see. They may find it easier to describe what they see out the window or sitting on a patio instead of their feelings or personal observations. Descriptions are a little impersonal. From there, it's natural to begin branching out as time passes until they can write, "I was delighted when my daughter Grace dropped in. She brought some wonderful scones to share." From there it's easier to say what is truly on their minds. It's a process which needs time to play out, like "getting to know" the journal before telling it everything.
I did a great deal of journaling at the beginning of the pandemic. I wanted to remember every detail. Even now, it is important for me to write things down when they happen
As for the art of journaling? Gotta use a fountain pen. The book can be anything empty. You write what you think about, because it’s only for you…it doesn’t have to be a novel or a paper…just what is on your mind and how it affects your emotions. I started at 60 and have filled 15 volumes which I will hand off to my son when it’s my time. I would have loved to read what my parents were thinking 😀
Thank you for suggesting these easy do able steps to maintain a journal. I used to write in one and I need to get back to it. Had started a gratitude journal a while back. I am planning to get back to this the first thing.
<strong>I carry a pocket journal to capture thoughts throughout the work day when I normally would not be allowed to have a full sized journal. There are times I will write in a full sized one too. In fact, I have MANY journals. I even have different "topic" journals. An example of two of these topic journals are; Family Stories where I dedicate pages to each important relative I can remember and are long since gone, and the other is a journal of sorts where I documented with a hand made map of each home I have lived in and looking back through old photos (and even google maps) found picture of relevance to these homes. A photo of our living room at Christmas or our garden, the kitchen while we gathered around my mom cooking. All of these are equally as important as an ordinary diary like journal when stitching together the story of you! @AllThingsEpistolary