HOW TO START JOURNALING THIS YEAR

Hold on. Do not run away. Yes. I am well aware that you don’t need yet ANOTHER thing to do.

And I’m also clear that you don’t actually NEED to start journaling.

I’m just going to share my story with you, give you a few tips to get started and you can do whatever you want with that information.

No judgment. Deal? Sweet!!!

I was always the girl who took pride in caring for everyone around me. I actually would joke that my purpose in life was to support the dreams of others. Looking back on that, I’m pretty sure I was just scared to fail. It’s so much easier to shop with someone else’s money, right? Then cancer came along and my fear of failure was trumped by fear of regret. I didn’t want to leave this Earth without truly living and I was 100% sure I had been playing it safe and scared for way too long.

I started writing on social media to express myself and share my journey but I didn’t call it journaling. I was just documenting my feelings. Rigghhhhttt!!!! Isn’t it good to be oblivious? There was absolutely no pressure. I wasn’t comparing myself to how anyone else was journaling and I always felt lighter when I was finished. Notice how I didn’t say positive, happy or better. I started to realize the days when I didn’t write, I had a harder time focusing which led to a LOT of procrastination.

So, I got an actual book, started “journaling” and never looked back. Thanks to the time I spend with my thoughts every day, I have so much more clarity. What exactly does that mean? It means I know what I want to do, why I want to do it and how I’m going to start moving towards it. It also includes knowing what I DON’T want to do. I wake up thankful for a new day to make progress and I pay more attention to how situations and people make me feel throughout the day. It’s like I’m on high alert now. Maybe this is what living feels like.

So, if you’re looking for some clarity yourself, here are some tips to help you begin your journaling journey.

Keeping it super simple cause I know you got some journaling to get to!

1. Use whatever feels comfortable – I use pen and a physical journal but I started typing on my computer. Other people really like to use their phone because it’s always with them. Don’t overthink it. Getting the thoughts out of your head is more important than making it pretty.
2. Pick a clean and quiet location – quiet is a no-brainer but I emphasize clean because clutter is just annoying and distracting which is everything we are trying to avoid. If hearing a pin drop is an impossible state to get to in your home, then get outside. I actually journal in the car after I drop the kids off from school.
3. Use music to set the tone – if you’re a regular, you know that all of my lists usually include playing music. Besides creating a whole vibe, music can help you focus and dig deeper than you thought possible.
4. Use prompts and guides – sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. Use whatever inspires you. Journaling prompts are simple questions that help kickstart your writing experience.
5. Forget about meeting quotas – there are no amount of pages that you need to write in order to call yourself a journaler. It doesn’t matter if you write 3 sentences or 3 pages. What matters is that you are building the habit of expressing your thoughts and desires.
6. Do NOT censor yourself – you want to do your best to capture your raw thoughts and emotions. I can sometimes start journaling in a good mood and realize there is something I’m angry about. I want you to journal like no one is watching (or reading)!
7. Try letter format – finding your voice can feel a bit awkward in the beginning so try talking TO someone. It could be your journal (who else used to start “Dear Diary”?), yourself or Jesus (I write to Him a LOT). Writing as if you’re speaking to someone can make it feel natural and hopefully, help you enjoy the experience that much more.
8. Pick a naturally still time of day – you want to build a consistent habit of journaling so picking a time that supports calm will make it easier to continue. For example, after making a cup of coffee, taking a hot shower or putting the kids to bed. Look for transitions in your day where you naturally have a moment of peace.
9. Enjoy the journey – the thing I love most about journaling is that it’s not for anyone else but me. There’s no need to perform or worry about anyone else’s reactions. It’s such a freeing experience and is one of the best ways to start owning the space you take up in the world.

Well, that’s all for today. If you are still a little unsure of how to start journaling on your own, try my FREE 5-day guided journaling course to get you started. For you journaling experts, let me know in the comments what medium you’re using and if you have any tips for the rest of us.

Namas-sharpen-your-pencil!