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How to Journal – An Ultimate Guide to Journaling

How to Journal - An Ultimate Guide to Journaling

Depression and anxiety have been at their peak in the last few years. The cases further increased amid the pandemic. As a result, millions of individuals were left stranded at home, away from their families. Everyone struggled in isolation. But, it is not just the pandemic that leads people into depression. Stress in their professional and personal lives also pushes them towards depression. People often find it challenging to open up about their feelings with friends and family. During such times, journaling can prove to be an effective tool for communicating with yourself. The majority of us have begun writing journals at some point in our time. However, due to our busy schedules or laziness, we stop writing. This means the benefits of journaling are often missed. Read on to find more about journaling and its perks. 

Maintaining a journal is a practice. It is not a hobby to work on when you feel fabulous or have the leisure of time. Journaling is a practice to develop for fighting the feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. There are moments in life when we feel that things are not balanced. We think that our priorities are mixed up. These are the times when the real significance of journaling is understood. However, it is crucial to managing the journal through both ups as well as downs. Sometimes, we avoid journaling because we find it challenging to put our feelings into words. If that is the case, instead of finding words, it is better to start doodling. 

Top Benefits of Journaling

Benefits of journaling
Image by hudsoncrafted from Pixabay

Thinking of journaling brings a picture of a teenager writing about secrets in her diary. Well, that is true, but it is not the only purpose. Journaling has a plethora of benefits.

  1. Journaling helps in self-realization and self-expression. It helps uplift the mood and sort out complicated feelings. 
  2. Journals are beneficial in organizing perceptions and making them apprehensible. You can pen down everyday events, thoughts, and feelings in a diary. 
  3. Writing regularly in a journal can help in improving professional writing skills as well. Again, there might not be a perfect theme, but penning down random thoughts enhances vocabulary.
  4. Keeping a journal helps in setting and achieving goals as well as ambitions. In addition, it helps in monitoring regular progress. Moreover, it motivates you to concentrate on the next milestone. 
  5. Maintaining a daily diary will help in pouring out new ideas for professional as well as personal agendas. 
  6. The most significant benefit of putting feelings on paper is to relieve stress. Additionally, it helps in brain-dumping frustrations, which further helps in reducing anxiety. 
  7. Self-reflection is a big benefit of journaling. It allows you to stop and weigh the pros and cons of a fast-paced life. Self-reflection helps in appreciating the positive things in life and eliminating the negative ones.

3 Types of Journals to Keep

How to Journal - An Ultimate Guide to Journaling
Image by CharuTyagi from Pixabay

One of the most critical steps to consider before beginning a journal is to decide which type of journaling method is best for you. 

Mindful Journal

I look it! This is the most effective for me to unburden myself. Mindful journaling, also known as meditative literature, is the act of expressively exploring the things in your head and heart. It is the freedom to confront your feelings, traverse your curiosities, and handle your emotions head-on. Reflection is a huge part of growth, helping you to remain calm in stressful circumstances. A mindfulness journal is excellent for people serious about developing their overall mental well-being. The solution this technique gives is to report creatively. It helps in clearing unwanted emotions so that you can divert more attention to minute details of life.

Bullet Journal

The bullet journaling method is perfect for OCD writers. It helps in maintaining calendar events, to-do lists, and diary entries in one place. Bullet journaling supports turning the chaos in life into a streamlined system. It helps in achieving productivity and setting up professional as well as personal goals. It is perfect for writing down short notes instead of scribbling long sentences. This technique can be utilized for organizing finances and preserving memories. 

Gratitude Journal

Gratitude journaling is the practice of reporting and reflecting on situations that you are appreciative of regularly. In reality, it helps in rewiring your mind to focus on the positive aspects of life. This technique is perfect for building resilience against negativity in life. In addition, practicing appreciation may improve overall emotions of comfort and decrease depressive signs. The benefits of gratitude journaling can be felt instantly, as gratitude is an emotion that raises your vibrations in no time. It may increase over time.  

How to write a Journal?

Now you have read all the benefits and types of journaling. Here comes the most critical section – writing a journal. 

  • Start slow! you can either begin by writing short notes or doodling about your everyday routine. 
  • It often happens that maintaining a journal becomes quite dull. Hence, it would help if you timed yourself daily. You can begin by allocating 10 minutes to the activity and then, later on, increase the time. 
  • Seeing the blank page at the start can be scary. So instead, start writing about small things. Do not get overwhelmed by feeling pressured to share all the details of your day. 
  • You do not have to create a masterpiece. It’s your diary that you have to read. Hence, you can write anything and everything that comes to your mind. 
  • For beginners, it is always recommended to avoid digital screens. Writing on paper can keep you immersed in the activity. Moreover, it gives you a chance to be creative as well. 
  • Give yourself the confidence to experiment, fiddle around with your words, and create a mess. Stop worrying about the outcome; the entire purpose is to pour out your emotions in the journal.
  • Often, we do not attempt things because we think we know what will happen: we make presumptions about results. However, when you manage a diary, you realize that the exciting thing is not learning what will occur and finding a surprising conclusion.
How to journal?

Manifestations and Journaling

Act of Journaling is more profound than simply reflecting imperatively or striving towards a purpose. When you actively manifest impressions into your life, you tell yourself that your objectives already exist in their finished state. Nowadays, journaling in the manifestation method appears to have earned more popularity because people began recognizing its benefits. Specialists and novices alike can use manifestation to clear their thoughts of confusion and distress, keeping it centered on what lies undeviatingly ahead.

Wrapping Up on How to Journal?

Maintaining a journal encourages you to keep peacefulness when the world seems like it is falling apart. You get to apprehend yourself by exposing the most hidden anxieties, beliefs, and sentiments. See your writing experience as a personal recreational experience. It’s a period for de-stressing and winding down. So pick a relaxing and soothing place for your writing, maybe with a cup of brew. Always believe that you are doing something unique for your mind and soul.

How to start journaling?

Featured Image: Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

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37 Comments

  • Reply
    Hannah Hillman
    December 29, 2021 at 7:47 pm

    Really great article! Especially mentioning it doesn’t have to be perfect – swearing is common in my journal but it really helps! Glad it’s for my eyes only! 😀

  • Reply
    Maria Grove
    December 29, 2021 at 7:53 pm

    Great inspiration! I’ve been wanting to journal more. Thanks !

  • Reply
    Sarah Langner
    December 29, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      Pam
      December 31, 2021 at 6:05 am

      Great inspiration! I love journaling and I am going to keep journaling because that is how my sorrow disappears and my confidence increases. When I am journaling, I often referred to my younger self. Your post just give me more courage to always keep talking to my dear me and appreciate every moment of my life.
      Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    Maggie
    December 29, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    This post is really helpful! I love to use my gratitude journal in the evening and in the morning I use a blank notebook where I write down my thoughts.

  • Reply
    Malaika Archer
    December 29, 2021 at 8:47 pm

    I bought a journal a few days ago and after reading this article, I will force myself to get more consistent with using it.

  • Reply
    Marie
    December 29, 2021 at 10:48 pm

    Started journaling this year. It helps me so much. Thank you for the tips 🙂

  • Reply
    Katie
    December 29, 2021 at 11:33 pm

    Love love love!

  • Reply
    Christine
    January 10, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    i’ve always wanted to start journaling, thanks for these tips!

    • Reply
      Thannah's Art
      July 17, 2022 at 9:17 pm

      Great tips..

  • Reply
    Flawless World
    January 10, 2022 at 8:19 pm

    Journaling is incredible, and can give us such helpful insight into ourselves! It’s a very grounding exercise that everyone can benefit from. Thank you for sharing!

  • Reply
    Adventure Awaits Us At Home
    January 11, 2022 at 4:40 am

    Journaling is not something I have ever done. However over these past few weeks I have read many articles about doing so. I have been considering it and looking into options. I like that you suggest timing yourself when doing it because it could get boring. However, for me, I would need to set a timer so that I don’t spend all day on it. I can see that happening, which is part of the reason why I hesitate. thanks for sharing the different types of journaling.

  • Reply
    Cori Dickess
    January 11, 2022 at 4:54 am

    I love to journal! It helps me to get all the cobwebs out of my head..lol. I use it for my diary and a scriptural bible journal. I am not real messy with my journal. But I like that idea! I need to just let go and let my fingers to the talking..lol

  • Reply
    Reut shaviro
    January 13, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    Love this post 🙂

  • Reply
    Candice Williams
    January 15, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    Journalling is such a game-changer. I try to journal every day, and when I do that, I try to write something that I am grateful for each day. It is a great way to enhance your self-awareness. Great post.

  • Reply
    Shea Hulse
    February 28, 2022 at 6:37 pm

    I finally started regularly keeping a journal and I can say that I do enjoy it! But I can also say sometimes it’s difficult to do it with the kids constantly wanting to see what I’m doing too lol

    • Reply
      Jais
      March 1, 2022 at 11:39 am

      Haha. True that. But it’s great that you do it even if you are not too regular.

      • Reply
        Jais
        March 4, 2022 at 11:25 am

        Great idea. thanks

  • Reply
    Grace This Place
    February 28, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    This is great! I have journaled off and on since I was a child and recently started another one. I call it my reckless prayer journal ♥️ All about the reckless dreams and prayers that I have and how God is working in my life. Thank you for the tips to improve!

  • Reply
    Dusty
    February 28, 2022 at 7:31 pm

    Great article! I have Journaling for awhile now & it helps me clear my head when writing my thoughts out. Thank you for sharing!

    • Reply
      Jais
      March 1, 2022 at 11:37 am

      Great. I agree. I find it really helpful in clearing my mind.

  • Reply
    Deanna | Life By Deanna
    February 28, 2022 at 11:30 pm

    I have recently started bullet journaling! I find it so fun and I use stickers to make it easier since I’m not super artsy!

    • Reply
      Jais
      March 1, 2022 at 11:36 am

      That’s wonderful. When you add fun to the activity, it becomes more interesting and effective.

  • Reply
    Cheryl Weeks
    March 1, 2022 at 1:17 am

    Great article, I have always wanted to start journaling

  • Reply
    Patrick
    July 2, 2022 at 8:16 pm

    Bullet journalling is the way to go for me!

  • Reply
    Ranjeeta Nath Ghai
    July 15, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    I absolutely agree with you on this… when the world seems to be falling apart, keeping a journal helps you keep calm. It is a form of self-care that can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. A journal can be a space for you to vent all your frustrations, worries, and fears. It can also be a place to track your progress and reflect on your successes. No matter what you use it for, a journal is a great tool for managing stress.

  • Reply
    Anjali Tripathi
    July 17, 2022 at 4:40 pm

    Started journaling this year as a new year resolution. I totally agree with all your pointers, Journaling is an incredibly beneficial self-care technique, that not only improves feelings of happiness, but also reduces stress, clarifies thoughts and feelings, and ultimately helps you get to know yourself better. Worth sharing this with friends.

  • Reply
    Amy Singh
    July 18, 2022 at 9:19 am

    I used to do it in my school and college time, in-fact when I was new to the to Corporate world. It helped me alot to streamline things and keeping track on goals.

  • Reply
    Manisha Garg
    July 18, 2022 at 12:02 pm

    I always wanted to start journalling, this post is like a reminder there is n right time, you just need to give it a start. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    Akta Sehgal
    July 18, 2022 at 9:00 pm

    agree to all that you have mentioned, have been journaling since a child and inculcating this habit in my kid too. This habit has actually helped me write my poems and stores too

  • Reply
    Cindy D'Silva
    July 18, 2022 at 10:03 pm

    I’m a journal freak. I used to keep writing something everyday. Until my husband came into my life. Lol. Now i buy journals and don’t have the heart to ‘dirty’ them.

  • Reply
    Sindhu Vinod Narayan
    July 19, 2022 at 12:28 pm

    I have one but have been postponing this. This post is a reminder for me to get that’s starting. Thanks for sharing this with us.

  • Reply
    Sweety Joshi
    July 19, 2022 at 6:57 pm

    Gratitude Journal is my kind of thing. This make me feel happy and grateful. I really feel nice just by doing this. Beautiful post you have written.

  • Reply
    Khushboo
    July 20, 2022 at 4:05 am

    I need to start journaling. Journaling is important and I always think of doing it and I forget but after reading this post I really will start doing it.

  • Reply
    Meenakshi Kaur
    July 20, 2022 at 9:39 pm

    Wow it’s really an amazing article. It’s so well explained and helpful that I will definitely going to share it with my fellow friends. I always try to write but other tasks occupy me. But you really motivated me Thankyou

  • Reply
    Estelle
    August 28, 2024 at 4:58 pm

    I journal everyday to make me feel better and less stressed, only problem I found with this is when I do my mind dump on the paper I talk about things I can’t share with anyone or talk loudly about. But how must I feel in regarding to my journal being my privacy, that someone would go and read everything without concent? I’m scared now because of that to fully be open in my journal again.

    • Reply
      Jais
      September 1, 2024 at 5:36 pm

      If privacy is the issue then I would recommend 2 things.
      1. Either you use a digital journal or
      2. Destroy the sheets by either burning them or tearing them off, once you are done

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