So, you want to get into journaling?
A hobby, a practice that requires a notebook, vulnerability, strength, and endurance to keep going.
Let’s Get Into It
The art of journaling
It’s a practice for me.
I buy glued-bound notebooks with cheesy covers or hard finishes. Writing in those keeps me motivated.
Journaling is a brain dump that’s between you and God, if we get literal.
It’s a practice where you can let it all out and not fear judgment if someone is reading or watching.
So, no. Don’t be careful about what you put. Write it down. Tell that story.
How do I journal
There’s no set schedule.
I start a new journal, and it could take months to finish, maybe two quarters.
The beauty of journaling for me stems from needing an outlet.
My mind was cluttered.
I was starting a new chapter, new jobs, and needed somewhere to decompress. Put it down on paper.
Create my own paper trail.
I began around April 2023, and each year has a set of journals that are different stages of my journey in my 20s.
There is my story. The narrative and point of view that I felt during those times.
If you read one of my journals from 2023 compared to today, you will see growth, improvement, and more self-love.
Someone with a sense of direction.
That’s the beauty of the process.
What do you talk about
Everything.
It doesn’t matter if I am having a good or bad day; I am pulling out the journal.
I got so attached to the journal one day that I said to myself, “Hey, it’s okay to not pull out your journal at the party. Please, socialize.”
The journal became my safe space, so when I am at that party, I don’t have to force myself to talk to people. The journal is my people.
That made me stop for a bit.
I was becoming too connected to my journal in an unhealthy way. It’s okay to enjoy partying, despite my love for writing and keeping track of my thoughts.
My journal isn’t just random affirmations and prompts. I store ideas, concepts, test theories, and reflect.
It’s a space for me to develop myself without the noise of others.
How do I approach journaling
It starts with believing that good things happen when you put that pen to that paper. Change is coming. A new chapter is opening, and you are the author.
Don’t be afraid to be honest and real with yourself.
You need to be honest with yourself, and the journal can be that starting point.
A pretty notebook that represents your style is a good start. Think of the binding: do you want it to open like a paper book or a sheet of paper attached to a spiral?
Are you more into multimedia note pages?
Think of the design first. You want your notebook to be cute. Something fly that you enjoy actually writing in.
I started with simple glue-bound notebooks. Ones that feature circle shapes with smiling expressions or scenes of Italy.
Finding a journal is the easy part.
Knowing the type of pen you like is the second part.
Putting that pen to the paper is the ultimate goal.
That’s how you get started.
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Well, what should I write about
I provide monthly journal prompts if you need some guidance.
Each month, I give you about five prompts to discuss goals, missions, thoughts, and how to achieve them.
If that’s too broad, start with your day.
Daily journaling
Write down how your day started and how it ended. Get in the habit of tracking your routine to help organize and manage your time.
The little things are what make journaling impactful.
Don’t overthink it
I never knew people were shocked about the concept of journaling.
Your mind feels calmer and quieter when you rid yourself of what’s clouding it.
Try it; you can start on a regular piece of paper before you get down to the nitty-gritty.
Let’s Talk About It
Are you ready to journal?