How To Start Journaling

Writing is tremendously therapeutic for me. Whether I’ve had a good or bad day it’s apart of my daily routine. You can write in a journal, an old spiral, hell write on a napkin for all I care—just start—you will thank me later. I’ve always been big on writing things down since I was a small child —making lists were always fun. A daily to-do list, a wish list of all the toys I wanted, or a grocery list, if I could spell it I was writing it down on paper. My love for writing ultimately became my passion. Although I love writing I didn’t start taking journaling seriously until the start of the pandemic in 2020. Life quickly became more overwhelming than normal and I needed an outlet. When I write I bare my entire soul and it gets very personal very quickly, it’s truly an intimate experience. If my hands didn’t start to cramp up reminding me to sit the pen down I’d probably write to no end. There is no incorrect way to journal, you can journal how your day went ,vent to yourself, write letters to people you personally know or use it as time to simply self reflect, the decision is completely up to you. Two of the easiest ways to begin journaling is to first figure out where you want to put your thoughts, it can be traditional journaling through an actual journal where you physically write out your thoughts, your smartphone notes app can be used, or you can type out journal entries on your laptop or desktop computer. Secondly you want to have a set time you write each day, it can be morning or nighttime. Everyone’s schedule is different some are busier than others and that’s okay, during any down time you have... just start. I prefer to write in my gratitude journal in the morning to begin my day with thankfulness. At night I write in a separate journal that is sorta for venting and a summary of my feelings for the day. Adding journaling to my daily routine has helped me balance and control my thoughts and feelings immensely. When I'm experiencing anxiety and unsettling thoughts I always feel comfort after expressing my thoughts through writing.The end of the year is quickly approaching and it's the perfect time to begin journaling, it can give you insight going into a new year and be a tool of reflection as you read back your earliest journal entries later into the upcoming year. I hope today you choose to begin journaling, you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

All ways always with love,

Shakihya Monique