I Finished My Tenth Journal
And I Have Figured Out How To Stick With Journaling
How did this happen!? Who am I!?
The person who once dreaded the act of journaling just finished her tenth journal.
Now that's a milestone. And I am proud of myself.
I have been dabbling with writing in a journal all my life. But it wasn't until 2018 that I took it seriously.
I have learned a lot about myself and journaling with 12 journals under my belt (ten journals and two gratitude journals). And it has helped me make sense of life.
I know many of you out there want to journal but end up facing several roadblocks.
Listed below are my ten tips that have helped me stick to a journaling routine. I hope they help you as well.
Start Small
Writing your thoughts in a journal can feel daunting. So it's better to start off with something small and manageable.
When I started journaling, I started with a gratitude journal. Every night, I would note down the things I was grateful for that day. And if I didn't find anything worth noting, I'd simply write "Today was a good day," irrespective of how south it went.
This helped me get used to the act of putting my thoughts on paper and looking for the positive in the day.
Have No Expectations
Anne Frank once wrote in her diary - Paper is more patient than man.
That quote holds water.
The paper is there, waiting patiently for you to write whatever you feel like writing. It has no grand expectations from you other than helping you discover yourself.
Same way, don't keep any unrealistic expectations from yourself to create a magnum opus out of your journal. Your only job with your journal is to write your thoughts down. Even if you write just one sentence.
Find That Perfect Journal And Pen
One of the most foolish choices I made as a beginner journaler (yeah, I invented that word) was to buy the cheapest journal.
I wasn't confident in myself to journal regularly. And I thought when one journals, the paper usually goes to waste.
BAD IDEA!
My journaling habit took a turn for the better when I found the right journal and pen for me.
For me, it turned out to be a square-ish, spiral, hardcover notebook with 70GSM paper quality and a five-rupee ball-pen. My pen just glides over the paper.
It doesn't have to be anything expensive or fancy. All that matters is that you have fun writing in it and writing with it.
Write Whatever Comes To Your Head
There will be days where you have nothing on your mind but your to-do list. That's great! Write it down in your journal.
But since this is your journal and not another copy of your bullet point to-do list, explain to the journal why you have to do those stuff. How is it going to help you? How do you feel about doing those errands? Find solutions for chores that bore the hell out of you. Over time, you'll get your answers.
Journal = Private And Cheaper Therapist
The best perk of journaling is it allows you to open the flood gates to your heart and mind.
Write about whatever annoys you. Write about whatever surprises you. Write about whatever gives you hope.
You are free to swear. You are free to pour out all your anger. You are free to cry out all your tears.
Just like a loving and caring therapist, the journal will never judge you.
Keep The Journal Close By
My journal sits on my desk, right next to the keyboard.
That way, I am constantly reminded of its presence and its importance in my life.
Try To Write Every Day
One of the reasons you want to keep the journal close by is to make you write in it every day.
Like any activity in our lives, you want to turn your journaling into a regular habit.
You can't expect to understand all the mysteries of your heart and mind in the first sitting.
Like an archaeologist, you have to keep digging and brushing away dust until you reach the treasure buried inside you.
And that can only happen if you work at it every day.
That being said...
It's Okay To Skip (With Conditions Applied)
Here's a confession - I don't write every day. *collective gasp*
And it's TOTALLY fine!
Do you know why? Because life happens.
There are days where I simply don't get the time or space to sit with my journal. Then there are days where I might have the time but don't have the mental capacity to write.
On those days, I forgive myself for not journaling.
But there is one condition.
I may not journal, but I HAVE TO write in my gratitude journal. Just bullet points are fine.
Sticky Notes To The Rescue
I have noticed that when I am super busy with some work, my mind comes up with thoughts I would love to journal about.
But I am not free at that moment to indulge in some journaling.
So what do I do?
Sticky notes are the answer!
I quickly jot down the thought on a sticky note before I lose and stick it on the next new page.
That way, when I open my journal next time, I can see the sticky note and remind myself of that thought.
Sticky notes have saved my day a lot of times.
Monthly Review
This is another great habit I started back in 2018.
At the end of every month, I make myself a cup of coffee and read through that month's journal entries.
This act helps me gauge my thoughts and moods throughout the month and the reasons behind them. We don't have everything in our control, but we do have control over how we react. With this reflection activity, I can now decide how I would love to make the next month better.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have my 11th journal to crack open. Adiós amigos!
