10 Easy Life-Changing Journaling Tips For Beginners
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Have you tried to start journaling before? Perhaps, if you are new to it, it can take some time to become a regular habit. Initially, it can make you feel stuck, but here are a few easy and transformative tips to help you as a beginner.
Journaling is also one of the best tools to improve your mental health. Use these ten easy tips to begin your journey today!
10 Tips You Can Use As A Beginner
Today the world is loud and messy. Many things are competing for your attention and voices that tell you what you should think and who you should be. In this process, you can lose touch with who you are and what you want from life.
Everyone wants to experience joy, but you can feel lost. It is where journaling can help you. Here is how it can help you:
- It gives you a clear perspective and noise from your mind.
- It helps identify your feelings, patterns, habits, and dreams that have existed deep within you.
- It creates a sense of self awareness, turns leads to new ideas, opportunities, and ways of being.
Write As If You Are Talking To Someone Else
You can struggle with journaling because it can feel like you are talking to yourself. Hence, write like you’re talking to someone else. You can write to:
- Your future or younger self
- Someone whose no longer with you
- Someone who has hurt your feelings
- Someone you admire
- Someone who needs your help
You can also think about what advice you would give someone in a similar position who asked for advice. You would have a lot to say, right?
Use Journal Prompts
Journal prompts are statements or questions that will inspire you to write. These prompts can be a good starting point if you are beginning journaling. Prompts depend on a specific purpose. Once you start to journal, you will discover the prompts that work for you.
Journal What You Like
Journaling should not make you feel like completing a writing assignment in school. You can use the following ways:
- Use a list of prompts
- Try a guided journal
- Experiment with a new journaling method
But remember, you do not have to force yourself to follow through. Let your thoughts flow freely or address a specific question or statement. You will discover more personal insights if you feel relaxed while writing.
Do Not Set Any Rules For Journaling
Write about what you want and however, you want to write. You can use try any of the following things to journal:
- A bullet journal
- An old notebook
- Beautiful pens
- Notetaking apps
Some people are a fan of pen and paper, but you can also try journaling online using Notion. Try what works for you, and set no rules for it.
Try Using Quotes While Journaling
Make it a practice of using quotes as part of journaling. Whenever you feel stuck or uninspired, pick the quote or quotes that speak to you. You can use some questions to narrow down the quote you like:
- How does the quote make you feel?
- How does the quote apply to your life?
- What does this quote inspire you to do?
Delve In With Zero Expectations
Freewriting is one of the forms of journaling. You write everything on your mind without stopping, editing, or correcting grammar until you feel you are out of thought. Do not keep any expectations. You might find yourself writing about things you didn’t expect.
Hence, embrace the unexpected. You may feel pressure to journal the “right way” when you begin your journey. But do not let this pressure get to you. It is your space to explore. Just continue writing!
Be Honest While Journaling
Ensure you are honest when you journal to get the full benefits of journaling. Open up and be vulnerable because your journal is one of your private spaces. The more honest you are about it, the closer you will be to the truth.
Make Journaling A Habit
Stick to journaling if you want it to work for you. It can seem hard initially, but once you get used to a format, you can find what feels the best for you. The more you write, the more it will become easy.
You can try habit stacking until it does not become a habit. The idea is to piggyback a new habit on an already-established one. So, try integrating journaling with an existing habit of yours until then. Make sure you show up every day. That’s the only thing that matters.
Enjoy Journaling
Journaling is a way to discover more about yourself and your creativity. It helps you enjoy your company and is the time you take to know yourself. Hence, be free. Write what you think and enjoy this process and the time you get for yourself.
Keep Your Journal In Your Reach
One of the best tips for anyone who begins journaling is to keep it close to yourself throughout the day. When you have a thought or feel emotions strongly, jot them down. It will help you get familiar with writing and make sure you turn to your journal to delve deep and understand things that happen in your life.