Getting Started Journaling
Journaling is one of the top habits I recommend to people to become more clear with who they are and what’s really going on. We live so much of our life fitting in other people’s boxes, journaling helps us break out of them. You’ll be amazed the boxes you break out of when you put your voice on the pages of a journal.
When getting started, journaling may or may not come natural to you. For some, the routines, responsibilites and ryhthms of life can get in the way of expression. We become so accustomed to the grind that we lose touch with who we are and what we’re actually thinking. Years can go by and before you know it, you don’t even know yourself. I had a gap of journaling in my mid 20s. I went from someone who could write pages effortlessly to not being able to write one sentence in my journal. I had to work through the disappointment of those first few weeks as I struggled to write just one personal sentence that expressed what was going on inside of me. Depending on your experience in school you may also be blocked in expressing yourself. I want to encourage you that there’s no regulation in the journaling space. You’re free to write as you please; it only has to make sense to you. It’s your secret garden. Only if you want to cut a flower off and bring to someone do you have to. Other than that, nothing else has to come from your journal.
If you’re wanting to get started but the blank pages staring at you are intimidating, narrowing the focus can help you get going.
Here’s eight different journal types you could start today:
The Daily Journal: This is the journal you just write whatever. Your feelings, your mishaps, your fears, your joys, your thoughts. Just whatever comes to mind, write it. Whether 3 words or 300 sentences, there are no rules.
The Dream Journal: If you’re a heavy dreamer when you sleep, writing your dreams down can prove to be beneficial. This can also be the other type of dream journal- the one where you lay out our hopes and aspirations. A vision has to start somewhere.
The Business Journal: This journal can be for the person growing in their career or the entrepreneur. The goal of this journal is for you to consistently assess what’s going well and where you can grow. Document your goals, your process, your reflections and take time to analyze your journey in this type of journal.
The Legacy Journal: Did you ever think about keeping a journal for someone else? I have three different notebooks for my children where I document special thoughts and memories about them. I want them to have a memory of me in their real time childhood. Consider starting a journal to pass on to a loved one in your life.
The Night Journal: This is the one where you lay it all down before you go to sleep. If you stay up thinking at night, consider journaling instead and intentionally laying your burdens down before laying your head down.
The Gratitude Journal: This can be an easy start. Write one-three things you’re grateful for each day. The perspective shift that comes through this practice is notable.
The Prayer Journal: There are times where written prayers flow easier than spoken ones. While there’s a need for both, consider seasons where you write your prayers out in addition to speaking them. Don’t forget to write the answers too!
As far as what you use, getting started is more important than what it looks like. You can get started journaling with whatever notebook you have nearby. If you’re looking for a fresh start, here is a list of some of my favorite journaling supplies- all budget friendly.
Check out the Journaling 101 E-Book a simple guide to get you started in your journaling journey.
Papermate InkJoy Gel Pens: While a black pen is my default, I love having colors on hand.
Bible Study Supplies Journaling Kit: Technically a bible study kit but can still be used for journaling. It comes with a spiral notebook, highlighters, cross shaped paper clips, transparent sticky notes (the best!), and more. It’s a great deal and an easy way to get everything at once.
Stationary Set: A smaller package than number 2, this one comes with three stylish notebooks, a tower of transparent sticky notes, and some pens. It’s a beautifully styled package. Great for gifts too!
The Annecy Ruled Journal: This one is my all time favorite journal. It comes in so many different colors and usually retails between $4-$6 on Amazon. What sold me on this journal: there’s an index in the front. For really important journal entries I’m able to mark them in the index for easy reference.
Value pack of colorful spiral notebooks: This is just too easy of a deal. You get an array of colors and can have a supply of notebooks on hand. Great for the one who likes bigger pages and for the one who is wanting to have a few different journals on hands.
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