How to start a journal is a question people often ask at major calendar events such as before New Year, new school year or trips. Or maybe you’ve heard there are many benefits of journaling and want to know more. This post is a guide for beginners to help you start writing in a journal and discover what brings you joy in the world of journaling. There are many different styles of journal writing, so give yourself permission to make your journal a space where you can focus on you.
The simplest way to begin is to grab a notebook, paper, or open a text file on your computer and just start writing about your thoughts and feelings. But even that simplicity can be intimidating when it is a new activity. The best way is to start simple, because you can always expand your approach or style in the future.
I’ve written a journal for over thirty years and I’m going to share what I’ve learnt. However, I want you to remember there is more than one way to journal. The only correct way is the way that works for you.
I hope these tips will help you think less about the details of how to start and motivates you to just start.
Why start journaling
There are so many benefits of writing a journal that I’ve written a post focused on why you should write a journal, they include, it:
- reduces stress and worry
- improves you mood
- increases your focus and memory
- is a record of your life
Why do you want to write a journal
It is important to know why do you want to start a journal. What inspired you to research starting journaling? Knowing this will make it easier for you to approach your journal entries and develop a journaling habit. You may have a specific reason such as wanting to feel more grateful or helping or you may be keen to experiment to see how introducing a journaling practice can support your mental health. Any reason is valid as journaling is about you.
If you’re not sure what your reason for starting a journal is, try answering these questions, in fact you could use them as journaling prompts for your first entry:
- Why do I want to write a journal?
- What do I hope to get out of it or achieve with it?
- How will a journal help me?
What do you need to start a journal
The first thing you need to decide is if you want to keep a digital or physical journal. The common recommendation is writing a journal by hand is more beneficial. My view is to use which ever format is more convenient and appealing to you.
Handwritten journal
For a handwritten journal you need a notebook, or paper, and a pen. Some people recommend using a luxury notebook, so you look forward to writing in it. Although I understand the suggestion, I worry this could delay you starting as you wait to find the perfect notebook. Or when you have a notebook you may be intimidated by its beauty. It is absolutely fine to use any notebook you have to hand, or even paper that you store in a folder.
Although you can use any notebook, there are also different journaling books you can buy. When you’re starting your first journal you may find these useful because some of them provide ideas about what to write about and some provide a defined space for each day. There are also specific journals for children which can be nice gifts if they’ve shown an interest in writing.
Digital journal
There are a number of advantages of keeping a digital journal. You can write your thoughts from almost anywhere, you can search your writing easily, and you can easily add links and photos. But downsides are using a screen and potential distractions.
The simplest way to keep a digital journal is to use note keeping or word processing software on your computer or phone. e.g. Google Docs, Evernote. Dedicated journal writing software also exists for both computer and phone.
Blogging originated as an online journal (web-log). However, from my experience blogging and journaling are different, mainly because blogging is not private, but also because there is more focus on influence than personal insight.
How to start a journal
What to write about
You may have a goal for your journaling so know exactly what you want to write about. But don’t worry if you don’t, that means you can experiment and find the style that excites and supports you. There are lots of different topics you can write about, and you can mix them all up in one notebook. It is your journal, so you can write whatever you want to. You can also mix up the style of your journal entries as well, perhaps going from lists to drawings to mindmaps. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- gratitude journal – write lists of things you’re grateful for
- how you’re feeling e.g. what are you worrying about, what you’re looking forward to
- things you’ve learnt during the day
- what you’ve done during the day
- to-do lists – what you want to achieve and the progress you’ve made
- dream journal
- art journal
Writing the first page
One of the early difficulties of starting a journal is dealing with the blank first page . It can look frightening but instead, think of it as the doorway to an exciting record of your life. Here are some ideas to get you started, but you want more look at my list of ideas for the first page of your journal or notebook.
- leave the first page blank (if you find this difficult tell yourself you will fill it with an index or summary of the journal when you have finished the book)
- write about why you want to keep a journal and what you want to achieve
- write a summary of your current situation such as where you live, your job and relationship status
- complete a short questionnaire about yourself, such as age, height, weight, goals, role models
- write an introduction as if you were meeting someone for the first time
When to write
The most common times to write are first thing in the morning and just before sleeping, but you can write whenever you want. If taking a few minutes during your lunch break works for you, write in the middle of the day.
The morning is meant to be good to help you prepare for the day, with fewer distractions in your mind. While the evening can help you process the day and calm your head before going to sleep.
There is no such thing as the perfect journaling time, only what works best for you. Experiment with different times and decide which works for you, or if you want to write at different times for different reasons. For example in the morning to focus on what you want to achieve and in the evening to clear your head.
How Often to write in a journal
This is personal choice and will link to the reason you want to journal. Don’t worry about making it a daily habit. Just because people talk about daily journals doesn’t mean you need to write every day, you could weekly or after specific events. You create a journaling process that meets the reason you want to start and fits your life. And remember you don’t always have to write a lot, you could just write a couple of sentences.
How to build a regular journal habit
Making the decision to start a journal is easier than actually forming a daily journaling habit. I know from personal experience having written on and off for many years. It may take a few attempts to embed regular writing, so don’t worry if you miss a few days, just start again the next day. You don’t even need to attempt to catch up, just start from where you are and don’t feel guilty about it.
- Remember why you want to write a journal, what you want to get out of it
- Find the best time for you, and leave your journal out as a visible reminder
- Try different journaling techniques to see which you enjoy the most
- Habit stack by attaching journal writing to another habit you already have in place, for example writing as you drink your morning tea
- On days when you feel tired or rushed still write something even if it is just you’re tired and are going to bed early.
- Look for inspiration from other journal writers*
- Start small and achievable as writing one sentence each day is better than writing a page one and nothing for several months. This will help you build up a consistent habit and on some days you may decide to write more, and on other days you may want to stick to one sentence or two.
- Set a timer for a defined number of minutes per day when you’ll write. This will help you focus on your writing as you don’t think too much because you don’t have time to wait for the perfect idea
- Approach journal writing as an experiment, where you write every day for a month. Then you review how it went and if you want to make any changes to your journaling process.
- If you don’t know what to write about, start by writing I don’t know what to write about and see what happens next.
- Try using writing prompts to inspire your writing
Journal writing advice
Journal writing is about you and your journaling journey will be different to mine. I don’t believe there are any rules when it come to journaling and as you do more writing you’ll start to find your preferences. However, I do have some advice:
- date your entries at the top of the page
- add location details, such as where you are when you write and the name of places you visit
- take a deep breath before starting
- be honest, don’t lie to yourself
- trust your journal is a safe space
- it is okay to ramble, this is part of processing your thoughts
- don’t worry about spelling or grammar; write quickly without editing
- don’t compare your journal to the online pictures of bullet journals – there are many types of journals and some include art and some don’t.
- don’t worry about your handwriting
If I were to pick one thing as a rule, it is journaling should not feel like a chore. If you’re not enjoying writing try a different journal option. For example, consider writing at a different time of day, using a different medium or using prompts.
Remember there is no wrong way to journal, including the day you start it does not need to be the first of January. The important thing is to start your journal when you want to start it.
*Disclosure – this post includes affiliate links which means if you buy something after following a link I will earn a propotion of the sale. It does not cost you anything extra.
This year I am doubling my Moleskine Day Planner and my journal all in one. That way, I only need to carry one journal and its always with me.
Feli,
That is a great idea. Unfortunately I don’t think I would be happy doing that as I have a tendency to leave my organiser on my desk at work when I’m in meetings!
I can only remember once having a journal I carried with me. Perhaps I should try it again.
[…] a personal journalIdeas on how to start a journal, including what you can include on the 1st pagehttp://enz.1c3.mytemp.website/darktea/blog/writing/how-to-start-a-personal-journal/How to start a personal journal blog to discoveryHow to start a personal journal. If you&39re new […]
Informative article. I like Journal Writing, and currently use ‘Forever Journal’ to write. It’s quality journal writing software for me, quite easy to use. You can find it on http://www.sharewarecheap.com/Forever-Journal_software_588.html
Software downloads,
Thank you for the link to Forever Journal. It is actually some software I have come across previously, but didn’t feel it was appropriate for my need. I have previously done a big internet search looking for software and you see my list http://enz.1c3.mytemp.website/darktea/blog/writing/journal-writing-software/
[…] Originally published at Blog to discovery […]
I started a bullet journal but then I wrote in some song lyrics. Then I ranted a bit. Then added some of my art. So I don’t know what my journal is anymore
Hello Jane, it sounds like your journal is your journal in your style. I started a bullet journal towards the end of last year but I keep it separate to my personal journal which stays next to my bed while my bullet journal I carry around with me.
I have a travel journal … I got it because it is cute and bulky but I don’t travel… is it possible to use it for something else
Hello,
It is a travel journal because of the cover or does it have sections inside for each trip you go on. If the first you can use it for anything, but if you want to keep it travel related how about writing about the places you have been or the places you want to go.
[…] them constructively deal with stress and anxiety. Some healthy coping mechanisms include exercise, journaling, and talking to someone they […]