For those of us who constantly have thoughts on our minds and need an outlet to release them, starting a journal can be a great way to destress and rebalance ourselves. Journaling has a wide variety of other benefits as well, such as achieving a better understanding of oneself and identifying negative thoughts in order to let them go. Here are a few tips if you want to start a journal of your own!
Have a set time and space to write
Especially when you first start out with journaling, it can be difficult to remember to write regularly. A great way to stay consistent is to set a specific time and place to write. Good places to write can be at a desk, by a window, and anywhere you feel comfortable. Setting a particular place and time will help you fall into a habit of writing.
Brainstorm, meditate, or just write
It can be difficult sometimes to know exactly what you want to write about. You can spend some time brainstorming the topics you want to cover before you start writing, or you can meditate for a few minutes to recenter yourself and reflect on what you want to talk about the most. If all else fails, you can try jumping straight in and putting anything and everything that comes to mind on paper. Remember, it’s your journal! Anything goes.
Time yourself
Set an amount of time that you would like to spend during every writing session and time yourself. This can be anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour, whatever you’re comfortable with. Timing yourself can help reduce distractions and stop you from getting carried away while writing. For those of us with busy schedules, it can also be a good way to manage your time.
Decorate your journal!
The journal is yours, so make it your own! You can put stickers or tape on the cover, or you can decorate the inside and make a bullet journal. Use your creativity to turn your journal into something amazing. Of course, while decorating a journal can help make it feel more personal, it’s completely optional.
